Matthew 27:35-38

27:35 When ¹  they had crucified ²  him, they divided his clothes by throwing dice. ³  27:36 Then they sat down and kept guard over him there. 27:37 Above ⁴  his head they put the charge against him, ⁵  which read: ⁶  “This is Jesus, the king of the Jews.” 27:38 Then two outlaws were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.

Matthew 27:44

27:44 The ⁷  robbers who were crucified with him also spoke abusively to him. ⁸ 

¹ tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

² sn See the note on crucified in 20:19.

³ tn Grk “by throwing the lot” (probably by using marked pebbles or broken pieces of pottery). A modern equivalent, “throwing dice,” was chosen here because of its association with gambling. According to L&N 6.219 a term for “dice” is particularly appropriate.

⁴ tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.

⁵ sn Mention of the inscription is an important detail, because the inscription would normally give the reason for the execution. It shows that Jesus was executed for claiming to be a king. It was also probably written with irony from the executioners’ point of view.

⁶ tn Grk “was written.”

⁷ tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

⁸ sn Matthew’s wording suggests that both of the criminals spoke abusively to him. If so, one of them quickly changed his attitude toward Jesus (see Luke 23:40-43).