Bible Strands
Matthew 27:35
When they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments by casting lots.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The narrative places Roman soldiers at the moment immediately following Jesus’ execution, as they secure the site and distribute his possessions.
The words — διεμερίσαντο (diemerisanto) translates literally as “they divided,” describing the soldiers’ allocation of Jesus’ clothes. βάλλοντες (ballontes) means “casting,” indicating the method used to determine each soldier’s share.
The thread — This action directly echoes Psalms 22:18, where the psalmist foresees enemies dividing garments and casting lots. The same event is recorded in Mark 15:24 and referenced in Luke 23:34.
Why it lands — The text records a standard military procedure that fulfills an ancient prophecy without editorial commentary. It demands recognition that the crucifixion’s details were historically documented and scripturally aligned.
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
King James Version
And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.
Cross-references
- Psalms 22:18 They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.
- Mark 15:24 And they crucified Him. They also divided His garments by casting lots to decide what each of them would take.
- Luke 23:34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots.
- John 19:23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided His garments into four parts, one for each soldier, with the tunic remaining. It was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.
- Acts 4:10 then let this be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.
- Psalms 22:16 For dogs surround me; a band of evil men encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet.
- John 20:20 After He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
- John 20:27 Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe.”
- John 20:25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands, and put my finger where the nails have been, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe.”