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 27:35 · King James Version
Meaning
The verse "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." describes a scene from the crucifixion of Jesus, where the soldiers divided his clothing among them and gambled for his seamless garment. This event fulfilled a prophecy found in the Old Testament in Psalm 22:18, where it foreshadowed the suffering of the Messiah. The act of dividing the garments and casting lots was a common practice among Roman soldiers to claim the possessions of the condemned. By incorporating this detail into the crucifixion of Jesus, it serves as a reminder of the fulfillment of prophecies and the significance of Jesus' sacrifice in accordance with the scriptures.
Theological Overview
The theological interpretation of the verse "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," highlights the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. By quoting Psalm 22:18, the writer of the Gospel of Matthew emphasizes the divine orchestration of Jesus' crucifixion, demonstrating how his suffering and death were foretold in Scripture. The act of dividing Jesus' garments and casting lots for his vesture not only reflects the callousness of the soldiers but also serves as a poignant reminder of the fulfillment of prophecies surrounding the Messiah's crucifixion. Through word studies, the significance of the actions of the soldiers in fulfilling the prophecy becomes more apparent, underscoring the meticulous planning of God's redemptive plan through Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross.
Matthew 27:35 in other translations
American Standard Version
And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments among them, casting lots;
World English Bible
When they had crucified him, they divided his clothing among them, casting lots,
Douay-Rheims
And after they had crucified him, they divided his garments, casting lots; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: They divided my garments among them; and upon my vesture they cast lots.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, and did cast lottes, that it might be fulfilled, which was spoken by the Prophet, They deuided my garments among them, and vpon my vesture did cast lottes.