John 19:23-24
23 Now when the soldiers crucified ▼ Jesus, they took his clothes and made four shares, one for each soldier, ▼▼ Four shares, one for each soldier. The Gospel of John is the only one to specify the number of soldiers involved in the crucifixion. This was a quaternion, a squad of four soldiers. It was accepted Roman practice for the soldiers who performed a crucifixion to divide the possessions of the person executed among themselves.
and the tunic ▼▼ Or “shirt” (a long garment worn under the cloak next to the skin). The name for this garment (χιτών, chitōn) presents some difficulty in translation. Most modern readers would not understand what a ‘tunic’ was any more than they would be familiar with a ‘chiton.’ On the other hand, attempts to find a modern equivalent are also a problem: “Shirt” conveys the idea of a much shorter garment that covers only the upper body, and “undergarment” (given the styles of modern underwear) is more misleading still. “Tunic” was therefore employed, but with a note to explain its nature.
remained. (Now the tunic ▼▼ Or “shirt” (a long garment worn under the cloak next to the skin). See the note on the same word earlier in this verse.
was seamless, woven from top to bottom as a single piece.) ▼▼ This is a parenthetical note by the author.
24So the soldiers said to one another, “Let’s not tear it, but throw dice ▼▼ Grk “but choose by lot” (probably by using marked pebbles or broken pieces of pottery). A modern equivalent, “throw dice,” was chosen here because of its association with gambling.
to see who will get it.” ▼▼ Grk “to see whose it will be.”
This took place ▼▼ The words “This took place” are not in the Greek text but are implied.
to fulfill the scripture that says, “ They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they threw dice .” ▼▼ Grk “cast lots.” See the note on “throw dice” earlier in the verse.
▼ So the soldiers did these things.
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