Definition: And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this incredibly important passage from the Bible – Mark 15:24. It's a really stark and dramatic description of Jesus’ final moments. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, they were dumping things onto his clothes to decide who would be his punishment. Let's unpack that a little more: “When they had crucified him…” This tells us the story is happening after Jesus was nailed to the cross. It’s a moment of intense drama and finality. “…they parted his garments…” This means they removed the material covering Jesus' clothes, like a cloak or robe. It was a symbolic action – stripping him of his earthly attire. “And cast lots upon them…” This is the key part. They weren’t just tossing things around him. They were actively disregarding each other and dividing up the items they had to decide who would get what. It suggests a competition, maybe a bit of chaos. “What every man should take.” This is the unsettling part. They weren't deciding about who was punished – that’s already decided. Instead, they were essentially choosing what each person would receive as a reward or punishment. It implies a sense of a final, chaotic distribution of their belongings. What does this verse tell us about Jesus? It suggests: A Final Judgment: The act of dividing the items is a symbolic representation of the judgment that’s happening. A Sense of Chaos and Disregard: It portrays a moment where the people weren't thinking clearly or respecting the importance of the sacrifice. They were focused on their own self-interest, choosing what to take from Jesus. Important Note: The exact meaning of this event is debated by scholars. Some interpret it as a display of the crowd’s anger and desire for a swift punishment, while others see it as a deliberate action to prevent further chaos or a symbolic representation of the final judgment. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Give you a little more context about the events leading up to this passage? Discuss the symbolism behind this event in more detail?