The Astonishing Coronation of the King of the Universe

The Passion is not “tragedy first, kingship later.”

It unfolds as a complete coronation—with every required stage: public recognition, sacred claim, examination, investiture, enthronement, judgment, death, burial, vindication, gifts, and admission into the Kingdom.

1. Royal Entry Into the City

What happens in the Bible

Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey. Cloaks and branches are laid down. He is hailed with messianic language. (Matt 21; Mark 11; Luke 19; John 12)

How it relates to coronation

A king’s reign begins with public reception and acclamation.

Meaning in ritual

The people recognize the rightful ruler.

Meaning in Christianity

He accepts kingship openly—peaceful, Davidic, and true.

2. Claiming the Sacred Center

What happens in the Bible

Jesus goes to the Temple and purifies it. (Matt 21; Mark 11; Luke 19)

How it relates to coronation

A king must claim authority over the realm’s worship and sacred order.

Meaning in ritual

Purification asserts legitimate rule under God.

Meaning in Christianity

Christ claims the Temple because He is its fulfillment and Lord.

3. The Covenant Feast With His Inner Council

What happens in the Bible

The Last Supper: Jesus gathers the Twelve and establishes the Eucharist. (Matt 26; Mark 14; Luke 22; 1 Cor 11)

How it relates to coronation

Kings seal rule through a covenant meal with closest advisors.

Meaning in ritual

Loyalty, succession, and the kingdom’s “inner order” are established.

Meaning in Christianity

The King gives Himself—His Body and Blood—as the Kingdom’s living center.

4. Private Acceptance of Kingship Before God

What happens in the Bible

Gethsemane: Jesus submits His will to the Father. (Matt 26; Mark 14; Luke 22)

How it relates to coronation

Every coronation has a hidden acceptance of the burden of rule.

Meaning in ritual

Authority is received, not seized.

Meaning in Christianity

His kingship is obedience unto death—love as sovereign power.

5. Examination by Religious Authority

What happens in the Bible

Jesus is questioned by the high priest and council about His identity and authority. (Matt 26; Mark 14; Luke 22; John 18)

How it relates to coronation

Religious leaders test legitimacy: “Who are you, and by what right?”

Meaning in ritual

This trial functions as formal recognition or formal rejection.

Meaning in Christianity

They reject Him as King—yet their charges accidentally state the truth.

6. Examination by Roman Authority

What happens in the Bible

Pilate interrogates Jesus about kingship: “Are you the King of the Jews?” (John 18; Luke 23; Matt 27; Mark 15)

How it relates to coronation

Universal kingship meets the world’s highest political power.

Meaning in ritual

The ruler’s claim must confront imperial judgment.

Meaning in Christianity

Christ’s Kingdom is “not of this world,” yet judges and outlasts every empire.

7. Examination by Herod

What happens in the Bible

Pilate sends Jesus to Herod. Herod questions Him, mocks Him, and sends Him back. (Luke 23)

How it relates to coronation

A king is tested by regional rulers and court power—another layer of political scrutiny.

Meaning in ritual

The claimant passes through competing authorities.

Meaning in Christianity

The King is treated as entertainment—yet remains silent, sovereign, and unbroken.

8. Investiture by the World

What happens in the Bible

Roman soldiers robe Jesus, mock Him, give Him a reed, set a crown of thorns, and hail Him as king. (Matt 27; Mark 15; John 19)

How it relates to coronation

Robe + crown + scepter + acclamation are classic regalia actions.

Meaning in ritual

Investiture marks the ruler publicly—symbols “do the work” even when wielded in contempt.

Meaning in Christianity

Mockery becomes involuntary enthronement: the world crowns the King it refuses to obey.

9. Purification of the King

What happens in the Bible

Jesus is scourged; His blood is poured out; later, blood and water flow from His side. (John 19)

How it relates to coronation

Coronations include purification—water, oil, blood—preparing the ruler to stand between God and the people.

Meaning in ritual

Purification consecrates the king for rule.

Meaning in Christianity

Christ’s purification is sacrificial and total: He becomes the offering.

10. Public Title and Proclamation

What happens in the Bible

The public inscription is set: “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” (John 19)

How it relates to coronation

A king’s title is formally declared.

Meaning in ritual

The reign is defined in writing and displayed.

Meaning in Christianity

Even Rome publishes His kingship as it executes Him.

11. Royal Procession

What happens in the Bible

Jesus carries the Cross through the city. (John 19; Luke 23)

How it relates to coronation

Kings are processed before enthronement.

Meaning in ritual

The ruler is displayed; the realm witnesses the transfer of authority.

Meaning in Christianity

The King carries His own throne—rule revealed through burden-bearing love.

12. Enthronement on High

What happens in the Bible

Jesus is lifted up on the Cross. (John 3:14; John 12:32; John 19)

How it relates to coronation

Enthronement elevates the king as judge over the people.

Meaning in ritual

Height is authority; visibility is dominion.

Meaning in Christianity

The Cross is the throne where divine love reigns in public.

13. The King Judges and Forgives

What happens in the Bible

From the Cross: forgiveness, mercy, promise of paradise, and sovereign decisions. (Luke 23; John 19)

How it relates to coronation

A king must exercise judgment from the throne.

Meaning in ritual

Judgment confirms real authority.

Meaning in Christianity

His kingship is mercy without weakness and justice without cruelty.

14. Death: The King “Dies to the World”

What happens in the Bible

Jesus truly dies. (John 19; Luke 23)

How it relates to coronation

This step is unique: it completes the transfer from worldly rule to eternal rule.

Meaning in ritual

The old order’s claim ends decisively.

Meaning in Christianity

The Kingdom is established by self-gift—love stronger than death.

15. Burial of the King

What happens in the Bible

He is laid in a tomb; the burial is public, real, and final in human terms. (John 19; Matt 27)

How it relates to coronation

Burial seals the death and removes ambiguity.

Meaning in ritual

Legitimacy is verified: the world cannot say “it was only appearance.”

Meaning in Christianity

He enters fully into death to redeem it from within.

16. Resurrection: Return of the Divine King

What happens in the Bible

Jesus rises bodily. (Matt 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20–21)

How it relates to coronation

No empire does this. Rome deifies the dead; Christ returns alive.

Meaning in ritual

This is vindication—God’s public confirmation of the King.

Meaning in Christianity

He does not become King; He is revealed as Lord.

17. Sharing Victory With His People

What happens in the Bible

Peace is given, faith is strengthened, forgiveness is commissioned, the Eucharistic life continues. (John 20; Luke 24; Acts)

How it relates to coronation

Kings distribute the benefits of victory.

Meaning in ritual

The kingdom becomes tangible for its subjects.

Meaning in Christianity

The spoils are not gold—His life, His peace, His Spirit.

18. Ascension: The King Takes His Seat

What happens in the Bible

Jesus ascends to the Father and reigns. (Acts 1)

How it relates to coronation

A king takes his seat to govern.

Meaning in ritual

Rule becomes established, not momentary.

Meaning in Christianity

Christ’s reign is universal and permanent.

19. Royal Gifts: The Spirit Given

What happens in the Bible

Pentecost: the Holy Spirit is poured out. (Acts 2)

How it relates to coronation

Kings empower their kingdom with delegated authority.

Meaning in ritual

The reign extends through appointed representatives.

Meaning in Christianity

The King gives God Himself—power for holiness and mission.

20. Admission of Citizens Into the Kingdom

What happens in the Bible

Baptism, forgiveness, adoption, a new people formed. (Matt 28; Acts 2)

How it relates to coronation

After enthronement comes citizenship: entry rites, allegiance, new identity.

Meaning in ritual

A kingdom is not complete until people can join it.

Meaning in Christianity

The King opens His Kingdom to the nations.

Conclusion

The Passion is a coronation in full: entry, sacred claim, covenant meal, acceptance, examination, investiture, purification, enthronement, judgment, death, burial, vindication, gifts, and citizenship.

Human kingdoms crown by force and preserve themselves by killing threats.

Christ is crowned by suffering, enthroned on the Cross, reigns by forgiveness, defeats death by dying, and then shares His victory with His people—so they can enter His Kingdom and live in it.