How does Mark 15:36 demonstrate Jesus' fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy? The Moment Captured “One man ran and soaked a sponge in sour wine. He put it on a reed and offered it to Jesus to drink. ‘Wait!’ he said. ‘Let us see if Elijah comes to take Him down.’” (Mark 15:36) Linking the Sour Wine to Psalm 69:21 • Psalm 69:21 foretold, “They put gall in my food, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” • “Gall” and “vinegar” (sour wine) describe the exact drink placed on the reed. • Mark’s detail is not incidental; it is a direct echo of David’s Spirit-inspired description of the Suffering One. • By receiving that sour wine, Jesus fulfills the prophecy to the letter, displaying that even minor details of His passion were previewed centuries earlier. Why the Vinegar Matters • Confirms Jesus as the righteous sufferer of Psalm 69, a psalm frequently quoted in the New Testament (John 2:17; Romans 15:3). • Underscores the accuracy of Scripture—what was written in poetic lament becomes literal history at the cross. • Shows God’s sovereignty: the Roman soldiers, unaware of prophecy, unwittingly carry it out. The Mocking Cry About Elijah • Malachi 4:5 foretold that Elijah would precede “the great and dreadful day of the LORD.” • The crowd’s taunt, “Let us see if Elijah comes,” reveals their blindness; they wait for a sign already fulfilled through John the Baptist (Matthew 11:10-14). • Their mockery magnifies prophecy again: the Messiah suffers rejection even while fulfilling every promise. Other Prophecies Converging in the Same Scene • Psalm 22:18 – casting lots for His clothing (Mark 15:24). • Psalm 22:7-8 – sneering and shaking heads (Mark 15:29-30). • Isaiah 53:12 – numbered with transgressors (Mark 15:27-28). Takeaway for Today Mark 15:36 is one small verse, yet it stitches Jesus’ final moments to ancient prophecy with precision. The sour wine, the crowd’s Elijah taunt, and the surrounding details together shout: God’s Word stands true, and Jesus is exactly who the Scriptures said He would be—the promised, suffering, and saving Messiah. |
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