John 19:24

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.

They said {G2036} therefore {G3767} among {G4314} themselves {G240}, Let us {G4977} not {G3361} rend {G4977} it {G846}, but {G235} cast lots {G2975} for {G4012} it {G846}, whose {G5101} it shall be {G2071}: that {G2443} the scripture {G1124} might be fulfilled {G4137}, which {G3588} saith {G3004}, They parted {G1266} my {G3450} raiment {G2440} among them {G1438}, and {G2532} for {G1909} my {G3450} vesture {G2441} they did cast {G906} lots {G2819}. These things {G5023}{G3303} therefore {G3767} the soldiers {G4757} did {G4160}.

so they said to one another, “We shouldn’t tear it in pieces; let’s draw for it.” This happened in order to fulfill the words from the Tanakh,

“They divided my clothes among themselves
and gambled for my robe.”

This is why the soldiers did these things.

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.

They said therefore one to another, 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 garments among them, And upon my vesture did they cast lots.

John 19:24 KJV Commentary

Context

This verse describes a specific event during the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. After Jesus had been nailed to the cross, the Roman soldiers, as was customary, divided His garments among themselves. This particular action regarding His tunic highlights a crucial detail that fulfills ancient prophecy. The scene is set at Golgotha, the place of the skull, where Jesus was crucified alongside two criminals. The soldiers' actions, seemingly mundane and born of greed, are presented by John as divinely orchestrated to validate Jesus' identity as the Messiah.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Prophecy Fulfilled: The central theme is the precise fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. John explicitly states that the soldiers' actions of casting lots for Jesus' seamless tunic were done "that the scripture might be fulfilled." This points directly to Psalm 22:18, a vivid Messianic psalm that details the suffering of the righteous one, including the division of his garments.
  • Divine Sovereignty: Even in the midst of human cruelty and seemingly random actions like gambling for clothes, God's sovereign plan is at work. The Roman soldiers were unaware they were instruments in fulfilling God's word, demonstrating that no detail of Jesus' life and death was accidental, but part of a larger divine purpose. This underscores the idea that God is in control, even of events orchestrated by human will.
  • The Value of Jesus' Garments: The detail that the tunic was so valuable that the soldiers preferred "not rend it, but cast lots for it" suggests it was of good quality, possibly woven in one piece from top to bottom (seamless). This made it more desirable to keep intact rather than tear into pieces, reflecting the soldiers' practical assessment of its worth.

Linguistic Insights

The King James Version distinguishes between "raiment" and "vesture," which aligns with the Greek original and the prophecy. The Greek word for "raiment" (ἱμάτια - himatia) refers to the outer garments, which were typically divided among soldiers. The word for "vesture" (χιτὼν - chitōn) refers to the inner tunic or shirt, which in this case was the seamless garment. John's precise distinction between these two types of clothing emphasizes the exact fulfillment of the two parts of the prophecy in Psalm 22:18: "They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots."

Practical Application

For believers today, John 19:24 offers profound assurance. It reminds us that God's Word is trustworthy and that His plans will always come to pass, even through the actions of those who oppose Him or are oblivious to His will. This verse encourages us to trust in God's sovereignty, knowing that He is at work even in the most challenging or seemingly chaotic circumstances of life. The meticulous fulfillment of Messianic prophecy strengthens faith in Jesus as the promised Savior and the divine inspiration of the Bible.

It also invites us to reflect on the depth of Jesus' suffering, where even His personal belongings were gambled away, yet through it all, God's redemptive plan for humanity was perfectly executed, leading to the salvation offered through His ultimate sacrifice.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 22:18

    They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.

  • John 19:28

    After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

  • John 19:36

    For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.

  • John 19:37

    And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

  • Acts 13:27

    For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled [them] in condemning [him].

  • John 12:38

    That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?

  • John 12:39

    Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,

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