John 19:24

John 19:24 Meaning and Explanation

They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.

King James Version (KJV)

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Rather than tear the seamless tunic, the soldiers cast lots for it, fulfilling the scripture: "They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots."

What Does John 19:24 Mean?

Dice rattle at the foot of the cross. John hears in the soldiers' game the exact words of Psalm 22:18 — the psalm of the righteous sufferer, whose opening cry Jesus takes upon his own lips at Golgotha: "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46).

Men who never read the psalm acted it out to the letter. That is the quiet wonder of fulfillment: the word of God holds true even in the hands of those who do not know him. Ten centuries of distance did not blur the picture. The God who foresaw the dice can be trusted with everything else he has promised — including the promises that concern you.

Frequently Asked Questions About John 19:24

What does John 19:24 mean?

Rather than tear the seamless tunic, the soldiers cast lots for it, fulfilling the scripture: "They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots."

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