“When they had crucified Jesus,
They divided his garments
Among themselves,
By casting lots.
Then they sat down there.
They kept watch
Over Jesus.”
σταυρώσαντες δὲ αὐτὸν διεμερίσαντο τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ βάλλοντες κλῆρον,
καὶ καθήμενοι ἐτήρουν αὐτὸν ἐκεῖ.
The first verse is almost word for word in Mark, chapter 15:24, but there is nothing about keeping watch. Luke, chapter 12:34, mentioned the dividing of Jesus’ garments by chance. John, chapter 19:23-25, has a longer detailed description about the division of the garments of Jesus. The first cinemascope movie in 1953 was called the “The Robe,” based on a 1942 novel with the same name that got its inspiration from this biblical passage. When the Roman soldiers had put Jesus on the cross for his crucifixion (σταυρώσαντες δὲ), they divided his garments among themselves (αὐτὸν διεμερίσαντο τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ), by casting lots for them (βάλλοντες κλῆρον), which was a common practice. A number of old manuscripts have an additional phrase about the fulfillment of a prophecy was in John’s account. Thus, what might have been spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled (ἵνα πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν ὑπὸ τοῦ προφήτου). They divided my garments among themselves (Διεμερίσαντο τὰ ἱμάτιά μου ἑαυτοῖς). For my clothing, they cast lots (καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν ἱματισμόν μου ἔβαλον κλῆρον). This was from Psalm 22:18, when David was in distress. Then these Roman guards sat down (καὶ καθήμενοι) to keep watch over, guard, or observe Jesus there (ἐτήρουν αὐτὸν ἐκεῖ).
