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Matthew 27:35

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When they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments by casting lots.

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Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Tyndale Open Study Notesv. 35

27:35 they . . . nailed him to the cross: Crucifixion, though not generally practiced by Jews, was a widespread Roman punishment for military and political offenders, particularly slaves, rebels, and insurrectionists. The sheer cruelty and the public spectacle of crucifixion worked as a powerful social deterrent. Victims were flogged and then crucified naked, adding to the humiliation. It was seen as the most painful of all possible deaths; it involved intense suffering, exposure to weather and insects, suffocation, and often a final violent thrust of a spear to end life. Further, since crucifixion was a curse from God (Deut 21:22-23), the act was particularly heinous to Jewish sensibilities. Paradoxically, what was so despicable among humans has become the instrument of our salvation. Jesus previously had instructed his disciples to take up their crosses and follow him (Matt 16:24).

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Original language

The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).

Strong's Concordancev. 35

δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. σταυρόω (stauróō, G4717) — to impale on the cross; figuratively, to extinguish (subdue) passion or selfishness αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… διαμερίζω (diamerízō, G1266) — to partition thoroughly (literally in distribution, figuratively in dissension) ἱμάτιον (himátion, G2440) — a dress (inner or outer) βάλλω (bállō, G906) — to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense) κλῆρος (klēros, G2819) — a die (for drawing chances); by implication, a portion (as if so secured); by extension,… ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) πληρόω (plēróō, G4137) — to make replete, i.e. (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively)… ὁ (ho, G3588) — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) ῥέω (rhéō, G4483) — to utter, i.e. speak or say ὑπό (hypó, G5259) — under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or… προφήτης (prophḗtēs, G4396) — a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me

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Cross-references

Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.

Psalms 22:18rank 27

They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.

Acts 4:10rank 5

then let this be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.

Luke 23:34rank 5

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots.

Psalms 22:16rank 4

For dogs surround me; a band of evil men encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet.

John 20:20rank 3

After He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

John 20:27rank 3

Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe.”

John 20:25rank 2

So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands, and put my finger where the nails have been, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe.”

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