Charles Ellicott Commentary John 19:23

"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." — John 19:23 (ASV)

On John 19:23-24, compare the notes on Matthew 27:35-36 and Luke 23:34. St. John’s account is again more detailed 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 around 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. (Compare the account of Aaron’s tunic in Josephus, Antiquities, Book 3, Chapter 7, § 4.)