Why was Jesus offered wine mixed with gall in Matthew 27:34? Canonical Text “they gave Him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, He refused to drink it.” (Matthew 27:34) Comparative Gospel Harmony • Mark 15:23 – “wine mixed with myrrh” • Luke 23:36 – soldiers later offer “sour wine” (Gk. oxos) in mockery. • John 19:28-30 – “a jar of sour wine was sitting there… they held it up to His mouth.” Gall (Gk. cholé) and myrrh (Gk. smurnizo) describe the same practice: a bitter, narcotic-laced drink briefly proffered before crucifixion. Matthew highlights its bitterness; Mark its narcotic element. All four Gospels agree: Jesus first refused a pain-dulling draft, later accepted plain sour wine to wet His lips and proclaim “It is finished.” Historical-Cultural Background 1. Jewish Compassionate Custom The Babylonian Talmud records: “When one is led out to execution, he is given a goblet of wine containing a grain of frankincense, so that his senses be numbed” (b. Sanhedrin 43a), derived from Proverbs 31:6 – “Give strong drink to him who is perishing.” Pious Jerusalem women reportedly financed this ministry of mercy. 2. Roman Practice Roman soldiers customarily carried posca, a sour wine/vinegar drink. Pliny the Elder (Nat. Hist. 14.6) notes its ubiquity among legionaries and its mild antiseptic, thirst-quenching effect. They sometimes laced it with bitter herbs as a quick stupefying agent for condemned prisoners (cf. Quintilian, Decl. 274). Composition of the Mixture • Wine: inexpensive, acetous posca. • Gall/Myrrh: bitter plant alkaloids or resinous myrrh (Commiphora myrrha) acting as analgesic. • Purpose: dull pain, hasten unconsciousness, reduce resistance when nails are driven. Prophetic Fulfillment Psalm 69:21 : “They poisoned my food with gall and gave me vinegar to quench my thirst.” Written c. 1000 BC, cited messianically throughout Second-Temple Judaism (cf. 4QPs a). Matthew deliberately signals fulfillment, embedding the event within a tapestry of Psalm 22-69 motifs already woven through the Passion narrative (mockery, pierced hands and feet, casting lots, etc.). Messianic Significance 1. Full Cup of Wrath In Gethsemane Jesus prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me” (Matthew 26:39). The “cup” symbolizes divine wrath (Isaiah 51:17). By refusing the narcotic, He drains that cup undiluted, experiencing unmitigated suffering for human sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). 2. Voluntary, Conscious Atonement Hebrews 2:9: “by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.” The refusal ensures full consciousness, fulfilling the typology of the Passover lamb—no bone broken, no sacrifice impaired (Exodus 12:5-46). Theological Implications • Substitutionary Suffering – Jesus chooses lucidity to bear sin intentionally (Isaiah 53:11). • Obedience unto Death – Philippians 2:8 highlights deliberate submission, not passive fading. • Example of Endurance – 1 Peter 2:21-24 links His sober suffering to believers’ fortitude. Archaeological & Extra-Biblical Corroboration • Yehohanan Ossuary (Giv‘at Ha-Mitvar, 1968): ankle bone pierced by nail confirms Roman crucifixion in Judea c. AD 30-33. • Masada excavations (Yadin, 1963-5): shards stained with tartaric residue identify soldiers’ posca jars. • Dead Sea Scrolls 4QPs a and 11QMelch interpret Psalm 69 messianically, predating the Gospels, showing prophecy fulfillment is not retro-engineered. Answering Common Objections 1. “Contradiction between gall and myrrh.” – Same mixture described by its bitterness (Matthew) or chief spice (Mark). 2. “Jesus first refused, then drank.” – Two separate offerings: narcotic drink before nailing (refused); plain posca later (accepted) to moisten mouth for final cry (John 19:30). 3. “Roman cruelty negates compassion.” – The merciful draft originated with Jewish women; Romans permitted it as long as it did not hinder execution. Practical Application Believers are called to sober-minded endurance, trusting God in suffering (1 Peter 4:1). Just as Christ declined self-anesthetizing relief to fulfill the Father’s will, disciples may embrace hardship for higher purpose, yet still show mercy by relieving others’ pain (Galatians 6:2). Summary Jesus was offered wine mixed with gall as a customary analgesic for the condemned. He refused to ensure full, conscious participation in the prophetic, substitutionary suffering foretold in Psalm 69:21, thus displaying perfect obedience and fulfilling messianic prophecy. The event is historically credible, textually secure, and theologically rich, underscoring the depth of His love and the completeness of His atonement. |
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