At the same time that Mark appeals to his gentile audience by utilizing imagery from the Roman triumphal march, he inserts allusions to the Hebrew Bible. After the Roman soldiers mockingly salute Jesus, his regal clothes are removed, and his own clothes are put back on him (Mark 15:20). Although this is inconsistent with the custom of the triumphator’s wearing of the ceremonial robe throughout the procession, it is necessary to keep in motion another pattern of allusions—to Psalm 22, which speaks of one “scorned…and despised by the people. / All who see me mock at me” (verses 6–7). After crucifying Jesus, the Roman soldiers then cast lots for his garments. This is another allusion to Psalm 22: “They divide my clothes among themselves, / and for my clothing they cast lots” (verse 18).The imagery drawn from this psalm reaches its dramatic climax just a few verses later in Mark’s crucifixion narrative, after Jesus has been nailed to the cross: “Jesus cried out with a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’ which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’” (Mark 15:34). These are the first words of Psalm 22.