Mark 15:24

when they had crucified him The present tense appears to be here the preferable reading, they crucify Him and part His garments among them. There were four kinds of crosses, (i) the crux simplex, a single stake driven through the chest or longitudinally through the body; (ii) the crux decussata(x); (iii) the crux immissa(†); and (iv) the crux commissa(T). From the mention of the title placed over the Saviour's Head, it is probable that His cross was of the third kind, and that He was laid upon it either while it was on the ground, or lifted and fastened to it as it stood upright, His arms stretched out along the two cross-beams, and His body resting on a little projection, sedile, a foot or two above the earth. That His feet were nailed as well as His hands is apparent from Luke 24:39-40.

they parted i. e. the soldiers, a party of four with a centurion (Acts 12:4), for each sufferer, detailed, according to the Roman custom, ad excubias, to mount guard, and see that the bodies were not taken away.

casting lots The dice doubtless were ready at hand, and one of their helmets would serve to throw them.

what every man should take The clothes of the crucified fell to the soldiers who guarded them, as part of their perquisites. The outer garment, or tallîth, they divided into fourth parts, probably loosening the seams. The inner garment, like the robes of the priests, was without seam, woven from the top throughout(John 19:23), of linen or perhaps of wool. It would have been destroyed by rending, so for it they cast lots, unconsciously fulfilling the words spoken long ago by the Psalmist, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots(Psalms 22:18).