Joh 19:23-24 | RWP | e4.org | Four parts ( τεσσερα μερη ). There were four soldiers, the usual quaternion ( τετραδιον , ) besides the centurion ( ; ; ). The clothes ( ιματια , outer clothes) of the criminal were removed before the crucifixion and belonged to the soldiers. Luke ( ) mentions the division of the garments, but not the number four. The four pieces would be the head gear, the sandals, the girdle, the ταλλιθ (outer garment with fringes). The coat was without seam ( ο χιτων αραφος ). For χιτων (the inner garment) see . Αραφος is compound of α privative and ραπτω , to sew together, and so seamless (unsewed together), only here in N.T. It occurs elsewhere in Josephus, Ant . III. 6, 4. Woven ( υφαντος ). Verbal (old word) from υφαινω (some MSS. in ), only here in N.T.

‏ John 19:23-24

Four parts ( τεσσερα μερη ). There were four soldiers, the usual quaternion ( τετραδιον, Ac 12:9) besides the centurion (Mr 15:39; Mt 27:54; Lu 23:47). The clothes ( ιματια, outer clothes) of the criminal were removed before the crucifixion and belonged to the soldiers. Luke (Lu 23:34) mentions the division of the garments, but not the number four. The four pieces would be the head gear, the sandals, the girdle, the ταλλιθ (outer garment with fringes).

The coat was without seam ( ο χιτων αραφος ). For χιτων (the inner garment) see Mt 5:40. Αραφος is compound of α privative and ραπτω, to sew together, and so seamless (unsewed together), only here in N.T. It occurs elsewhere in Josephus, Ant. III. 6, 4.

Woven ( υφαντος ). Verbal (old word) from υφαινω (some MSS. in Lu 12:27), only here in N.T.

Let us not rend it ( μη σχισωμεν αυτον ). Μη with first aorist active volitive subjunctive of σχιζω, to split. It was too valuable to ruin.

Cast lots ( λαχωμεν ). Second aorist active volitive subjunctive of λαγχανω. The usual meaning is to obtain by lot (Lu 1:9; Ac 1:17). Field (Ot. Norv. 72) holds that no example has been found where it means "cast lots" as here, but Thayer cites Isocrates, p. 144b and Diod. 4, 63. John here quotes with the usual formula Ps 22:18 (LXX verbatim) and finds a fulfilment here. The enemies of the Lord's Anointed treated him as already dead (Westcott) and so cast lots ( ελαβον κληρον, the common phrase as in Mt 27:35).