John 19 24

John 19:24 kjv

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.

John 19:24 nkjv

They said therefore among themselves, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be," that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says: "They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots." Therefore the soldiers did these things.

John 19:24 niv

"Let's not tear it," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it." This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled that said, "They divided my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment." So this is what the soldiers did.

John 19:24 esv

so they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be." This was to fulfill the Scripture which says, "They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots." So the soldiers did these things,

John 19:24 nlt

So they said, "Rather than tearing it apart, let's throw dice for it." This fulfilled the Scripture that says, "They divided my garments among themselves and threw dice for my clothing." So that is what they did.

John 19 verses

John 19 24 Meaning

John 19:24 recounts the Roman soldiers' actions during Jesus' crucifixion as they divided His garments. They opted not to tear Jesus' tunic, which was woven in one piece from top to bottom, but instead cast lots to determine who would possess it. The evangelist immediately connects this event to a direct fulfillment of prophecy from Psalm 22:18, emphasizing God's sovereign control over even the seemingly random actions of men, ensuring every detail aligns with His foretold plan for the Messiah.

John 19 24 Context

John 19:24 is situated during the crucifixion of Jesus on Golgotha. Jesus has been nailed to the cross, and the Roman soldiers, executing the sentence, engage in the customary practice of dividing the condemned person's possessions. This scene follows Jesus' arrival at Golgotha and precedes His interaction with Mary and John. The action of the soldiers—their casual yet deliberate division of Jesus' clothes and their particular decision regarding the seamless tunic—stands in stark contrast to the divine gravity of the moment, yet is paradoxically interwoven into God's larger redemptive plan. The chapter as a whole underscores Jesus' kingship even in suffering and the precise fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.

John 19 24 Word analysis

• They (οὖν οἱ στρατιῶται - oun hoi stratiōtai): Refers specifically to the Roman soldiers who crucified Jesus. Their actions, though seemingly mundane, become instrumental in the divine plan.
• said (εἶπαν - eipan): An internal deliberation or discussion among the soldiers. This detail highlights a human decision that nonetheless aligns with prophecy.
• among themselves: Indicates a private agreement or strategy session, emphasizing the soldiers' practical approach to handling the possessions.
• Let us not tear it (μὴ σχίσωμεν αὐτόν - mē schisōmen auton): This refusal reveals the garment's significant value or quality. Tearing it would destroy its integrity and resale value. The seamless nature makes it unique and, perhaps, indicative of high craftsmanship.
• but cast lots (ἀλλὰ λάχωμεν - alla lachōmen): The customary method of division or apportionment by chance, typically involving rolling dice or drawing straws. This "chance" act directly fulfills a specific prophetic verse.
• for it (περὶ αὐτοῦ - peri autou): Refers to the garment, specifically the "tunic" or "coat" mentioned in the preceding verse (John 19:23), which was woven without seams.
• whose it shall be (τίνος ἔσται - tinos estai): Determines ownership through this method, a common practice for disposing of the condemned's effects.
• that the Scripture might be fulfilled (ἵνα ἡ γραφὴ πληρωθῇ - hina hē graphē plērōthē): This pivotal phrase explains the theological significance of the event. "Hina" (that/in order that) expresses purpose, revealing that this was not mere coincidence but divine design. "Hē graphē" refers to the Holy Scripture (Old Testament). "Plērōthē" (might be fulfilled) emphasizes the completion and accuracy of prophecy. This serves as John's interpretive lens, reinforcing Jesus' identity as the Messiah.
• which says (ἡ λέγουσα - hē legousa): Directly introduces the Old Testament quotation.
• They parted my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots. (Διεμερίσαντο τὰ ἱμάτιά μου ἑαυτοῖς, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν ἱματισμόν μου ἔβαλον κλῆρον - Diemerisantō ta himatia mou heautois, kai epi ton himatismon mou ebalon klēron): A direct quotation from Psalm 22:18 (Septuagint translation), affirming the predictive nature of the Old Testament and its precise fulfillment in Jesus' crucifixion. The mention of "garments" (plural) for general clothes and "clothing/tunic" (singular, implied in himatismon or specifically mentioned as seamless tunic in the preceding verse) clarifies the soldiers' actions.

John 19 24 Bonus section

The seamless tunic itself holds symbolic depth. In ancient Judaism, the high priest's inner tunic was often seamless, signifying purity, holiness, and uninterrupted priestly service (Ex 28:4, 39:22). While not explicitly stated as a priestly garment, its unique construction distinguishes it and subtly aligns Jesus' sacrificial death with His role as the Great High Priest. This seamless robe, coveted by the soldiers, was a garment of profound theological significance, torn from Him during the greatest act of love. This fulfilled prophecy also stands as a polemic against any notion that Jesus' death was an unplanned tragedy. Instead, John presents it as the predetermined act of God, meticulously unfolding according to ancient scripture. The inclusion of this detail also highlights the stark contrast between the soldiers' worldly focus on material gain and the divine spiritual significance of the very events they were enacting.

John 19 24 Commentary

John 19:24 transcends a mere historical account of Roman soldiers' actions by emphasizing the divine intentionality behind seemingly arbitrary events. The seamless tunic (χίτων - chitōn) was significant; some scholars suggest it was valuable, perhaps even of a priestly quality, symbolizing Jesus' ultimate High Priesthood where He offers Himself as the perfect sacrifice. The soldiers' decision to cast lots rather than tear this particular garment, though driven by mundane greed, inadvertently preserved its integrity, mirroring the integrity of Christ's perfect sacrifice and body, not a bone of which would be broken (John 19:36). John’s inclusion of "that the Scripture might be fulfilled" powerfully asserts Jesus' identity as the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament, showcasing God's meticulous sovereignty. It reassures believers that even the deepest sufferings were part of God's redemptive plan, foreknown and orchestrated for a greater purpose—the salvation of humanity. This event confirms Jesus' identity, validates Scripture, and testifies to God's precise control over history.