Matthew 27:34
they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus' refusal to drink the drugged wine isn't just about enduring pain; it's a deliberate choice to fully experience and conquer each moment of suffering for us, keeping His senses sharp and His purpose clear to the very end. It highlights His active participation in His own sacrifice, not a passive endurance.
As Jesus is led to Golgotha for crucifixion, the soldiers prepare to carry out the brutal sentence. While the Gospel accounts differ slightly on the exact mixture offered to Jesus—vinegar with gall versus wine with myrrh—the intention was the same: a narcotic potion meant to numb the pain of crucifixion. Jesus, however, tasted it and refused, choosing instead to face the agony of the cross fully conscious, fully present for His Father's will.
Did the people offering Jesus a drink during His crucifixion intend kindness or cruelty? The answer might surprise you.
The passage mentions a drink offered to Jesus, described as 'vinegar mixed with gall' by Matthew, and 'wine mixed with myrrh' by Mark.
A Custom of the Time
It was a common practice in Roman-occupied lands to offer condemned individuals a potion before crucifixion. This mixture, often of sour wine (vinegar) and a bitter substance like myrrh or gall, was intended to act as a stupefying draught.
Purpose of the Potion
This potion served two main purposes:
Some scholars suggest this act of mercy was even provided by compassionate women in Jerusalem, acting on principles found in Proverbs 31:6-7, which speaks of giving strong drink to those 'ready to perish' or 'bitter of soul.' While the soldiers may have also been involved, the initial offering seems to stem from a desire to alleviate suffering.
Why would Jesus refuse a drink meant to ease His pain? His refusal reveals a profound commitment.
Jesus tasted the offered mixture, and then He refused to drink it. This action wasn't a mere aversion to a bitter taste; it was a deliberate choice.
A Will to Endure
Unlike other condemned individuals who might welcome a numbing potion, Jesus refused.
Understand the original words
oinos · Greek Noun
The fermented juice of grapes, used in biblical times as a common beverage, often associated with joy, judgment, or, as here, a medicinal or numbing agent offered to those undergoing execution.
cholē · Greek Noun
A bitter-tasting substance (often linked to wormwood or myrrh) added to drink, biblically associated with bitterness, sorrow, or judgment; here used to potentially numb the senses before crucifixion.
The differing Gospel accounts of wine, vinegar, myrrh, and gall reflect both the specific traditions surrounding Roman executions and the theological significance attached to Jesus' suffering, highlighting His deliberate choice to endure the full cup of God's wrath without mitigation.
c. 970 BC
Proverbs written
The Book of Proverbs, containing wisdom literature, is traditionally attributed to King Solomon and likely compiled during this era. It later provides a basis for understanding the custom of offering a stupefying drink to condemned criminals.
c. 700 BC
Psalm 69 written
This psalm, often interpreted as a Messianic prophecy, describes suffering and the offering of 'gall' and 'vinegar' to the afflicted, which is later seen as foreshadowing Jesus' experience.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus' Crucifixion
Jesus is crucified at Golgotha. During this event, He is offered a drink of vinegar mixed with gall (or wine mingled with myrrh, depending on the Gospel account), which He tastes but refuses.
c. AD 60-62
Gospels of Mark and Luke written
Mark and Luke record the events of Jesus' life, including the crucifixion. Their accounts mention a drink offered to Jesus, with Mark specifying wine mingled with myrrh, while Luke focuses on the lament of the women.
This Old Testament passage is directly alluded to, with the psalmist crying out, 'They gave me gall for my food and vinegar for my thirst.' This connection highlights the prophetic fulfillment of the suffering Jesus endured, showing that His ordeal was foretold.
Proverbs 31:6'Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter anguish.' This verse explains the Jewish custom of offering a stupefying drink to condemned criminals, which was likely the intent behind the mixture offered to Jesus, though He refused it.
Isaiah 53:12This prophecy states, 'he poured out his soul unto death... and bore the sin of many.' Jesus' refusal to drink the drugged wine shows His resolve to bear the full weight of sin and suffering, not to numb it, aligning with His atoning mission.
Mark 15:23Mark's Gospel also records this event but describes the drink as 'wine mingled with myrrh.' The similarity in the accounts, despite differing descriptions of the mixture, underscores the consistent tradition of a drugged drink being offered, which Jesus rejected.
John 19:30Later, after Jesus had endured the cross, John records that 'when Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, 'It is finished.'' This shows Jesus drinking a different, un-drugged beverage when His suffering was nearly complete, emphasizing His control and purpose throughout His ordeal.
vincentMatthew 27:34: "They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink."
Wine (οἶνον)The older texts read ὄξος, vinegar. The compound of wine and gall was intended as a stupefying draught.
clarkeMatthew 27:34: "They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink."
They gave him vinegar - mingled with gall - Perhaps χολη, commonly translated gall, signifies no more than bitters of any kind. It was a common custom to administer a stupefying potion compounded of sour wine, which is the same as vinegar, from the French vinaigre, frankincense, and myrrh, to condemned persons, to help to alleviate their sufferings, or so disturb their intellec…
Jesus' refusal to drink the drugged wine isn't just about enduring pain; it's a deliberate choice to fully experience and conquer each moment of suffering for us, keeping His senses sharp and His purpose clear to the very end. It highlights His active participation in His own sacrifice, not a passive endurance.
As Jesus is led to Golgotha for crucifixion, the soldiers prepare to carry out the brutal sentence. While the Gospel accounts differ slightly on the exact mixture offered to Jesus—vinegar with gall versus wine with myrrh—the intention was the same: a narcotic potion meant to numb the pain of crucifixion. Jesus, however, tasted it and refused, choosing instead to face the agony of the cross fully conscious, fully present for His Father's will.
As Jesus is led to Golgotha for crucifixion, the soldiers prepare to carry out the brutal sentence. While the Gospel accounts differ slightly on the exact mixture offered to Jesus—vinegar with gall versus wine with myrrh—the intention was the same: a narcotic potion meant to numb the pain of crucifixion. Jesus, however, tasted it and refused, choosing instead to face the agony of the cross fully conscious, fully present for His Father's will.
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His refusal underscores His unique mission: to truly suffer for humanity, not to have His suffering lessened. He chose to 'tread the winepress alone' (Isaiah 63:3), embracing the unvarnished agony for our salvation.
c. AD 60-70
Gospel of Matthew written
Matthew's Gospel records the event, stating Jesus was offered vinegar mingled with gall. This account, along with Mark's, reflects the tradition of offering a stupefying potion to those being executed.
c. AD 90-100
Gospel of John written
John's Gospel also recounts the crucifixion, noting that Jesus was offered sour wine (vinegar) after His suffering began, which He accepted, differing from the earlier refusal of the stupefying drink.
"they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it." — Jesus' refusal to drink the drugged wine isn't just about enduring pain; it's a deliberate choice to fully experience and conquer each moment of suffering for us, keeping His senses sharp and His pur…
