Matthew 27 35

Matthew 27:35 kjv

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 27:35 nkjv

Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: "They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots."

Matthew 27:35 niv

When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

Matthew 27:35 esv

And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots.

Matthew 27:35 nlt

After they had nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.

Matthew 27 verses

Matthew 27 35 Meaning

Matthew 27:35 describes the crucifixion of Jesus, emphasizing specific actions taken by the Roman soldiers: the division of His clothing and the casting of lots for His final garment. This seemingly mundane act is immediately highlighted as a direct fulfillment of a specific Old Testament prophecy, thereby asserting Jesus's identity as the long-awaited Messiah whose suffering was foretold by divine revelation. It showcases the callous indifference of the executioners even as profound spiritual events unfolded.

Matthew 27 35 Context

Matthew 27:35 is situated at the climax of Matthew’s passion narrative. Chapter 27 details the culmination of the unjust trial, including Pilate’s attempt to release Jesus, the crowd's clamor for His crucifixion, Barabbas’s release, and the brutal scourging. The verse directly follows Jesus being led to Golgotha, identifying the precise act of His execution and the Roman soldiers' ritualistic behavior. Historically, Roman crucifixion was a brutal form of public execution designed to inflict maximum pain and humiliation. Stripping the condemned was customary, making them utterly vulnerable. The soldiers' practice of dividing a victim’s meager belongings, often by casting lots, was a common, detached, and cold procedure of spoils of war, completely unaware of the profound prophetic significance of their actions concerning the King of Kings. Matthew uses this moment, as with many others, to emphatically underscore that Jesus’s suffering was not a random tragic event, but a divinely ordained fulfillment of ancient prophecies, testifying to His Messiahship despite the appearance of defeat.

Matthew 27 35 Word analysis

• And they: This refers to the Roman soldiers who led Jesus away. Their identity is generalized, highlighting their role as agents in a divinely ordained drama, rather than focusing on individual culpability.
• crucified him, (Greek: estaurōsan - ἐσταύρωσαν, from stauroō): To impale on a cross or stake. This signifies the most agonizing and humiliating form of execution in the Roman world. It was not a Jewish form of capital punishment but Roman, emphasizing Roman authority in Jesus's death. Theologically, it is the method through which atonement and salvation are achieved.
• and parted (Greek: kai diemerisanto - καὶ διεμερίσαντο, from diamerizō): To divide into parts, distribute among. This implies a clear, intentional division of something once whole. It indicates the soldiers' methodical actions, seeing Jesus's garments as their due spoils, highlighting their material focus amidst divine drama.
• his garments, (Greek: ta himatia autou - τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ): Refers to the outer garments worn by Jesus. Being stripped of clothes was part of the humiliation of crucifixion. These garments, meager as they were, were legally considered the property of the executioners.
• casting lots: (Greek: ballontes klēron - βάλλοντες κλῆρον): A method of determining an outcome, often involving dice or small stones thrown from a container. This was a common practice for dividing property, particularly when the value or number of items did not allow for equal distribution. It suggests randomness to human eyes, but the Scripture highlights God's sovereign oversight even in seemingly random events.
• that it might be fulfilled (Greek: hina plērōthē - ἵνα πληρωθῇ): An explicit purpose clause, common in Matthew. This phrase unequivocally states that the preceding actions occurred specifically to bring to pass an Old Testament prophecy. It underscores divine foreknowledge and purpose behind human actions.
• which was spoken by the prophet, (Greek: to rhēthen hypo tou prophētou - τὸ ῥηθὲν ὑπὸ τοῦ προφήτου): Matthew's common formula for introducing Old Testament citations that prove Jesus is the Messiah. While not naming the specific prophet, the context points directly to Psalm 22. This demonstrates Matthew's aim to present Jesus as the fulfillment of Messianic expectation.
• They parted my garments among them, (Greek: Diemerisanto ta himatia mou heautois - Διεμερίσαντο τὰ ἱμάτιά μου ἑαυτοῖς): The direct quotation from Psalm 22:18a. It explicitly connects the actions of the soldiers to the ancient prophecy, reinforcing Jesus's status as the foretold Suffering Servant.
• and upon my vesture did they cast lots. (Greek: kai epi ton himatismon mou ebalon klēron - καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν ἱματισμόν μου ἔβαλον κλῆρον): The direct quotation from Psalm 22:18b. "Vesture" (himation or himatismos here) could refer to the undergarment or a particularly valuable piece. This detail in the prophecy is remarkably specific, lending powerful credence to its fulfillment.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• And they crucified him: This concise phrase summarizes the horrific culmination of the unjust proceedings. It emphasizes the ultimate act of humiliation and suffering endured by Jesus, setting the stage for His atoning sacrifice. It reflects the prophecy of a Messiah "cut off" (Dan 9:26) and undergoing violent death.
• and parted his garments, casting lots: These actions depict the Roman soldiers' callous indifference and routine behavior during executions. Stripping the condemned served as a form of public shaming. The division of clothes was their entitlement. The detail of casting lots, specifically for the main garment, is incredibly precise, pointing directly to a specific prophetic word.
• 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: This entire clause is crucial. It elevates what could be seen as random, mundane, or cruel human actions to the realm of divine purpose and prophetic exactitude. Matthew explicitly links the present events to ancient Scripture (Psalm 22:18), powerfully affirming Jesus's identity as the Christ. It removes any notion that Jesus's suffering was an accidental tragedy, positioning it firmly within God's sovereign plan. The specificity of the quote – both parting and casting lots – is striking proof.

Matthew 27 35 Bonus section

• The indifference of the Roman soldiers, focused on material gain while crucifying the Son of God, sharply contrasts with the cosmic significance of the event. They were blind agents in God's precise plan.
• The action of "casting lots" points to divine sovereignty. In Proverbs 16:33 it says, "The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord." Even in what appears to be random chance, God's will is being enacted.
• John's Gospel provides further detail (Jn 19:23-24), distinguishing between the "garments" (outer robes, likely four pieces for four soldiers) and the "coat" or "tunic" (a single, seamless garment from top to bottom), which was valuable and thus was gambled for. Matthew, for conciseness and to emphasize prophetic fulfillment, combines these actions under the general "garments" and "vesture." This reinforces the depth of Jesus's divestment.
• The removal of clothing symbolized the utter degradation and complete surrender of all worldly possessions and pride, aligning Jesus's experience with the suffering poor and marginalized.
• This verse counters the idea that Jesus's death was a defeat or an unforeseen event; rather, it was precisely "according to the Scriptures" (1 Cor 15:3).

Matthew 27 35 Commentary

Matthew 27:35 records the central event of the gospel narrative—the crucifixion of Jesus—and immediately interprets it through the lens of prophecy. The seemingly trivial actions of the Roman soldiers—dividing Jesus's outer clothing and gambling for His inner tunic—are presented not as arbitrary acts of greed but as precise fulfillments of Psalm 22:18. This demonstrates God's intricate orchestration of history, even using the unwitting actions of ungodly men to accomplish His eternal plan. The soldiers, oblivious to the divine drama unfolding, were focused on their earthly spoils, utterly unaware they were performing acts foretold centuries earlier. This contrast highlights both human depravity and divine sovereignty. Jesus's stripping underscores His complete humiliation and destitution on the cross, making Him utterly vulnerable for humanity's sake. His garments, now parted, symbolize the total giving of Himself, even down to His last possessions, embodying His self-emptying act for redemption. This moment is a powerful testament to the infallibility of God's Word and the authenticity of Jesus as the Messiah, who meticulously fulfilled every jot and tittle of prophecy.