The term "spunge" is an archaic spelling of "sponge," which appears in the context of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, a sponge is mentioned in the accounts of Jesus' crucifixion, where it is used to offer Him a drink while He is on the cross. This event is recorded in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John.

Biblical References:

1. Matthew 27:48 : "One of them quickly ran and brought a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a reed, and held it up for Jesus to drink."

2. Mark 15:36 : "And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine. He put it on a reed and held it up for Jesus to drink, saying, 'Leave Him alone. Let us see if Elijah comes to take Him down.'"

3. John 19:29 : "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."

Context and Significance:

The use of a sponge in these passages is significant for several reasons. First, it fulfills the prophecy found in Psalm 69:21 : "They poisoned my food with gall and gave me vinegar to quench my thirst." This act of offering Jesus sour wine, or vinegar, is seen as a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, underscoring the Messianic nature of Jesus' suffering and death.

The sour wine, or vinegar, was a common drink for Roman soldiers and the lower classes, often used to quench thirst. The act of offering it to Jesus can be interpreted as both an act of mercy and mockery. While some may have intended to alleviate His suffering, others might have used it to prolong His agony or to mock His claim of divine kingship.

The mention of the sponge being placed on a reed or a stalk of hyssop is also noteworthy. Hyssop has symbolic significance in the Bible, particularly in the context of purification and sacrifice. In the Old Testament, hyssop was used in the ceremonial cleansing of lepers and in the application of the blood of the Passover lamb (Exodus 12:22). Thus, the use of hyssop in the crucifixion narrative may symbolize the purification and redemption brought about by Jesus' sacrifice.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the offering of the sponge soaked in sour wine to Jesus highlights the depth of His suffering and the fulfillment of Scripture. It serves as a reminder of the humility and obedience of Christ, who endured the cross for the salvation of humanity. The act also emphasizes the humanity of Jesus, who experienced physical thirst and suffering, yet remained steadfast in His mission to redeem mankind.

In summary, the mention of the sponge in the crucifixion accounts is a small but significant detail that enriches the narrative of Jesus' passion. It connects the events of the New Testament with the prophecies and symbols of the Old Testament, illustrating the continuity of God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ.(n.) A sponge.4699. spoggos -- a sponge
... word Definition a sponge NASB Word Usage sponge (3). a sponge. Perhaps of foreign
origin; a "sponge" -- spunge. (spongon) -- 3 Occurrences. 4698, 4699. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4699.htm - 6k

Synoptical Table
... 48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with
vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the gospel of peter/synoptical table.htm

Crucified, Dead and Buried
... And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, "Behold, he calleth Elias."
And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed ...
/.../mark/jesus of nazareth a biography/chapter xv crucified dead and.htm

An Eye-Witness's Account of the Crucifixion
... Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with
vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to His mouth. ...
/.../an eye-witnesss account of the.htm

The Crucifixion
... This Man calleth for Elias.48. And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge,
and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave Him to drink.49. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the crucifixion.htm

Spunge (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) A sponge. Multi-Version Concordance Spunge
(3 Occurrences). Matthew 27:48 And straightway one of them ...
/s/spunge.htm - 7k

Giving (611 Occurrences)
... Matthew 27:48 and immediately, one of them having run, and having taken a spunge,
having filled 'it' with vinegar, and having put 'it' on a reed, was giving ...
/g/giving.htm - 34k

Spur (3 Occurrences)

/s/spur.htm - 9k

Filled (336 Occurrences)
... Mark 15:36 And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed,
and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come ...
/f/filled.htm - 35k

Elias (30 Occurrences)
... Mark 15:36 And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed,
and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come ...
/e/elias.htm - 15k

Eli'jah (93 Occurrences)
... Mark 15:36 and one having run, and having filled a spunge with vinegar, having put
'it' also on a reed, was giving him to drink, saying, 'Let alone, let us see ...
/e/eli'jah.htm - 31k

Spun (2 Occurrences)

/s/spun.htm - 7k

Sponge (3 Occurrences)
... spunj (spoggos): The word "sponge," the King James Version "spunge," occurs only
in the accounts of our Lord's crucifixion in Matthew 27:48 Mark 15:36 John 19 ...
/s/sponge.htm - 10k

Taking (445 Occurrences)
... Matthew 27:48 and immediately, one of them having run, and having taken a spunge,
having filled 'it' with vinegar, and having put 'it' on a reed, was giving ...
/t/taking.htm - 35k

Straightway (96 Occurrences)
... (ASV). Matthew 27:48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled
it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. (KJV ASV). ...
/s/straightway.htm - 35k

Spunge: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus