John 19:24

So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it. Instead, let us cast lots to see who will get it.” This was to fulfill the Scripture: “They divided My garments among them, and cast lots for My clothing.” So that is what the soldiers did.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Soldiers at the cross decide what to do with the seamless tunic after dividing Jesus' outer garments. They speak to one another, refusing to tear the tunic and choosing instead to cast lots to determine who receives it.

The words — The text highlights σχίσωμεν (schisōmen), meaning "let us tear it up," paired with μὴ (mē), a negative particle commanding them not to do so. The soldiers resolve to cast lots for the garment rather than divide it.

The thread — The soldiers' action fulfills the written record that they would cast lots for clothing, directly echoing Psalms 22:18. This fulfillment pattern parallels John 19:36 regarding unbroken bones and John 19:28 regarding Jesus' thirst.

Why it lands — The narrative records the soldiers' practical decision to preserve the seamless tunic while demonstrating how their actions execute a written prophecy. It requires the reader to recognize the deliberate alignment of historical event and scriptural text without adding emotional commentary.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

εἶπανeipanThey said οὖνountherefore πρὸςprosto ἀλλήλους·allēlousone another;μὴmēNot σχίσωμενschisōmenlet us tear up αὐτόν,autonit,ἀλλὰallabut λάχωμενlachōmenlet us cast lots περὶperifor αὐτοῦautouit τίνοςtinoswhose ἔσται·estaiit will be;ἵναinathat ἡhēthe γραφὴgraphēScripture πληρωθῇplērōthēamay be fulfilled ἡhēwhat λέγουσα·legousais being spoken:διεμερίσαντοdiemerisantoThey divided τὰtathe ἱμάτιάhimatiagarments μουmouof Mine ἑαυτοῖςhe'autoisamong themselves καὶkaiand ἐπὶepifor τὸνtonthe ἱματισμόνhimatismonclothing μουmouof Mine ἔβαλονebalonthey cast κλῆρον.¶klērona lot.ΟἱHoiThe μὲνmenindeed οὖνountherefore στρατιῶταιstratiōtaisoldiers ταῦταtautathese things ἐποίησαν,epoiēsandid,

King James Version

They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.

Cross-references

Psalms 22:18 They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.
John 19:36 Now these things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of His bones will be broken.”
John 19:28 After this, knowing that everything had now been accomplished, and to fulfill the Scripture, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”
Acts 13:27 The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning Him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath.
John 10:35 If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and the Scripture cannot be broken—
John 12:38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: “Lord, who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
Isaiah 10:7 But this is not his intention; this is not his plan. For it is in his heart to destroy and cut off many nations.