The Robe

The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas is an historical novel published in 1942. It is the story of the crucifixion of Jesus and was one of the bestselling books of the 1940s, spending almost a full year at the top of the New York Times book list. Douglas was a member of the ministry and did not embark on a career as a writer until leaving it when he was fifty-two. His body of work, including short stories and essays, in addition to novels, leans heavily on his religious roots for plots and themes.

Central to the novel is the Roman who won the robe of Jesus at his crucifixion. Some of the characters are historical figures, such as the Roman Emperor Tiberius and Little Boots, his adopted grandson. Biblical characters that are featured include Peter and John. The tale begins with a worried Marcellus. Marcellus is apprehensive because he laughed at Prince Gaius at a dinner. His punishment for this is becoming the commander of Minoa, where people who are about to be exiled are sent. While at Minoa, Marcellus is assigned to go to Jerusalem during Passover. It turns out to be the Passover during which Jesus is crucified and Marcellus is placed in charge of the crucifixion. He believes that Jesus is innocent so feels conflicted about carrying out his assignment. Marcellus wins the robe of Jesus in a gambling game. He is taunted into putting it on, but quickly removes it and a depression falls over him.

Diana is in love with Marcellus. On his behalf, she is able to get Emperor Tiberius to end Marcellus’s exile in Minoa. When Marcellus returns home, he continues to suffer the ill effects of his actions during Passover and is sent by his family to regain his health in Athens. During his time in Athens, he is able to once again touch the robe with the help of Demetrius, his slave. Marcellus’ touching of the robe restores him to good health. Both Demetrius and Marcellus at this point start learning more about Jesus. Marcellus, following the incident with the robe, is charged with gathering as much knowledge as possible about Jesus. This order comes from Tiberius, as they believe the robe to be in some way haunted.



Marcellus travels around Galilee in this quest for information. He meets some of the followers of Jesus, some of whom are people whom he healed with miracles. Marcellus in time converts to Christianity. The conversion of Marcellus to Christianity angers Tiberius and other Romans. The Emperor then tells Marcellus that he must make a choice between the woman he loves, Diana, and Jesus. Marcellus, forced into a difficult position, selects Jesus. Shortly after this, Emperor Tiberius dies and Little Boots becomes the emperor. It is decided that Diana is to be married to Little Boots, but before this can take place, she escapes. Diana also converts to Christianity. Marcellus is arrested because he did not deny Jesus and he is sentenced to death. Marcellus releases Demetrius, who is able to escape. Marcellus has arranged that the robe be given to Simon Peter. Diana stands beside him with the belief that they will journey to the next world together.

The importance of the robe of Christ in the novel is not as a relic or powerful artifact, but instead, it is a symbol of the life and message of Christ. Those characters who believe in Christianity in the book are compelled to keep their beliefs private. They live their faith through acts and acceptance of others who may differ with them. Douglas does not attempt to show that Christians are superior, especially with respect to their morality. He simply shows that their beliefs help them achieve a new level of understanding and empathy within themselves.

Writing in The New York Times, Catholic priest and bestselling novelist Andrew M. Greeley told of the influence and power of Douglas’ book, “I was in eighth grade, 14 years old, when I read Lloyd C. Douglas's novel The Robe, a story about the Roman officer who crucified Jesus and won his seamless robe in a toss of the dice. Douglas's tale of Marcellus, the officer, Demetrius, his slave, and Diana, his love, had an enormous influence on me. The Robe was the first adult novel I had ever read; it changed my mind about religion, about fiction and about the possible relationship between the two. Douglas was a transition between the adventure stories of childhood (including, I confess it, the Hardy Boys) and the classics of young adulthood (we didn't have teen-agers in those days). I continued to reflect on the relationship between religion and fiction through the years, especially as I devoured in high school so-called Catholic novelists who were much discussed in the Roman Catholic Church in my young adulthood-Graham Greene, Evelyn Waugh, Francois Mauriac, Georges Bernanos, Leon Bloy. Finally, almost 40 years later, when I turned to storytelling of my own, it was a result of a long intellectual and imaginative process that had started with reading The Robe.”