Mark 15 24

Mark 15:24 kjv

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

Mark 15:24 nkjv

And when they crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots for them to determine what every man should take.

Mark 15:24 niv

And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get.

Mark 15:24 esv

And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take.

Mark 15:24 nlt

Then the soldiers nailed him to the cross. They divided his clothes and threw dice to decide who would get each piece.

Mark 15 verses

Mark 15 24 Meaning

This verse precisely details two actions performed by the Roman soldiers after Jesus was nailed to the cross: his crucifixion and the immediate division of his clothing by casting lots. It presents a stark juxtaposition between the world-changing sacrifice of Christ and the mundane, indifferent actions of His executioners, highlighting both the brutal reality of the event and the fulfillment of ancient prophecy regarding the Messiah's suffering.

Mark 15 24 Context

Mark 15:24 is situated in the profound narrative of Jesus's crucifixion. It follows immediately after Jesus has been led out to Golgotha (Mk 15:20-22) and offered wine mixed with myrrh (Mk 15:23). This verse details the actual act of crucifixion and a significant subsequent action by the Roman soldiers. The preceding verses establish the injustice and mockery Jesus endured from the Roman soldiers, Pilate's capitulation, and Simon of Cyrene carrying the cross. Historically, Roman crucifixion was a brutal form of public execution designed to maximize pain, shame, and terror. Stripping the condemned and soldiers claiming their garments was a standard Roman military custom and perquisite. The casting of lots was a common, accepted method of distributing shares or making decisions based on perceived chance, contrasting starkly with the momentous event occurring.

Mark 15 24 Word analysis

• And: Connects the previous events—leading Jesus to Golgotha and offering him myrrh-laced wine—to the core action. It emphasizes continuity in the narrative of His suffering.
• they: Refers to the Roman soldiers, who were carrying out the execution. Their anonymity underscores their role as instruments rather than individuals, emphasizing the Roman system's involvement.
• crucified: (Greek: σταυροῦσιν - staurousin) The verb is in the historical present, making the horrific event immediate. This refers to the act of nailing or binding Jesus to a wooden cross, a brutal Roman method of execution reserved for the lowest classes or those seen as rebels against the state. It signifies intense physical agony, public shame, and a cursed death.
• him: Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who is enduring this profound suffering for the sins of humanity. This simple pronoun identifies the central figure of the entire gospel narrative.
• and: Links the act of crucifixion with the subsequent action of the soldiers.
• divided: (Greek: διαμερίζονται - diamerizontai) Also in the historical present. This signifies the act of apportioning or sharing something. Here, it refers to the soldiers distributing Jesus's clothes among themselves, highlighting their personal gain from the execution.
• his: Refers to Jesus, indicating His personal belongings.
• garments: (Greek: ἱμάτια - himatia) Plural, indicating multiple items of clothing. These would typically include an outer robe (himation) and an inner tunic (chiton). Soldiers considered the clothing of executed prisoners as spoils, as the condemned had no further use for them. These items held value and were a standard perquisite for executioners.
• casting lots: (Greek: βαλόντες κλῆρον - balontes klēron) This phrase describes the method of distribution, typically by throwing small stones or marked pieces of wood/bone. It was akin to drawing straws or rolling dice, used to make a decision or distribute portions based on what was considered chance, often seen as divine intervention in everyday life (as per Prov 16:33).
• for them: Refers to the garments, the objects of the division and the subject of the lottery.
• what: Indicates a query or a determination regarding each portion.
• every man: Emphasizes individual soldiers vying for the possessions.
• should take: Refers to the outcome of the lot-casting, determining who would receive which piece of clothing.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "And they crucified him": This concise statement packs immense theological and historical weight, defining the pivotal event of human redemption. It emphasizes the active agency of human participants in fulfilling God's predetermined plan.
• "and divided his garments, casting lots for them": This phrase depicts the soldiers' pragmatic and indifferent actions amidst a moment of ultimate spiritual significance. This mundane act simultaneously fulfills prophetic scripture (Ps 22:18) with striking precision, showing divine sovereignty operating even through human carelessness or self-interest. The act highlights the dehumanization of Jesus by His executioners, who viewed Him merely as a source of spoil.
• "what every man should take": This underscores the individual profit motive behind the soldiers' actions. It portrays a scene of common criminality, focusing on petty gains, which starkly contrasts with the sacrificial giving of Christ. This detail ensures the literal fulfillment of the prophecy, leaving no doubt about the precise details.

Mark 15 24 Bonus section

The soldiers' seemingly random act of "casting lots" points to a deeper divine truth. While it appeared to be a game of chance to them, the Bible teaches that "the lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD" (Prov 16:33). This detail powerfully underscores God's ultimate sovereignty and control, even over actions that humans perceive as accidental or driven by personal whim. It showcases how human free will and sinful desires can unwittingly serve to accomplish God's predetermined will. This verse, with its grim details, sets a powerful contrast with the later declaration of the centurion in Mark 15:39, who, observing the manner of Jesus's death, proclaims, "Truly this man was the Son of God!" This contrast highlights that even in the midst of abject human depravity and indifference, God's plan unfolds, and His identity is ultimately revealed.

Mark 15 24 Commentary

Mark's account of the crucifixion is notably concise, yet every detail is poignant. Verse 24 precisely describes two critical moments: the actual act of nailing Jesus to the cross, marking the climax of the passion, and the subsequent action of the Roman soldiers. The crucifixion itself was the culmination of rejection and violence Jesus endured. The act of the soldiers dividing Jesus's garments and casting lots for them serves a crucial dual purpose in Mark's narrative. Firstly, it starkly emphasizes the soldiers' complete indifference to the profound suffering and identity of the man they were executing. Their focus was on the trivial gain of personal property, underscoring humanity's spiritual blindness and self-interest in the face of divine sacrifice. Secondly, and most importantly for the Gospel's message, this seemingly insignificant detail precisely fulfills the ancient Messianic prophecy found in Psalm 22:18. This fulfillment powerfully confirms Jesus's identity as the Christ, demonstrating God's sovereign hand in orchestrating even the minutiae of human actions to align with His divine plan, providing irrefutable proof of His Messiahship despite the ignominious context.