Matthew 27:35 - When they had crucified him, they divided his clothing among them, casting lots,
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What does "Matthew 27:35" mean?
Matthew 27:35, "When they had crucified him, they divided his clothing among them, casting lots," describes a common practice among Roman soldiers after a crucifixion. Let's break it down:
"When they had crucified him...": This establishes the context – Jesus had been nailed to the cross and was in the process of dying.
"...they divided his clothing among them...": Roman soldiers were entitled to the possessions of those they executed. Jesus' clothing, likely including his tunic, sandals, belt, and other outer garments, would have been considered valuable spoils.
"...casting lots...": This is the key detail. Instead of simply dividing the items, the soldiers gambled or used a form of lottery to determine who got which pieces. This suggests that either some garments were more desirable than others, or that they just enjoyed gambling.
Significance and Interpretation:
Fulfillment of Prophecy: This verse is often cited as a fulfillment of prophecy from Psalm 22:18, which says, "They divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots." This is a key point for Christians as it demonstrates that Jesus' life and death aligned with predictions written centuries earlier.
Humiliation and Degradation: This act further emphasized the humiliation and degradation Jesus endured during his crucifixion. He was stripped naked in public, and his belongings were treated as mere spoils of war.
Dehumanization: By gambling over his clothes, the soldiers were demonstrating a complete lack of respect for Jesus as a human being. They were focused on their personal gain rather than the suffering of the man they had just crucified.
Historical Accuracy: This detail is consistent with what is known about Roman practices during that time. Soldiers commonly claimed the belongings of the executed.
In summary, Matthew 27:35 is a powerful verse that highlights the cruelty and humiliation of Jesus' crucifixion while also demonstrating a potential fulfillment of prophecy and giving insight into Roman customs.
Matthew 27:35 - When they had crucified him, they divided his clothing among them, casting lots,
What does "Matthew 27:35" mean?
Matthew 27:35, "When they had crucified him, they divided his clothing among them, casting lots," describes a common practice among Roman soldiers after a crucifixion. Let's break it down:
"When they had crucified him...": This establishes the context – Jesus had been nailed to the cross and was in the process of dying.
"...they divided his clothing among them...": Roman soldiers were entitled to the possessions of those they executed. Jesus' clothing, likely including his tunic, sandals, belt, and other outer garments, would have been considered valuable spoils.
"...casting lots...": This is the key detail. Instead of simply dividing the items, the soldiers gambled or used a form of lottery to determine who got which pieces. This suggests that either some garments were more desirable than others, or that they just enjoyed gambling.
Significance and Interpretation:
Fulfillment of Prophecy: This verse is often cited as a fulfillment of prophecy from Psalm 22:18, which says, "They divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots." This is a key point for Christians as it demonstrates that Jesus' life and death aligned with predictions written centuries earlier.
Humiliation and Degradation: This act further emphasized the humiliation and degradation Jesus endured during his crucifixion. He was stripped naked in public, and his belongings were treated as mere spoils of war.
Dehumanization: By gambling over his clothes, the soldiers were demonstrating a complete lack of respect for Jesus as a human being. They were focused on their personal gain rather than the suffering of the man they had just crucified.
Historical Accuracy: This detail is consistent with what is known about Roman practices during that time. Soldiers commonly claimed the belongings of the executed.
In summary, Matthew 27:35 is a powerful verse that highlights the cruelty and humiliation of Jesus' crucifixion while also demonstrating a potential fulfillment of prophecy and giving insight into Roman customs.