Jesus' crown of thorns was made from what plant?

ASK THE HORT AGENT

Question Jesus’ crown of thorns was made from what plant?

Answer "Then Pilate took Jesus and scourged him. And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns, and put it on his head. They put on him a purple robe, and said,"Hail, King of the Jews!" and they smote him with their hands. Pilate therefore went forth again and saith unto them, “Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.” Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, “Behold the man!" (The Bible, John ch. 19)

In the past, the thorns of this crown were believed to be large, painful, sharp, and even blinding. Many Bible scholars now believe, although prickly and humiliating, the crown of thorns was not meant to be an instrument of torture. Pilate may have ordered or permitted the mock crowning of Christ, hoping to inspire enough pity in the hearts of the Jewish mob to save Jesus’ life.

Approximately 2,000 years ago when Jesus was crucified by the Romans, there were a couple thorny plants commonly found around Israel. One shrub, Sarcopoterium spinosum or spiny burnet, is abundant around Jerusalem. Spiny burnet is a flexible plant, and it would be easy to weave a crown out of the plants.

The second potential plant has been a food source throughout history. It is called the jujube tree. Its botanical name is Ziziphus spina-christi.

King Louis IX, of France, purchased a relic believed to be Christ's crown of thorns. He built the Sainte Chapelle in Paris to house it along with other relics of the Passion of Christ. Thorns from the crown were given to various churches and one still exists in the British Museum. These thorns come from a jujube tree.

Unfortunately, Ziziphus spina-christi will not grow well in the United States. However, there are other similar species which grow well. Ziziphus zizyphus, the Chinese jujube, will survive temperatures down to -24 degrees F and tolerates wet or dry soils. This jujube tree produces large crops of fruit every year, and has no known insect or disease problems. Jujube flowers are small and inconspicuous yet fragrant in the spring. Jujube trees should be purchased dormant during fall and winter, because they do not grow well in containers. The Chinese jujube tree can be found at nurseries on the internet.

Another species, Ziziphus jujuba, can be used for more ornamental applications. It still produces fruit, but may not be as consistent. NC State has a website where more info can be found http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/trees-new/ziziphus_jujuba.html

Gardeners’ comments about growing jujube trees range from invasive to slow growing.

For more info on biblical plants, visit http://www.odu.edu/~lmusselm/plant/bible/allbibleplantslist.php If you don’t have internet access, call me at 910-893-7533 or email me at gpierce@harnett.org

As Christians celebrate Easter, the crown of thorns plays its symbolic part in the story. Living plants, often viewed as symbols of resurrection, can remind us of the thorny past as well as the happy ending.

Gary L. Pierce

Horticulture Extension Agent

Harnett County