John 19:23
New International Version
When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.

New Living Translation
When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among the four of them. They also took his robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.

English Standard Version
When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom,

Berean Standard Bible
When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided His garments into four parts, one for each soldier, with the tunic remaining. It was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.

Berean Literal Bible
Then the soldiers, when they crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was seamless, woven from the top all throughout.

King James Bible
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 was without seam, woven from the top throughout.

New King James Version
Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece.

New American Standard Bible
Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His outer garments and made four parts: a part to each soldier, and the tunic also; but the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece.

NASB 1995
Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His outer garments and made four parts, a part to every soldier and also the tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece.

NASB 1977
The soldiers therefore, when they had crucified Jesus, took His outer garments and made four parts, a part to every soldier and also the tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, a part to each soldier and also His tunic; now that tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top.

Amplified Bible
Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His outer clothes and made four parts, a part for each soldier, and also the tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven [in one piece] from the top throughout.

Christian Standard Bible
When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, a part for each soldier. They also took the tunic, which was seamless, woven in one piece from the top.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took His clothes and divided them into four parts, a part for each soldier. They also took the tunic, which was seamless, woven in one piece from the top.

American Standard Version
The soldiers therefore, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also the coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.

Contemporary English Version
After the soldiers had nailed Jesus to the cross, they divided up his clothes into four parts, one for each of them. But his outer garment was made from a single piece of cloth, and it did not have any seams.

English Revised Version
The soldiers therefore, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also the coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them four ways so that each soldier could have a share. His robe was left over. It didn't have a seam because it had been woven in one piece from top to bottom.

Good News Translation
After the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier. They also took the robe, which was made of one piece of woven cloth without any seams in it.

International Standard Version
When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier, and took his cloak as well. The cloak was seamless, woven in one piece from the top down.

Majority Standard Bible
When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided His garments into four parts, one for each soldier, with the tunic remaining. It was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.

NET Bible
Now when the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and made four shares, one for each soldier, and the tunic remained. (Now the tunic was seamless, woven from top to bottom as a single piece.)

New Heart English Bible
Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his clothes and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top throughout.

Webster's Bible Translation
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 was without seam, woven from the top throughout.

Weymouth New Testament
So the soldiers, as soon as they had crucified Jesus, took His garments, including His tunic, and divided them into four parts--one part for each soldier. The tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece.

World English Bible
Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top throughout.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The soldiers, therefore, when they crucified Jesus, took His garments, and made four parts, to each soldier a part, also the coat, and the coat was seamless, from the top woven throughout;

Berean Literal Bible
Then the soldiers, when they crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was seamless, woven from the top all throughout.

Young's Literal Translation
The soldiers, therefore, when they did crucify Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to each soldier a part, also the coat, and the coat was seamless, from the top woven throughout,

Smith's Literal Translation
Then the soldiers, when they crucified Jesus, took his garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part: and also the coat: and the coat was unsewn through the whole, having been woven from above.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The soldiers therefore, when they had crucified him, took his garments, (and they made four parts, to every soldier a part,) and also his coat. Now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then the soldiers, when they had crucified him, took his garments, and they made four parts, one part to each soldier, and the tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven from above throughout the whole.

New American Bible
When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four shares, a share for each soldier. They also took his tunic, but the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top down.

New Revised Standard Version
When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Now when the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, a part to each of the soldiers; but his robe was without seam, woven from the top throughout.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But the soldiers, when they had crucified Yeshua, took his garments, and they made four parts, a part to each of the soldiers; but his tunic was without a seam: it was woven entirely from the top.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his clothing, and made four parts, to each soldier a part; and they took his coat also. Now his coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.

Godbey New Testament
Then the soldiers, when they crucified Jesus, took His garments, and made them four parts, a part for each soldier; and the vesture. And the vesture was seamless, woven from the top throughout.

Haweis New Testament
Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, for each soldier a part; and his vest: now the vest was without a seam, woven from the upper parts throughout the whole.

Mace New Testament
The soldiers, after they had crucified Jesus, took his garments (and made four parts, to every soldier a part) and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.

Weymouth New Testament
So the soldiers, as soon as they had crucified Jesus, took His garments, including His tunic, and divided them into four parts--one part for each soldier. The tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece.

Worrell New Testament
The soldiers, therefore, when they crucified Jesus, took His garments, and made four parts, to each soldier a part; and also the coat. And the coat was without a seam, woven from the top throughout.

Worsley New Testament
And the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, (and made four parts, to each soldier a part,) and his coat. Now the coat had no seam in it, being woven from the top throughout:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Crucifixion
22Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.” 23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided His garments into four parts, one for each soldier, with the tunic remaining. It was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 24So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it. Instead, let us cast lots to see who will get it.” This was to fulfill the Scripture: “They divided My garments among them, and cast lots for My clothing.” So that is what the soldiers did.…

Cross References
Matthew 27:35
When they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments by casting lots.

Mark 15:24
And they crucified Him. They also divided His garments by casting lots to decide what each of them would take.

Luke 23:34
Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots.

Psalm 22:18
They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.

John 13:29
Since Judas kept the money bag, some thought that Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the feast, or to give something to the poor.

Acts 1:18
(Now with the reward for his wickedness Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong and burst open in the middle, and all his intestines spilled out.

John 18:12
Then the band of soldiers, with its commander and the officers of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him.

John 19:24
So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it. Instead, let us cast lots to see who will get it.” This was to fulfill the Scripture: “They divided My garments among them, and cast lots for My clothing.” So that is what the soldiers did.

John 19:28
After this, knowing that everything had now been accomplished, and to fulfill the Scripture, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”

John 19:36
Now these things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of His bones will be broken.”

John 19:37
And, as another Scripture says: “They will look on the One they have pierced.”

John 20:25
So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands, and put my finger where the nails have been, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe.”

John 21:7
Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it) and jumped into the sea.

John 21:11
So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many, the net was not torn.

John 21:18
Truly, truly, I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”


Treasury of Scripture

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 was without seam, woven from the top throughout.

the soldiers.

Matthew 27:35
And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.

Mark 15:24
And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.

Luke 23:34
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

now.

woven.

Exodus 39:22,23
And he made the robe of the ephod of woven work, all of blue…

Jump to Previous
Coat Crucified Divided Four Garments Including Jesus Outer Part Parts Piece Seam Soldier Soldiers Soon Throughout Top Tunic Woven
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Coat Crucified Divided Four Garments Including Jesus Outer Part Parts Piece Seam Soldier Soldiers Soon Throughout Top Tunic Woven
John 19
1. Jesus is scourged, crowned with thorns, and beaten.
4. Pilate is desirous to release him,
15. but being overcome with the outrage of the crowd, he delivers him to be crucified.
23. They cast lots for his garments.
25. He commends his mother to John.
28. He dies.
31. His side is pierced.
38. He is buried by Joseph and Nicodemus.














When the soldiers had crucified Jesus
This phrase marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of the crucifixion. The act of crucifixion was a Roman method of execution, reserved for the most heinous criminals and slaves. It was designed to be a public spectacle, a deterrent to others. The Greek word used here for "crucified" is "σταυρόω" (stauroō), which means to fasten to a cross. This word carries with it the weight of immense suffering and shame, as crucifixion was not only physically excruciating but also socially humiliating. The soldiers, Roman by nationality, were executing a sentence that was both a fulfillment of prophecy and a demonstration of the world's rejection of Christ. This moment is a profound intersection of divine sovereignty and human sinfulness.

they divided His garments into four parts
The division of Jesus' garments among the soldiers is a fulfillment of Psalm 22:18, which says, "They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing." The act of dividing the garments signifies the complete stripping away of Jesus' earthly dignity and possessions. In the cultural context, a person's clothing was a significant part of their identity and status. By dividing His garments, the soldiers were not only fulfilling prophecy but also symbolizing the world's attempt to strip Jesus of His identity and authority. The number four, often representing completeness in the Bible, suggests that nothing was left to Him; He was entirely given over to the will of the Father and the cruelty of man.

one for each soldier
This phrase indicates that there were four soldiers involved in the crucifixion, which was typical for a Roman execution squad. Each soldier taking a part of Jesus' garments underscores the personal involvement and complicity of humanity in the crucifixion. It also reflects the Roman practice of allowing executioners to claim the possessions of the condemned as part of their payment. This detail highlights the stark contrast between the soldiers' material gain and the spiritual riches that Jesus was securing for humanity through His sacrifice.

with the tunic remaining
The tunic, or "χιτών" (chitōn) in Greek, was a seamless garment worn next to the skin. It was a valuable piece of clothing, often woven in one piece from top to bottom. The seamless nature of the tunic is significant, as it symbolizes the unity and perfection of Christ's priesthood. In the Old Testament, the high priest wore a seamless garment, and Jesus, as our High Priest, embodies this role perfectly. The tunic's remaining intact also points to the unbroken and undivided nature of Christ's mission and His kingdom, which cannot be torn apart by human hands.

This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom
The seamless tunic is a powerful symbol of Christ's divine nature and His role as the perfect High Priest. The Greek word for "seamless" is "ἄρραφος" (arraphos), meaning without seam, which emphasizes the garment's integrity and wholeness. This detail is not merely about the physical garment but speaks to the spiritual reality of Christ's ministry. Just as the tunic was woven in one piece, so too is the plan of salvation—a single, unbroken narrative from creation to redemption. The phrase "from top to bottom" suggests divine origin and purpose, indicating that Christ's work is initiated and completed by God Himself. This imagery invites believers to trust in the completeness and sufficiency of Christ's atoning work on the cross.

(23) On John 19:23-24, comp. Notes on Matthew 27:35-36; Luke 23:34. St. John's account is again more full than any of the others.

And made four parts, to every soldier a part.--The soldiers there who carried the sentence into execution were one of the usual quarternions (Acts 12:4), under the command of a centurion.

Also his coat: now the coat was without seam.--More exactly, the tunic, or under-garment. It reached from the neck to the feet, while the outer "garment" was a square rug thrown round the body. Ordinarily the tunic consisted of two pieces connected at the shoulder by clasps; but that worn by Jesus was made in one piece. This seems to have been the rule with the priestly tunics. (Comp. the account of Aaron's tunic in Jos. Ant. iii. 7, ? 4.)

Verses 23, 24. - (c) The seamless garment. Verse 23. - Matthew 27:35, Mark 15:24, and Luke 23:34 all mention that the soldiers took his garments (ἱμάτια), and divided them according to the ordinary custom followed at executions amongst themselves. These were the head-dress, the large outer robe with its girdle, the sandals, one taking one thing and another another, and each evangelist added that the soldiers cast lots upon the garments, as to who should take which. As these garments may have been of varied value, the lot may have been required; but John, in his narrative, throws fresh light upon this latter and humiliating act. Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part. This shows that a quaternion of soldiers, and not the "whole band," had been told off for the infernal deed. Pilate knew now that there was no need of an army to keep the people from popular insurrection. The rest of the garrison were not far off, should they be required; moreover, the servants of the high priest were ready to act on an emergency; but John adds, And also the coat (the χιτών, the לְבּושׁ); the long vesture which clothed his whole person, reaching from the neck to the feet, and which, when removed, left the sacred body naked. This had probably not been removed by either tiered or Pilate before, and the cursed indignity thus reached its climax (Hengstenberg; cf. Job 24:7-10). Now the coat was without seam from the top - from the upper portions - woven throughout (δι ὅλου, an adverbial form) - woven, possibly, by the mother who loved him, and corresponding with the dress of the priests. Keim and Thorns see here "a symbolizing of Jesus as the High Priest" (see Holman Hunt's celebrated picture the "Light of the World"). Certainly John saw the Lord in his glory with a garment of the kind (woven of radiant light, and reaching to the feet, Revelation 1.). The unity of the Savior's seamless vesture has been variously treated in patristic literature: as symbolic of the unity of natures in his Person, by the Monephysites; and by Cyprian ('De Unitate Ecclesiae,' § 7) in his conflict with Novatianists, as symbolic of the unity of the Church, and he actually builds on it his dictum, "He cannot possess the garment of Christ who parts and divides the Church of Christ." This garment could not be conveniently divided.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
When
ὅτε (hote)
Adverb
Strong's 3753: When, at which time. From hos and te; at which too, i.e. When.

the
Οἱ (Hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

soldiers
στρατιῶται (stratiōtai)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4757: A soldier. From a presumed derivative of the same as stratia; a camper-out, i.e. A warrior.

had crucified
ἐσταύρωσαν (estaurōsan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4717: From stauros; to impale on the cross; figuratively, to extinguish passion or selfishness.

Jesus,
Ἰησοῦν (Iēsoun)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

they divided
ἔλαβον (elabon)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2983: (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of.

His
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

garments
ἱμάτια (himatia)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2440: A long flowing outer garment, tunic. Neuter of a presumed derivative of ennumi; a dress.

[into] four
τέσσαρα (tessara)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 5064: Four. Or neuter tessara a plural number; four.

parts,
μέρη (merē)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3313: A part, portion, share. From an obsolete but more primary form of meiromai; a division or share.

[one]
μέρος (meros)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3313: A part, portion, share. From an obsolete but more primary form of meiromai; a division or share.

for each
ἑκάστῳ (hekastō)
Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1538: Each (of more than two), every one. As if a superlative of hekas; each or every.

soldier,
στρατιώτῃ (stratiōtē)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4757: A soldier. From a presumed derivative of the same as stratia; a camper-out, i.e. A warrior.

[with]
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

tunic [remaining].
χιτῶνα (chitōna)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5509: A tunic, garment, undergarment. Of foreign origin; a tunic or shirt.

[It]
χιτὼν (chitōn)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5509: A tunic, garment, undergarment. Of foreign origin; a tunic or shirt.

was
ἦν (ēn)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

seamless,
ἄραφος (araphos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 729: Not sewed, seamless. Unsewed, i.e. Of a single piece.

woven
ὑφαντὸς (hyphantos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5307: Woven. From huphaino to weave; woven, i.e. knitted.

in one piece
ὅλου (holou)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3650: All, the whole, entire, complete. A primary word; 'whole' or 'all', i.e. Complete, especially as noun or adverb.

from
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

top to bottom.
ἄνωθεν (anōthen)
Adverb
Strong's 509: From ano; from above; by analogy, from the first; by implication, anew.


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