Mark 15:23
And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Mark 15:23
And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Jesus refused the offered wine mixed with myrrh not just to avoid dulling his senses, but to consciously embrace the fullness of suffering as a testament to his obedience and mission. By refusing this anesthetic, he chose to endure the cross with full awareness, demonstrating a profound willingness to experience every facet of the pain for humanity's sake.
As Jesus is led to Golgotha for crucifixion, a painful and public execution, a custom of offering a drugged drink to dull the suffering is presented to Him. This moment unfolds amidst the brutal preparations and the mockery of the crowd and authorities, highlighting the immense physical and emotional anguish Jesus endures. He had already been forced to carry His cross and is about to be nailed to it, with two criminals to be crucified alongside Him.
Before Jesus was even nailed to the cross, an offer was made. Was it a compassionate act or something darker?
The soldiers offered Jesus wine mixed with myrrh. This drink, often described as wine mixed with gall or vinegar, was a common practice for those condemned to crucifixion.
A Merciful Custom?
Historically, this drink served as a mild anesthetic or narcotic. It was intended to dull the pain and stupefy the condemned, making the agonizing experience of crucifixion slightly more bearable. Some scholars suggest it was a customary act of pseudo-compassion offered by the executioners.
A Darker Intent?
However, the gospels also hint at a mocking intent. The drink might have been offered with the taunting purpose of seeing if Jesus would accept a numbing agent, perhaps in response to His known suffering. Regardless of the primary intent of the soldiers, Jesus's response is what truly matters.
This highlights a tension: an act that could be seen as merciful by Jewish custom, potentially twisted into cruelty by the Roman soldiers.
Why would Jesus refuse even a potential pain reliever? His decision reveals a profound commitment to His mission.
Jesus tasted the offered wine but refused to drink it. This wasn't a simple rejection of bitterness; it was a conscious choice to remain fully aware throughout His crucifixion.
Full Consciousness of Suffering
By refusing the soporific mixture, Jesus chose to experience the full weight of the physical and emotional agony of the cross. This allowed Him to be fully present in His suffering, experiencing every moment as a sacrifice.
Obedience to the Father's Will
His refusal underscores His perfect obedience to the Father's plan. He wasn't trying to escape the pain, but to fulfill the purpose of His suffering with complete clarity and intentionality. He needed to be lucid to offer Himself as the perfect atonement.
Understand the original words
smurnismenon · Greek Adjective/Participle
A fragrant resin often used in ancient times as perfume, incense, or medicine; in this context, it was likely offered as an analgesic to dull pain.
The offer of wine mixed with myrrh was a customary, albeit harsh, Roman practice to dull the pain of crucifixion. Jesus' refusal wasn't just about disliking the taste; it was a conscious choice to remain fully aware, to experience the full weight of God's wrath for humanity's sins, and to offer himself completely, without the numbing effect of a drug.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Jesus' Crucifixion
Jesus is arrested, tried, and sentenced to crucifixion by the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. This event is the central focus of the Gospel narratives.
c. 30 AD
Simon of Cyrene Compelled to Carry Cross
Simon, a man from Cyrene in North Africa, is forced by Roman soldiers to carry Jesus' cross to Golgotha because Jesus was too weak to continue.
c. 30 AD
The Offer of Myrrhed Wine
Before being fully fastened to the cross, Jesus is offered a drink of wine mixed with myrrh, a custom to stupefy condemned prisoners, which he refuses.
c. 30 AD
Crucifixion at Golgotha
Jesus is crucified at a place called Golgotha, or the Place of a Skull, outside Jerusalem, alongside two criminals.
Matthew's Gospel also records the offering of a drink to Jesus before the crucifixion, describing it as 'wine mixed with gall,' which highlights the bitter suffering He faced. This provides a fuller picture of the somber drink offered, contrasting with Jesus' willingness to endure the pain without it.
Luke 23:36This passage describes the soldiers offering Jesus sour wine after His crucifixion, a different instance than the pre-crucifixion drink. It underscores the soldiers' mockery and cruelty, contrasting with Jesus' own offer of forgiveness.
John 19:29John's Gospel mentions Jesus saying 'I thirst' and being given a sponge filled with sour wine. This passage reveals Jesus expressing a physical need and accepting a drink, likely after His refusal of the earlier drugged wine, showing His acceptance of human limitations in His suffering.
Proverbs 31:6The commentators note a connection to this Proverb, 'Give strong drink to him that is perishing, and wine to those whose soul is in bitterness.' This shows the custom of offering a stupefying drink to the condemned was rooted in a desire to ease their final suffering, a mercy Jesus refused.
Psalm 22:18While not directly about the drink, this Psalm (quoted in the commentaries regarding the soldiers dividing Jesus' garments) speaks of the suffering and ridicule Jesus endured. His refusal of the myrrh-laced wine can be seen as a deliberate choice to fully embrace the suffering described in this Psalm, not to numb it.
barnesMark 15:23: "And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not."
Wine mingled ... - Matthew says "vinegar." It was probably "wine soured," so that it might be called either. This was the common drink of the Roman soldiers. Myrrh - See the notes at Matthew 27:34.
expositorsMark 15:21-32: "And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross."
CHAPTER 15:21-32 (Mark 15:21-32)CHRIST CRUCIFIED "And they compel one passing by, Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to go with them, that he might bear His cross. And they bring Him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. And they offered Him wine mingled with myrrh: b…
Jesus refused the offered wine mixed with myrrh not just to avoid dulling his senses, but to consciously embrace the fullness of suffering as a testament to his obedience and mission. By refusing this anesthetic, he chose to endure the cross with full awareness, demonstrating a profound willingness to experience every facet of the pain for humanity's sake.
As Jesus is led to Golgotha for crucifixion, a painful and public execution, a custom of offering a drugged drink to dull the suffering is presented to Him. This moment unfolds amidst the brutal preparations and the mockery of the crowd and authorities, highlighting the immense physical and emotional anguish Jesus endures. He had already been forced to carry His cross and is about to be nailed to it, with two criminals to be crucified alongside Him.
As Jesus is led to Golgotha for crucifixion, a painful and public execution, a custom of offering a drugged drink to dull the suffering is presented to Him. This moment unfolds amidst the brutal preparations and the mockery of the crowd and authorities, highlighting the immense physical and emotional anguish Jesus endures. He had already been forced to carry His cross and is about to be nailed to it, with two criminals to be crucified alongside Him.
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A Model for Us
Jesus's choice stands as a powerful example for us. It challenges the instinct to numb ourselves to difficult realities or to seek escape through artificial means. Instead, He calls us to face our trials with clear eyes and a surrendered will.
c. 30 AD
Soldiers Cast Lots for Garments
The Roman soldiers divide Jesus' clothing among themselves by casting lots, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy.
c. 30 AD
The Superscription
A sign is placed above Jesus' head, identifying him as 'The King of the Jews,' a title intended as an insult but ultimately proclaiming his true identity.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Final Words and Death
During his hours on the cross, Jesus speaks his final words, commends his spirit to God, and dies.
"And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it." — Jesus refused the offered wine mixed with myrrh not just to avoid dulling his senses, but to consciously embrace the fullness of suffering as a testament to his obedience and mission. By refusing thi…