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Author: Stephen Weller
468 words, 2 minutes read time

His Clothing Divided

Scripture: Matthew 27:36; Luke 23:35; John 19:23-24

In the previous lesson we witnessed an inscription being placed on the cross which identified Jesus and his title. In this lesson we watch the soldiers deal with the clothes of Jesus.

^{Jn 19:23} When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier: also, his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, ²⁴ 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, ^{Mt 27:36} and then they sat down and kept watch over him there. ^{Lk 23:35} The people also stood by, watching,

Psalm 22 is the most quoted Psalm in the New Testament and in it the psalmist David provides numerous prophetic details of the execution scene that are fulfilled in the crucifixions of Jesus nearly 1000 years later. As the soldiers take the garments of Jesus and divide them among themselves and cast lots for the tunic they are fulfilling Scripture.

Notice how John quotes from Psalm 22:15 – 18 ESV: ¹⁵ “my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death.  ¹⁶ For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet— ¹⁷ I can count all my bones— they stare and gloat over me; ¹⁸ they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.”

As one suffers on the cross thirst becomes an issue (Verse 15). The hands and feet of Jesus were nailed to the cross as pointed out in verse 16. The bones of Jesus are visible to onlookers as he hangs naked on the cross (verse 17). Verse 18 predicts that the garments will be divided among the soldiers and for his clothing, the seamless tunic, they will cast lots.

The soldiers, the chief priests, and the people watched to see what would happen as they waited for death to come, they mock him. As they waited, Jesus would have some important things to say to God, to the two criminals, and to some standing before the cross. These statements we will cover in the following lessons.

Conclusion

At this point in our narrative, Jesus and the two criminals are nailed to their respective cross and we wait to see what takes place next. Death is pretty much a given but what else might happen before death overcomes them?