John 19:23-24

John 19:23-24

[23] Then  the soldiers,  when  they had crucified  Jesus,  took  his  garments,  and  made  four  parts,  to every  soldier  a part;  and also  his coat:  now  the coat  without seam,  woven  from  the top  throughout.  [24] They said  therefore  among  themselves,  not  rend  it,  but  cast lots  for  it,  whose  that  the scripture  might be fulfilled,  which  saith,  They parted  raiment  among them,  and  for  vesture  they did cast  lots.  therefore  the soldiers  did. 

What does John 19:23-24 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Normally the executioners of a criminal received his clothes following his death. [1] John spoke of the soldiers dividing Jesus" garments (plural). The Greek word translated "garments" is himatia. Usually when this word occurs in the singular it refers to the outer robe that most Jews wore. Here, because he used the plural, John evidently had in mind all of Jesus" outer garments including His robe, sandals, belt, and head covering. [2] This would have resulted in each of the four soldiers receiving one piece of clothing. The tunic (Gr. chiton) that remained was a garment worn next to the skin, but it was not what we would think of as underwear. It was more like a long shirt. Since Jesus" tunic had been woven as one piece, the soldiers decided to cast lots to determine who would get it.
John alone among the evangelists noted that this procedure was another fulfillment of prophecy ( Psalm 22:18). The poetic parallelism in the prophecy found literal fulfillment in this event. Men continued to carry out God"s foreordained plan of salvation though unconsciously. This is another tribute to God"s sovereignty. Even as Jesus" humiliation reached its depths, as enemies took even His clothes from Him, the Father controlled His destiny.
"That Jesus died naked was part of the shame which He bore for our sins. At the same time He is the last Adam who provides clothes of righteousness for sinners." [3]