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.

And {G1161} one {G1520} ran {G5143} and {G2532} filled {G1072} a spunge {G4699} full {G1072} of vinegar {G3690}, and {G5037} put it on {G4060} a reed {G2563}, and gave {G4222} him {G846} to drink {G4222}, saying {G3004}, Let alone {G863}; let us see {G1492} whether {G1487} Elias {G2243} will come {G2064} to take {G2507} him {G846} down {G2507}.

One ran and soaked a sponge in vinegar, put it on a stick and gave it to him to drink. "Wait!" he said, "Let's see if Eliyahu will come and take him down."

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.”

And one ran, and filling a sponge full of vinegar, put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let be; let us see whether Elijah cometh to take him down.

Context of Mark 15:36

Mark 15:36 describes a poignant moment during the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, just before His death. Having been on the cross for hours, enduring immense physical agony and spiritual torment, Jesus had recently uttered a loud cry, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" (My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?), as recorded in Mark 15:34. This verse captures the reactions of some bystanders to that cry.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Mockery of Suffering: The act of offering Jesus vinegar, while seemingly an act of quenching thirst, is immediately followed by a sarcastic challenge. The "vinegar" (Greek: oxos), a common sour wine or diluted vinegar, was a cheap drink for soldiers and laborers. Though it might offer some relief, the accompanying words reveal a cruel intent, highlighting the relentless mockery Jesus endured.
  • Misunderstanding and Unbelief: Some of the onlookers misinterpreted Jesus' cry of "Eloi" as a call for "Elias" (Elijah). This misinterpretation, whether genuine or feigned, fueled their taunts. They challenged God's power and Elijah's prophetic role, suggesting that if Jesus were truly the Messiah or favored by God, Elijah would intervene to save Him. This reflects the deep-seated unbelief and spiritual blindness prevalent among many.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: The offering of sour wine to Jesus on the cross subtly fulfills Old Testament prophecy, particularly Psalm 69:21, which states, "They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink." This detail underscores that every aspect of Jesus' suffering was part of God's sovereign plan of redemption.
  • The Humanity of Jesus: Despite His divine nature, Jesus experienced the full spectrum of human suffering, including thirst and the pain of being mocked during His most vulnerable moments. This emphasizes His complete identification with humanity in His sacrifice.

Linguistic Insights

The term "vinegar" in this context refers to a common, cheap, sour wine or vinegar-water mixture (Greek: oxos). It was not necessarily a refined drink but was accessible. The reference to "Elias" is the Greek form of the Hebrew prophet Elijah, whose return was anticipated by many Jews as a forerunner to the Messiah, as prophesied in Malachi 4:5.

Practical Application

Mark 15:36 challenges us to reflect on our own responses to suffering, both our own and that of others. Do we offer compassion and understanding, or do we contribute to the pain through ridicule or indifference? The scene reminds us of the profound depth of Christ's sacrifice, where even in His final moments, He endured not only physical agony but also the humiliation of human cruelty and misunderstanding. It calls believers to a deeper appreciation of the atoning work of Jesus on the cross, a sacrifice made amidst scorn and unbelief.

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.

  • Psalms 69:21

    They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

  • Mark 15:23

    And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received [it] not.

  • Luke 23:36

    And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,

  • John 19:28

    After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

  • John 19:30

    When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

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