Devine Scripture

Matthew 27:35

What does Matthew 27:35 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 27:35 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 27:35 means

After crucifying Jesus, the soldiers divide his garments among themselves and cast lots. This fulfillment of common execution practice—stripping the condemned and gambling for his clothing—adds to the humiliation and objectification of Jesus. That the soldiers obey procedure rather than recognize the person they kill indicates spiritual blindness. The casting of lots also fulfills Psalmic imagery (see Psalm 22) and ties Jesus’ suffering to the Scriptures, showing how even the ignoble acts around his death correspond to prophetic patterns.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments among them, casting lots;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments among them, casting lots;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when they had put him on the cross, they made division of his clothing among them by the decision of chance.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And having crucified him, they divided his garments, casting a lot, that it might be fulfilled that was spoken by the prophet, `They divided my garments to themselves, and over my vesture they cast a lot;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And after they had crucified him, they divided his garments, casting lots; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: They divided my garments among them; and upon my vesture they cast lots.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And having crucified him, they parted his clothes amongst [themselves], casting lots.

Context

This verse follows the beginning of the crucifixion scene (v. 34) and shows the soldiers’ practical acts accompanying the execution. It introduces a motif of fulfilment and mocking indifference that continues in the crucifixion’s public taunts (vv. 36–44), underscoring the depth of Jesus’ humiliation and pain.

v.34they gave him wine to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted it, he would not drink.

v.35This passage

v.36and they sat and watched him there.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Mark 15:24

    And they crucify him, and part his garments among them, casting lots upon them, what each should take.

  • John 20:25

    The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.

  • John 20:20

    And when he had said this, he showed unto them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw the Lord.

  • Psalms 22:18

    They part my garments among them, And upon my vesture do they cast lots.

  • John 20:27

    Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and see my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and put it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

  • Luke 23:34

    And Jesus said, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And parting his garments among them, they cast lots.

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