Mark 15:24

KJV

And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} when they had crucified {G4717} him {G846}, they parted {G1266} his {G846} garments {G2440}, casting {G906} lots {G2819} upon {G1909} them {G846}, what {G5101} every man {G5101} should take {G142}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then they nailed him to the execution-stake; and they divided his clothes among themselves, throwing dice to determine what each man should get.

Berean Standard Bible

And they crucified Him. They also divided His garments by casting lots to decide what each of them would take.

American Standard Version

And they crucify him, and part his garments among them, casting lots upon them, what each should take.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 15:24 vividly portrays the callous indifference of the Roman soldiers immediately following Jesus' crucifixion, as they divide His garments by casting lots. This stark detail underscores the profound humiliation endured by the Son of God and simultaneously highlights the meticulous fulfillment of ancient prophecy, revealing God's sovereign control even over the most mundane and cruel human actions during the Passion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the very heart of Mark's Passion narrative, immediately after Jesus has been nailed to the cross (Mark 15:20-23). It precedes the soldiers' further mockery and the darkness that falls over the land. The act of dividing Jesus' garments serves as a stark contrast to the divine drama unfolding, emphasizing the mundane, almost bureaucratic, nature of the execution from the soldiers' perspective. Mark's Gospel consistently presents Jesus as the suffering servant, and this scene further deepens the portrayal of His utter vulnerability and humiliation, stripped of all earthly possessions and dignity. It sets the stage for the climactic moments of Jesus' death and the subsequent confession of the centurion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Roman crucifixion was a brutal and public form of execution designed to inflict maximum suffering and shame. Part of the standard practice involved the execution squad claiming the condemned's possessions, including their clothing, as spoils. The casting of lots (Latin: *sortitio*) was a common method for dividing property or making decisions, akin to rolling dice or drawing straws. This practice ensured a seemingly fair distribution among the soldiers. Golgotha, the "Place of the Skull," was a known site for executions outside Jerusalem's city walls, adding to the public spectacle and reinforcing the ignominy of Jesus' death in the eyes of the onlookers.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 15:24 powerfully contributes to several key themes within the Gospel of Mark and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the theme of **humiliation and suffering** endured by Jesus, the Messiah, who willingly embraced the lowest possible state for humanity's redemption, echoing the self-emptying described in [Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Self-Emptying"). The soldiers' actions also exemplify **human depravity and indifference** to divine truth, as they are preoccupied with material gain while the Savior of the world is crucified. Crucially, the verse underscores **divine sovereignty and prophetic fulfillment**, demonstrating that even seemingly random human acts were part of God's preordained plan, fulfilling the ancient words of [Psalm 22:18](/psalm/22-18 "Psalm 22:18 - Prophecy of Garments Divided"). This meticulous fulfillment reinforces the reliability of God's Word and the authenticity of Jesus' messianic claims, a theme woven throughout Mark's portrayal of Jesus' ministry and passion, from His baptism in [Mark 1:9-11](/mark/1-9-11 "Mark 1:9-11 - Jesus' Baptism") to His final breath.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **crucified (Greek, _stauróō'_):** From G4717, meaning "to impale on the cross; figuratively, to extinguish (subdue) passion or selfishness." This word emphasizes the specific, agonizing method of execution, highlighting not just death but the torturous process of being affixed to a cross. In this context, it refers to the literal act of Jesus being nailed to the cross, the culmination of His journey to Golgotha.
* **parted (Greek, _diamerízō'_):** From G1266, meaning "to partition thoroughly (literally in distribution, figuratively in dissension)." Here, it denotes the complete division and distribution of Jesus' garments among the soldiers. It signifies a thorough and final appropriation of His few earthly possessions, stripping Him of all material dignity.
* **lots (Greek, _klēros'_):** From G2819, meaning "a die (for drawing chances); by implication, a portion (as if so secured); by extension, an acquisition (especially a patrimony, figuratively)." This term refers to the method used for dividing the garments, a random drawing or gambling, which ironically points to a divinely ordained outcome despite its human randomness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when they had crucified him":** This phrase immediately places the action in the context of Jesus' ultimate suffering. It signifies the completion of the physical act of crucifixion, but the beginning of the deeper spiritual implications of His sacrifice. The "they" refers to the Roman execution squad, the agents of the state carrying out the sentence.
* **"they parted his garments":** This describes the soldiers' immediate action after Jesus was affixed to the cross. It was customary for the executioners to claim the condemned's clothes as their perquisite. This act of stripping Jesus naked before His death adds to the profound humiliation and public shame He endured.
* **"casting lots upon them":** This specifies the method by which the garments were divided. The soldiers used a form of gambling (like dice or drawing straws) to determine who would receive which piece of clothing, or perhaps to decide who would get the seamless inner tunic, as detailed in John's Gospel. This action highlights their detachment and focus on material gain rather than the profound spiritual event unfolding.
* **"what every man should take":** This final clause clarifies the purpose of casting lots—to ensure a fair and undisputed distribution of the spoils among the soldiers. It underscores the mundane and self-serving motivations of the executioners, contrasting sharply with the divine, redemptive purpose of Jesus' crucifixion.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 15:24 employs several powerful **literary devices**. The most prominent is **Prophetic Fulfillment**, as the actions described directly fulfill the ancient prophecy found in Psalm 22:18. This precise alignment of events with Scripture emphasizes God's meticulous sovereignty and the divine orchestration of even the seemingly random acts of humanity. There is also profound **Irony** present; the King of Kings, the Creator of the universe, is stripped of His meager earthly possessions, and these items become the subject of a common gamble by His executioners. This stark contrast between Jesus' divine identity and His abject humiliation highlights the depth of His self-emptying love. Furthermore, the scene uses **Symbolism**; the stripping of Jesus' garments symbolizes His complete vulnerability, destitution, and the bearing of humanity's shame and nakedness before God. His ultimate nakedness on the cross represents His complete identification with the sinful state of humanity, for whom He was dying.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 15:24 is profoundly significant not merely as a historical detail, but as a theological statement. It underscores the absolute humiliation and destitution that Jesus willingly embraced for humanity's redemption. Stripped of all earthly dignity and possessions, the Son of God became utterly vulnerable, bearing the shame and nakedness of sin on behalf of those He came to save. This act, far from being a random indignity, was a divinely orchestrated moment, revealing God's meticulous sovereignty over human affairs, even the seemingly trivial or cruel. It demonstrates that every aspect of Christ's suffering was purposeful and part of the Father's redemptive plan, ensuring the complete fulfillment of Scripture and the efficacy of His atoning sacrifice. The soldiers' indifference serves as a stark reminder of humanity's blindness to divine truth, yet it is precisely into this world of spiritual apathy and rebellion that Christ entered to bring light and salvation.

* [Psalm 22:18](/psalm/22-18 "Psalm 22:18 - Prophecy of Garments Divided by Lot")
* [John 19:23-24](/john/19-23-24 "John 19:23-24 - Soldiers Divide Jesus' Garments and Cast Lots for His Tunic")
* [Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 15:24 offers a poignant moment for reflection on the depth of Christ's sacrifice and the nature of human indifference. Jesus, the Son of God, endured not only the physical agony of crucifixion but also profound indignity and public shame, stripped bare and having His few earthly possessions gambled away by His executioners. This scene challenges us to consider the extent of His love and humility—He gave everything, even His last shred of material dignity, for our salvation. For believers, it deepens our appreciation for the meticulous fulfillment of God's Word, reinforcing faith in His sovereign control over history, even amidst the chaos and cruelty of human actions. It reminds us that God's plan is unfolding, regardless of human awareness or intent. Furthermore, this verse calls us to examine our own hearts: are we, like the soldiers, sometimes indifferent to the profound spiritual realities around us, preoccupied with material concerns or personal gain while the suffering of Christ or our neighbors goes unnoticed? Or do we respond with compassion, reverence, and a willingness to embrace humility, seeking to embody the self-giving love of Christ in our daily lives?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' ultimate humiliation, including the stripping of His garments, challenge your understanding of power, dignity, and true glory?**
* **In what ways might we, like the Roman soldiers, be prone to spiritual indifference or preoccupied with worldly concerns when faced with profound spiritual truths or the suffering of others?**
* **How does the precise fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy in this seemingly minor detail strengthen your faith in the reliability of God's Word and His sovereign plan?**

### FAQ
**Why did the Roman soldiers take Jesus' clothes?**

Answer: It was a common practice in Roman crucifixion. The garments of the condemned were considered part of the spoils of execution, serving as a form of payment or perquisite for the execution squad. This custom ensured that the soldiers had a material incentive for carrying out their grim duty.

**What is the significance of casting lots for the garments?**

Answer: Casting lots was a method of random distribution, similar to rolling dice or drawing straws, used to fairly divide property or make decisions when there were multiple claimants. In this context, it highlights the soldiers' complete indifference to Jesus' suffering; they were merely performing a routine task and claiming their spoils. The profound spiritual significance of the event was lost on them, as they were focused on the mundane act of dividing possessions. However, from a divine perspective, this seemingly random act was precisely foretold in prophecy.

**Was this event prophesied in the Old Testament?**

Answer: Yes, this event was a direct fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. [Psalm 22:18](/psalm/22-18 "Psalm 22:18 - Prophecy of Garments Divided by Lot"), a messianic psalm that graphically describes the suffering of the Messiah, states: "They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture." The Gospel of John provides further detail, noting that the soldiers divided Jesus' outer garments but cast lots specifically for His seamless inner tunic, thereby explicitly fulfilling this Scripture (see [John 19:23-24](/john/19-23-24 "John 19:23-24 - Soldiers Divide Jesus' Garments and Cast Lots for His Tunic")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 15:24, with its stark depiction of soldiers casting lots for Jesus' garments, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the broader narrative of redemption. This act of stripping Jesus of His clothes and gambling for them symbolizes His complete self-emptying and identification with humanity in its most vulnerable and shameful state. The Son of God, who possessed all things, allowed Himself to be utterly divested of earthly dignity and possessions, becoming naked on the cross. This nakedness is not merely a historical detail but a powerful theological statement: Jesus bore the shame and curse of our sin, for "He who knew no sin became sin for us" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Our Righteousness in Christ")). By being stripped bare, He covers our spiritual nakedness, offering us the garment of His perfect righteousness. Just as His physical garments were taken, He gave up His divine prerogatives and glory to become one with us, ultimately leading to His triumph over sin and death. Through His humiliation, we are clothed with salvation, fulfilling the promise that those who are baptized into Christ have "put on Christ" ([Galatians 3:27](/galatians/3-27 "Galatians 3:27 - Clothed in Christ")). Thus, the seemingly mundane act of soldiers dividing spoils becomes a poignant testament to the depth of Christ's sacrifice, which provides spiritual clothing and dignity to all who believe.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 19:23

Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also [his] coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.

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.

Luke 23:34

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Isaiah 53:4

¶ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

Isaiah 53:8

He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

Matthew 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 27:36

And sitting down they watched him there;