And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights a seemingly casual act – the soldiers dividing Jesus' clothes – as a direct fulfillment of prophecy. This emphasizes how even the mundane actions of his executioners were divinely orchestrated, revealing God's sovereign hand in the midst of immense suffering and injustice.
And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots.
English Standard Version (ESV)
As Jesus is being crucified, the soldiers carry out the brutal custom of dividing his belongings among themselves. This act, though seemingly mundane and a reflection of the soldiers' greed, fulfills ancient prophecy about the Messiah's suffering. After this, the narrative shifts to the mocking and insults Jesus endures from the onlookers and religious leaders, highlighting their rejection of his kingship.
Imagine the scene: the soldiers finish their brutal work, and then, in a jarring display of indifference, they turn to the clothes of the one they just executed. This wasn't just a criminal's final moments; it was a profound act of shame.
The Scandal of the Cross
Crucifixion was the ultimate disgrace. It was a punishment reserved for slaves, rebels, and the worst criminals – not for kings or heroes. The Romans used it to publicly humiliate and terrorize. By choosing this death, Jesus willingly entered into the deepest shame imaginable.
A Public Spectacle of Suffering
The condemned man was often stripped naked, his body exposed to the elements and the jeers of the crowd. The pain was excruciating, amplified by the unnatural position, the tearing of nerves, and the slow progression towards death. It was a death designed to be both agonizing and ignominious, a stark contrast to the divine glory Jesus possessed.
The soldiers casually divided Jesus' belongings, an act that seems insignificant. Yet, Matthew points out this wasn't random; it was a prophecy unfolding right before their eyes.
The Psalm's Prophecy
Matthew intentionally includes this detail to show that Jesus' suffering was not a tragic accident, but a divinely orchestrated fulfillment of ancient prophecy. The specific act of the soldiers casting lots for Jesus' seamless tunic directly mirrors Psalm 22:18: 'They divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.'
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Purpose in the Pain
This wasn't just about the soldiers gaining a few items of clothing. It was about God's Word being proven true, even in the midst of immense cruelty. It underscores that Jesus’ entire life, suffering, and death were part of God's sovereign plan for salvation, demonstrating His foreknowledge and control.
Understand the original words
himation · Greek Noun
External articles of clothing; in the context of the crucifixion, the partitioning of Jesus’ garments fulfills messianic prophecy and highlights His total despoilment and humiliation.
klēros · Greek Noun
A method used in the ancient world to determine outcomes or distribute property, believing the result was overseen by divine providence, used here by the soldiers to divide Jesus’ belongings.
The soldiers' casual act of dividing Jesus' clothes by casting lots was not just a mundane detail of execution, but a direct fulfillment of ancient prophecy found in Psalm 22, highlighting God's sovereign plan even in the midst of suffering.
c. 4 BC
Birth of Jesus
Jesus is born in Bethlehem, fulfilling prophecies about the Messiah's humble origins.
c. AD 28-30
Jesus' Ministry Begins
Jesus begins his public ministry, teaching, healing, and gathering disciples, challenging the religious authorities.
AD 30-33
Jesus' Final Week
Jesus enters Jerusalem triumphantly, shares the Last Supper with his disciples, and is betrayed and arrested.
AD 30-33
Trial and Condemnation
Jesus is tried by Jewish leaders and then by the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, who ultimately condemns him to crucifixion.
AD 30-33— this verse
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus is nailed to a cross and dies a slow, agonizing death, a punishment reserved for the worst criminals.
AD 30-33
Soldiers Divide Garments
The Roman soldiers carry out the execution and, as was customary, divide Jesus' belongings amongst themselves by casting lots.
AD 30-33
Resurrection and Ascension
Three days later, Jesus is resurrected from the dead, appearing to his followers before ascending into heaven.
This verse directly quotes or alludes to Psalm 22:18, which foretells the very action of dividing garments and casting lots for them, showing Jesus' suffering was part of God's prophetic plan.
John 19:23-24This passage from John provides more detail about the soldiers dividing Jesus' garments into four parts and casting lots for his seamless coat, complementing Matthew's account.
Zechariah 12:10This prophecy speaks of a future time when Jerusalem will mourn over someone they have pierced, and in their grief, they will look upon Him whom they have pierced, showing a spiritual fulfillment connected to the piercing of Jesus.
Acts 2:23This passage describes Jesus being delivered up by God's set purpose and foreknowledge, and then crucified and killed by wicked hands, highlighting that even the soldiers' actions were part of God's sovereign plan for salvation.
barnesMatthew 27:35: "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."
And they crucified him - To "crucify" means to put to death on a cross. The "cross" has been described at Matthew 27:32 . The usual manner of the crucifixion was as follows: After the criminal had carried the cross, attended with every possible gibe and insult, to the place of execu…
bensonMatthew 27:35: "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."
Matthew 27:35-36 . And they crucified him — The person crucified was nailed to the cross as it lay on the ground, through each hand, extended to the utmost stretch, and through both the feet together. Then the cross was raised up, and the foot of it thrust with a violent shock into…
The verse highlights a seemingly casual act – the soldiers dividing Jesus' clothes – as a direct fulfillment of prophecy. This emphasizes how even the mundane actions of his executioners were divinely orchestrated, revealing God's sovereign hand in the midst of immense suffering and injustice.
As Jesus is being crucified, the soldiers carry out the brutal custom of dividing his belongings among themselves. This act, though seemingly mundane and a reflection of the soldiers' greed, fulfills ancient prophecy about the Messiah's suffering. After this, the narrative shifts to the mocking and insults Jesus endures from the onlookers and religious leaders, highlighting their rejection of his kingship.
As Jesus is being crucified, the soldiers carry out the brutal custom of dividing his belongings among themselves. This act, though seemingly mundane and a reflection of the soldiers' greed, fulfills ancient prophecy about the Messiah's suffering. After this, the narrative shifts to the mocking and insults Jesus endures from the onlookers and religious leaders, highlighting their rejection of his kingship.
"And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots." — The verse highlights a seemingly casual act – the soldiers dividing Jesus' clothes – as a direct fulfillment of prophecy. This emphasizes how even the mundane actions of his executioners were divinel…
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Last reviewed October 2026