Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Mark 15:24

"And they crucify him, and part his garments among them, casting lots upon them, what each should take." — Mark 15:24 (ASV)

Mark simply says, “And they crucified him.” What incredible restraint! Especially when one considers that crucifixion was, as Cicero said, “the cruelest and most hideous punishment possible.” Death by crucifixion could come very slowly (see comment on Mt 27:32– 44). If the victim was slow in dying, his legs would be broken by a club to hasten suffocation. Jesus had been so brutally beaten and lost so much blood that when the soldiers came to him to see whether they would have to break his legs, he was dead already (cf. Jn 19:31-33).

Jesus’ clothes had been removed when he was nailed to the cross. They were now in the hands of the soldiers, who proceeded to while away their time by casting lots for them (cf. Psalms 22:18).