Then they crucified Him and divided His garments, casting lots, so that the word spoken by the prophet might be fulfilled: “They divided My garments among themselves, and for My robe they cast lots.”
This verse presents the fulfillment of a prophetic word (Ps. 21:19), which links the Old and the New Covenants. The dividing of Jesus’ garments was, for the soldiers, simply an ordinary act, but from a divine perspective it was the carrying out of prophecy. In the phrase “They divided my garments among themselves,” it is seen how the world appropriates what is material, and in the words “they cast lots for my robe,” human indifference is exposed toward everything that is Holy and righteous. The cross and the dividing of the garments together show human blindness: those who were dividing the clothing did not realize that they were standing before God’s salvation. Yet this episode testifies that even the smallest action was taking place according to God’s providence, confirming the fulfillment of His word literally.