Keraia
Matthew 27

Matthew 27:35

The Crucifixion · Matthew 27:32–44
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Translations

Modern
When they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments by casting lots.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And having crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting a lot.
Latin
Postquam autem crucifixerunt eum, diviserunt vestimenta ejus, sortem mittentes: ut impleretur quod dictum est per prophetam dicentem: Diviserunt sibi vestimenta mea, et super vestem meam miserunt sortem.

Original

Greek
English
When they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments by casting lots.

Notes

Matthew 27:35

they had crucified Him: Crucifixion (being nailed to a cross) was not common among Jews. But it was a widespread Roman punishment for military and political offenders. This was especially true for slaves, rebels, and insurrectionists (rioters). The extreme cruelty and public display of crucifixion was a strong warning to society.

The Romans would flog victims (beat them with whips). Then they would crucify the victims naked. This added to their humiliation. Most considered it the most painful death possible. It involved intense suffering, exposure to weather and insects, and suffocation. It often concluded with a final violent spear thrust to end life.

Since the Law said that anyone hung on a tree was under God’s curse (Deuteronomy 21:22–23), crucifixion was especially offensive to the Jewish people. Yet in God’s plan, what humans saw as shameful became the very means of salvation. Earlier, Jesus had told his disciples to take up their cross and follow him (Matthew 16:24).

Matthew 27:32–44

The crowd mocked Jesus, but their words were still true. He is the Son of God, the King of Israel, and the Messiah.

Theme notes and profiles

Prophetic Sign Acts

Events

Parallels

Psalm 22:1–31 Mark 15:21–32 Luke 23:26–43 John 19:16–27

Glossary

Christ Cross Gospel of Matthew Lots, Casting of Passion Procurator Talitha Cumi

Topics

Casting Lots Death: Scenes of Death of Jesus Jesus, the Christ: Crucified (Just Outside Jerusalem) Jesus, the Christ: Prophecies Concerning Jesus, the Christ: Sufferings of Prophecies Respecting Christ: His Garments Being Parted, and Lots Cast for his Vesture: Fulfilled Punishment: Death Penalty: Crucifixion Punishments were Inflicted by Soldiers Punishments: Capital Kinds of Crucifying Quotations and Allusions in the New Testament From, and To, the Old Testament Soldiers: Crucified Jesus The Crucifixion The Death of Christ: Inflicted by the Gentiles The Lot: The Garments of Jesus Divided By The Roman Empire: Allusions to Judicial Affairs of Garments of Those Executed Given to the Soldiers