John 19:3

And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.

And said, Hail, King of the Jews! - doing Him derisive homage in the form used on approaching the emperors (see also, on the same derisive epithet, page 472).

And they smote him with their hands. Matthew says "they spit upon Him, and took the reed, and smote Him on the head" (see ). The best comment on these affecting details is to cover the face.