

Written by Benoît Santos - Updated on Oct 27, 2024
The crown of thorns that Jesus wore on his head before his crucifixion added to the depth of all the suffering he was already enduring. But this crown quickly became a powerful symbol of his humility .
For believing Christians, the crown of thorns is an important image of their faith in Jesus Christ . There are also prayers that pay direct homage to this symbol...
In this article, we invite you to discover:
- The crown of thorns: a symbol of suffering and humiliation
- The crown of thorns: what does it mean for Christians ?
- Prayers to the Holy Crown of Thorns
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Without further ado, let’s discover the meaning of the crown of thorns !
The crown of thorns: a symbol of suffering and humiliation
The crown of thorns is an iconic symbol of the Passion of Christ . In ancient Rome, soldiers who performed acts of bravery were decorated with an oak crown (or civic crown). This crown was only given to soldiers who had saved the life of a Roman citizen. Possession of a civic crown was a great honor, and those lucky enough to have one wore it proudly.
The oak crown was a very honorary symbol in ancient Rome. It was carved in such a way that it took the shape of a circle. The Roman soldiers tried to reproduce this shape when they placed the crown of thorns on Jesus' head . The soldiers had no intention of honoring Christ with this gesture, but rather of mocking him in a completely ironic way.

These events are recounted in detail in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and John. When Jesus was brought to the place of his execution, the soldiers first thought of mocking him. They placed a crown of thorns on his head . Instead of a scepter, they placed a cane in his hand. The soldiers then knelt before him, mockingly taunting him: "Hail, King of the Jews!"
The crown, which was considered a symbol of majesty and dignity, was now used to denigrate, humiliate and torture.
The crown of thorns: what does it mean for Christians?
For Christ - followers , the crown of thorns is the effective symbol of Jesus' kingship. Despite being humiliated and tortured by those he came to save, Jesus demonstrated that he was the King and the Messiah , the servant whom God had sent. He willingly surrendered himself to death. He was numbered with the transgressors. He took upon himself the sins of men and interceded for the guilty.
In His great humility, Jesus accepted suffering and humiliation. The crowning of thorns on Him was an act of extreme mockery. The soldiers and the crowd continued to mock Him until His crucifixion . But even while dying on the cross , Jesus revealed all His glory and greatness. He overcame His oppressors, subdued death, set darkness in motion, and defeated sin. And all this out of love.
The crown of thorns symbolizes humility that becomes strength, defeat that becomes a royal triumph, and suffering that becomes a great victory. It is a message of hope and salvation for all of us.
For Catholic believers , the crown of thorns is a holy object that contributed directly to the Passion of Christ. Thus, it is possible to recite a prayer in homage to this crown, a symbol of Christ's humility.
Prayer to the Holy Crown of Thorns
"O Daughters of Zion, brides of God Himself, virgins, His temple and His palace, come and see the cruel Diadem of the Savior with which ungrateful Judea has paid for His benefits. The thorny prickles of a wild branch pierce the Head of the King of Heaven : Blood flows in long streams on His Face, pain and death are painted in His Eyes. What cursed field covered with bristling brambles has produced this dreadful branch? What monster has the points of this wood piled up to bruise the flesh of the immortal Lamb? Your Blood draws from it, O Christ, flowers all divine; the rose is born from these thickets: and if to insult You, your Brow is girded with thorns, the thorn is your Triumph and changes into laurels. Our sins have sown these thorns so cruel and our evils Your pains: but by uprooting our mortal thorns, substitute on this day Yours in our hearts. Reign with the Holy Spirit, Father arbiter of the World and You, Christ, His living splendor which by Your holy thorn in miracles fruitful on the soul and on the body signals your Greatness. Amen."
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