Mark 15:24
And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
σταυρώσαντες
when they had crucified
G4717
σταυρώσαντες
when they had crucified
Strong's:
G4717
Word #:
2 of 14
to impale on the cross; figuratively, to extinguish (subdue) passion or selfishness
αὐτὰ
him
G846
αὐτὰ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 14
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
διεμερίζον
they parted
G1266
διεμερίζον
they parted
Strong's:
G1266
Word #:
4 of 14
to partition thoroughly (literally in distribution, figuratively in dissension)
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτὰ
him
G846
αὐτὰ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 14
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
βάλλοντες
casting
G906
βάλλοντες
casting
Strong's:
G906
Word #:
8 of 14
to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense)
κλῆρον
lots
G2819
κλῆρον
lots
Strong's:
G2819
Word #:
9 of 14
a die (for drawing chances); by implication, a portion (as if so secured); by extension, an acquisition (especially a patrimony, figuratively)
ἐπ'
upon
G1909
ἐπ'
upon
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
10 of 14
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
αὐτὰ
him
G846
αὐτὰ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 14
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
τί
every man
G5101
τί
every man
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
12 of 14
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
Cross References
Luke 23:34Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.Acts 5:30The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.2 Corinthians 5:21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.Deuteronomy 21:23His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.Galatians 3:13Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:1 Peter 2:24Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Historical Context
Crucifixion victims were stripped naked (Roman custom, though Jewish sensibilities may have allowed a loincloth). A typical Jewish man's clothing included: outer cloak, tunic, belt, sandals, and head covering—roughly four pieces plus one seamless tunic. Soldiers' rights to spoils were standard military practice. The gambling occurred at Golgotha's base while Jesus suffered above—executioners routinely showed callous indifference to victims' agony.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' total dispossession challenge your attachment to possessions and status?
- What does the soldiers' fulfilled-prophecy-through-callousness reveal about God's sovereignty over human sin?
- In what ways do you need to be 'clothed with Christ' rather than self-made righteousness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
They parted his garments, casting lots upon them (διαμερίζονται τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ, βάλλοντες κλῆρον)—The Greek diamerizomai (διαμερίζομαι, 'divide among themselves') fulfills Psalm 22:18 with precision: 'They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.' Roman executioners customarily claimed the condemned's possessions as perquisites. The verb ballō (βάλλω, 'cast') + klēros (κλῆρος, 'lot') indicates dice-throwing for clothing portions.
Mark's terse what every man should take emphasizes their casual indifference—gambling for a dying man's clothes beneath His cross. Yet this gambling fulfilled ancient prophecy. John 19:23-24 notes Jesus' tunic was seamless (woven from top throughout), likely His finest garment. Jesus who 'emptied Himself' (Philippians 2:7) died with nothing—naked, humiliated, and dispossessed—that we might be 'clothed with Christ' (Galatians 3:27).