John 19:24
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.
Original Language Analysis
οὖν
therefore
G3767
οὖν
therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
2 of 37
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
πρὸς
among
G4314
πρὸς
among
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
3 of 37
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
Μὴ
not
G3361
Μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
5 of 37
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
αὐτοῦ
it
G846
αὐτοῦ
it
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 37
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
8 of 37
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
λάχωμεν
cast lots
G2975
λάχωμεν
cast lots
Strong's:
G2975
Word #:
9 of 37
to lot, i.e., determine (by implication, receive) especially by lot
περὶ
for
G4012
περὶ
for
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
10 of 37
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
αὐτοῦ
it
G846
αὐτοῦ
it
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 37
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τίνος
whose
G5101
τίνος
whose
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
12 of 37
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
Οἱ
which
G3588
Οἱ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γραφὴ
the scripture
G1124
γραφὴ
the scripture
Strong's:
G1124
Word #:
16 of 37
a document, i.e., holy writ (or its contents or a statement in it)
πληρωθῇ
might be fulfilled
G4137
πληρωθῇ
might be fulfilled
Strong's:
G4137
Word #:
17 of 37
to make replete, i.e., (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute
Οἱ
which
G3588
Οἱ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λέγουσα·
saith
G3004
λέγουσα·
saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
19 of 37
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Διεμερίσαντο
They parted
G1266
Διεμερίσαντο
They parted
Strong's:
G1266
Word #:
20 of 37
to partition thoroughly (literally in distribution, figuratively in dissension)
Οἱ
which
G3588
Οἱ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἑαυτοῖς
among them
G1438
ἑαυτοῖς
among them
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
24 of 37
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
25 of 37
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπὶ
for
G1909
ἐπὶ
for
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
26 of 37
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
Οἱ
which
G3588
Οἱ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
27 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔβαλον
they did cast
G906
ἔβαλον
they did cast
Strong's:
G906
Word #:
30 of 37
to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense)
κλῆρον
lots
G2819
κλῆρον
lots
Strong's:
G2819
Word #:
31 of 37
a die (for drawing chances); by implication, a portion (as if so secured); by extension, an acquisition (especially a patrimony, figuratively)
Οἱ
which
G3588
Οἱ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
32 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μὲν
G3303
μὲν
Strong's:
G3303
Word #:
33 of 37
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
οὖν
therefore
G3767
οὖν
therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
34 of 37
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
Historical Context
Psalm 22, written by David circa 1000 BC, contains numerous crucifixion details: pierced hands and feet (v.16), bones out of joint (v.14), intense thirst (v.15), public mockery (v.7-8), and this dividing of garments. Crucifixion as execution method wasn't invented until the Persians developed it around 500 BC and Romans adopted it centuries later. David's psalm is thus prophetic, not experiential.
Roman soldiers regularly gambled, particularly with dice (tesserae). Lots could be cast using dice, marked pottery shards, or stones. The winner claimed the seamless tunic—a valuable prize worth more intact than torn into pieces. Their practical decision served transcendent purposes.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the precise fulfillment of detailed prophecy strengthen confidence in Scripture's divine origin?
- What does it reveal about God's sovereignty that pagan soldiers unknowingly fulfilled Scripture through ordinary greed?
- How should the doctrine of divine providence affect our view of seemingly random or unjust events?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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. The soldiers' decision to gamble rather than tear the seamless tunic fulfills Psalm 22:18 with remarkable precision. That messianic psalm, written 1,000 years before crucifixion was invented, predicted both the dividing of garments AND the casting of lots for clothing.
The phrase ἵνα ἡ γραφὴ πληρωθῇ (hina hē graphē plērōthē, 'that the scripture might be fulfilled') is John's recurring formula (12:38, 13:18, 15:25, 17:12, 19:28, 19:36). The purpose clause emphasizes divine orchestration—even the casual gambling of pagan soldiers accomplishes God's prophetic word. They act freely, with their own motives (greed), yet fulfill Scripture exactly.
The double fulfillment—dividing AND casting lots—shows biblical prophecy's precision. The soldiers didn't study Psalm 22 and deliberately enact it; they followed crucifixion custom unknowingly. Yet they fulfilled two distinct predictions in one event. This vindicates Jesus as Messiah and Scripture as divinely inspired. Every detail of redemption unfolds according to God's eternal decree.