Topical Bible: Wine: Cheap Wine (Like Vinegar) Given to Jesus at the Crucifixion

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In the biblical narrative of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, a poignant moment occurs when He is offered a drink of sour wine, often described as being akin to vinegar. This event is recorded in all four Gospels, highlighting its significance in the Passion narrative.

Biblical Accounts

The Gospel of Matthew records, "There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, He refused to drink it" (Matthew 27:34). Later, as Jesus neared death, "one of them quickly ran and brought a sponge. He filled it with sour wine, put it on a reed, and held it up for Jesus to drink" (Matthew 27:48).

Mark's Gospel similarly notes, "They gave Him wine mixed with myrrh, but He did not take it" (Mark 15:23). At the moment of His death, "someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine. He put it on a reed and held it up for Jesus to drink" (Mark 15:36).

Luke's account is more succinct, stating, "The soldiers also mocked Him and came up to offer Him sour wine" (Luke 23:36).

John provides additional detail, emphasizing the fulfillment of Scripture: "After this, knowing that everything had now been accomplished, and to fulfill the Scripture, Jesus said, 'I am thirsty.' A jar of sour wine was sitting there. So they soaked a sponge in the wine, put it on a stalk of hyssop, and lifted it to His mouth" (John 19:28-29).

Theological Significance

The offering of sour wine to Jesus is rich with theological implications. It fulfills the prophecy found in Psalm 69:21: "They gave me poison for food, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink." This act underscores the suffering and humiliation Jesus endured, as even in His final moments, He was offered a drink that was more an insult than a comfort.

The sour wine, a cheap and common drink for Roman soldiers, symbolizes the scorn and rejection Jesus faced. It contrasts sharply with the Last Supper, where Jesus offered His disciples wine as a symbol of His blood, establishing the New Covenant (Matthew 26:27-28).

Symbolism and Reflection

For believers, the sour wine serves as a reminder of the bitterness of sin and the cost of redemption. It calls Christians to reflect on the depth of Christ's sacrifice and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan through Jesus' suffering and death.

In the broader biblical context, wine often symbolizes joy and blessing. However, the sour wine at the crucifixion represents the inversion of these themes, highlighting the gravity of the moment and the weight of humanity's sin borne by Christ.

Conclusion

The offering of cheap wine to Jesus at the crucifixion is a profound moment that encapsulates the suffering, fulfillment of prophecy, and the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. It invites believers to contemplate the depth of God's love and the price of salvation, encouraging a response of gratitude and devotion.

Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 27:48
And straightway one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.
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Mark 15:23
And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.
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Luke 23:36
And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,
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John 19:29
Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it on hyssop, and put it to his mouth.
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Library

Crucified, Dead, and Buried. '
... and fixing it, by draughts of the cheap wine of the ... John reads markedly like that
of an eyewitness, and he a ... John, or rather given place to the Jewish modes of ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xv crucified dead and.htm

The Desire of the Righteous Granted;
... a righteous man will one die,' and the like, are texts ... faith, the Spirit, nor any
grace, is given unto the ... fruit of the righteousness which is by Jesus Christ. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the desire of the righteous.htm