And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,
And {G1161} the soldiers {G4757} also {G2532} mocked {G1702} him {G846}, coming {G4334} to him, and {G2532} offering {G4374} him {G846} vinegar {G3690},
The soldiers too ridiculed him; they came up, offered him vinegar
The soldiers also mocked Him and came up to offer Him sour wine.
And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, offering him vinegar,
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.
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Psalms 69:21
They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. -
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. -
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 to take him down. -
Matthew 27:34
They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted [thereof], he would not drink. -
Mark 15:19
And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing [their] knees worshipped him. -
Mark 15:20
And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him. -
John 19:28
After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
Luke 23:36 continues the somber narrative of Jesus' crucifixion, highlighting the relentless mockery and humiliation He endured at the hands of those around Him, even as He hung on the cross.
Context
This verse is set at Golgotha, immediately after Jesus has been crucified between two criminals. The preceding verses describe the crowd, rulers, and soldiers observing His suffering. While the rulers scoffed (Luke 23:35), this verse specifically details the actions of the Roman soldiers. Their mockery, offering Him vinegar, was part of a series of abuses Jesus suffered leading up to and during His crucifixion, including scourging, a crown of thorns, and being dressed in a purple robe as a mock king (Matthew 27:27-31, Mark 15:16-20).
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Greek word for "mocked" here is empaizō (ἐμπαίζω), which implies to play with, to ridicule, or to treat with scorn. It conveys a sense of contemptuous jesting and deliberate humiliation. The "vinegar" (Greek: oxos, ὄξος) was a common sour wine or diluted vinegar, often consumed by soldiers and laborers for refreshment. While sometimes offered as an anesthetic (mixed with gall, Matthew 27:34), here it is presented in mockery, emphasizing His thirst and helplessness rather than offering relief.
Significance and Application
Luke 23:36 is a powerful reminder of the immense suffering Jesus willingly endured for humanity. The soldiers' mockery highlights the contempt of the world for God's divine plan and the King He sent. For believers, this verse underscores the depth of Christ's sacrifice and His unwavering commitment to His mission, even in the face of extreme abuse. It calls us to reflect on our own attitudes towards suffering and injustice, and to remember that true strength often lies in patient endurance and faithfulness, as exemplified by Jesus on the cross. His enduring such scorn should inspire us to stand firm in our faith even when ridiculed or facing adversity, trusting in His ultimate triumph and the exaltation that followed His humiliation.