TRV
“The Crucifixion of Jesus”· Matthew 27:32–50
Translation
King James Version
They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.
Complete Jewish Bible
they gave him wine mixed with bitter gall to drink; but after tasting it, he would not drink it.
Berean Standard Bible
they offered Him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, He refused to drink it.
American Standard Version
they gave him wine to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted it, he would not drink.
World English Bible Messianic
They gave him sour wine to drink mixed with gall. When he had tasted it, he would not drink.
Geneva Bible (1599)
They gaue him vineger to drinke, mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drinke.
Young's Literal Translation
they gave him to drink vinegar mixed with gall, and having tasted, he would not drink.
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Yes, and besides the figure, there is contumely with ready lip, and dishonour, and infamy, and the ferocity involved in the cruel things which then disfigured and lacerated the temples of the Lord, that you may now be crowned with laurel, and myrtle, and olive, and any famous branch, and which is of more use, with hundred-leaved roses too, culled from the garden of Midas, and with both kinds of lily, and with violets of all sorts, perhaps also with gems and gold, so as even to rival that crown of Christ which He afterwards obtained. For it was after the gall He tasted the honeycomb and He was not greeted as King of Glory in heavenly places till He had been condemned to the cross as King of the Jews, having first been made by the Father for a time a little less than the angels, and so crowned with glory and honour.
On the other hand, Christ, who spoke not guile from His mouth, and who exhibited all righteousness and humility, not only (as we have above recorded it predicted of Him) was not exposed to that kind of death for his own deserts, but (was so exposed) in order that what was predicted by the prophets as destined to come upon Him through your means might be fulfilled; just as, in the Psalms, the Spirit Himself of Christ was already singing, saying, "They were repaying me evil for good; " and, "What I had not seized I was then paying in full; " They exterminated my hands and feet; " and, "They put into my drink gall, and in my thirst they slaked me with vinegar; " "Upon my vesture they did cast (the) lot; " just as the other (outrages) which you were to commit on Him were foretold,-all which He, actually and thoroughly suffering, suffered not for any evil action of His own, but "that the Scriptures from the mouth of the prophets might be fulfilled."
Just as it sufficed for the Lord only to taste "vinegar mixed with gall," so also was it sufficient for our benefit that he only taste death, which lasted no longer than three days. The other wine, however, which was not "mixed with gall" or with anything else, he took and drank, and "when he had given thanks," he gave it to his disciples, promising that he would drink it "anew in the kingdom of God."
For a Jew was not worthy to bear Christ's cross, but it was reserved for the faith of the Gentiles both to take the cross, and to suffer with Him.
Such is the place of the cross, set up in the centre of the earth, that it might be equally free to all nations to attain the knowledge of God.
Or, He therefore refused the wine mingled with gall, because the bitterness of sin is not mingled with the incorruption of eternal glory.
When they had come to Golgotha, the Gospel says, “They gave him vinegar mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he refused to drink.” This event was foretold by David when he wrote, “They gave me gall for food, and they gave me vinegar to slake my thirst.” Take note of the mystery revealed here. Long ago, Adam tasted the sweetness of the apple and obtained the bitterness of death for the whole human race. In contrast to this, the Lord tasted the bitterness of gall and obtained our restoration from death’s sting to the sweetness of life. He took on himself the bitterness of gall in order to extinguish in us the bitterness of death. He received acrid vinegar into himself but poured out for us the precious wine of his blood. He suffered evil and returned good. He accepted death and gave life. The location of his death is also not without significance, for it is reported that the body of Adam is buried in that very ground. Christ was crucified there where Adam was buried, that life might arise where death once entered. Death comes through Adam, but life comes through Christ, who deigned to be crucified and to die so that by the wood of the cross he might erase the sin of the tree and by the mystery of his own death he might cancel the punishment of our death.
For after "they had mocked Him, they led Him to crucify Him," it is said, and when they had stripped Him, they took His garments, and sat down and watched Him, when He should die. And they divide His garments amongst them, which sort of thing is done in the case of very vile and abject criminals, and such as have no one belonging to them, and are in utter desolation.
They parted the garments, by which such great miracles were done. But they wrought none now, Christ restraining His unspeakable power. And this was no small addition of insult. For as to one base and abject, as I said, and the vilest of all men; so do they dare to do all things. To the thieves at any rate they did nothing of the kind, but to Christ they dare it all. And they crucified Him in the midst of them, that He might share in their reputation.
And they gave Him gall to drink, and this to insult Him, but He would not. But another saith, that having tasted it, He said, "It is finished." And what meaneth, "It is finished?" The prophecy was fulfilled concerning Him. "For they gave me," it is said, "gall for my meat, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink." But neither doth that evangelist indicate that He drank, for merely to taste differs not from not drinking, but hath one and the same signification.
(Hom. de Cruc. et Lat. ii.) The Lord would not suffer under a roof, or in the Jewish Temple, that you should not suppose that He was offered for that people alone; but without the city, without the walls, that you might know that the sacrifice was common, that it was the offering of the whole earth, that the purification was general.
It is to be noted, that when Jesus is scourged and spit upon, He has not on His own garments, but those which He took for our sins; but when He is crucified, and the show of His mockery is completed, then He takes again His former garments, and His own dress, and immediately the elements are shaken, and the creature gives testimony to the Creator.
Let none think that John's narrative contradicts this place of the Evangelist. John says that the Lord went forth from the prætorium bearing His cross; Matthew tells, that they found a man of Cyrene upon whom they laid Jesus' cross. We must suppose that as Jesus went out of the prætorium, He was bearing His cross, and that afterwards they met Simon, whom they compelled to bear it.
Figuratively, the nations take up the cross, and the foreigner by obedience bears the ignominy of the Saviour.
I have heard Calvary expoundedb as the spot in which Adam was buried, as though it had been so called from the head of the old man being buried there. A plausible interpretation, and agreeable to the ears of the people, yet not a true one. Without the city outside the gate are the places where criminals are executed, and these have got the name of Calvary, that is, of the beheaded. And Jesus was crucified there, that where the plot of criminals had been, there might be set up the flag of martyrdom. But Adam was buried near Ebron and Arbee, as we read in the volume of Jesus the son of Navec.
The bitter vine makes bitter wine; this they gave the Lord Jesus to drink, that that might be fulfilled which was written, They gave me also gall for my meat. (Ps. 69:21.) And God addresses Jerusalem, I had planted there a true vine, how art thou turned into the bitterness of a strange vine? (Jer. 2:21.)
(Verse 34.) And they gave him vinegar to drink mixed with gall, and when he had tasted it, he would not drink. God speaks to Jerusalem: I have planted you as a true vine, how have you become bitter like a foreign vine (Jeremiah II, 21)? A bitter vine makes bitter wine, which they gave to the Lord Jesus, so that what is written may be fulfilled: They gave me gall for my food, and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink (Psalm LXVIII, 22). But when it is said, 'And when he had tasted, he did not want to drink,' this indicates that he did indeed taste the bitterness of death for us, but on the third day he rose again.
And they gave him to drink wine mingled with gall. Mark says, mingled with myrrh. Matthew put gall (Mark 15:23.) to express bitterness, but wine mingled with myrrh is very bitter; though indeed it might be, that gall together with myrrh would make the most bitter.
And when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. That Mark says, But he received it not, we understand to mean that He would not receive it to drink thereof. For that He tasted it Matthew bears witness; so that Matthew's, He could not drink thereof, means exactly the same as Mark's, He received it not; only Mark does not mention His tasting it.
That He tasted but would not drink of it, signifies that He tasted the bitterness of death for us, but rose again the third day.
For this Simon was not a man of Jerusalem, but a foreigner, and denizen, being a Cyrenean; Cyrene is a town of Lybia. Simon is interpreted 'obedient,' and a Cyrenean 'an heir;' whence he well denotes the people of the Gentiles, which was strange to the testaments of God, but by believing became a fellow-citizen of the saints, of the household, and an heir of God.
(Hom. in. Ev. xxxii. 3.) Or otherwise; By Simon who bears the burden of the Lord's cross are denoted those who are abstinent and proud; these by their abstinence afflict their flesh, but seek not within the fruit of abstinence. Thus Simon bears the cross, but does not die thereon, as these afflict the body, but in desire of vain-glory live to the world.
Golgotha is a Syriac word, and is interpreted Calvary.
Non occ.: After the Evangelist had narrated what concerned the mocking of Christ, he proceeds to His crucifixion.
(non occ. Aug. de Cons. Ev. iii. 9.) After the Evangelist had narrated what concerned the mocking of Christ, he proceeds to His crucifixion.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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Summary
Matthew 27:34 describes a critical moment in Jesus' crucifixion narrative where, just before being nailed to the cross, He is offered a pain-dulling drink of vinegar mingled with gall. His deliberate refusal to consume it underscores His conscious decision to fully endure the physical and spiritual agony of the cross, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy and highlighting the intentional nature of His atoning sacrifice for humanity's sins.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is situated at the precipice of Jesus' crucifixion, immediately following His condemnation by Pilate and the mocking by the soldiers. The preceding verses detail His scourging, the crown of thorns, and the purple robe, all designed to humiliate and inflict pain. Matthew 27:34 serves as a poignant transition, marking the final act before the actual nailing to the cross. It sets the stage for the profound suffering that is about to unfold, emphasizing Jesus' active role in confronting His destiny rather than passively submitting to it. The narrative flow highlights the escalating brutality and Jesus' unwavering resolve, preparing the reader for the ultimate sacrifice.
Historical & Cultural Context
Roman crucifixion was a brutal form of capital punishment designed to maximize suffering and public humiliation. It was customary to offer condemned individuals a pain-dulling substance, often a mixture of wine or vinegar with bitter herbs or narcotics like myrrh, to alleviate some of the agony or hasten death. This practice, while seemingly merciful, also served to make the execution less disruptive for the Roman authorities. Golgotha, or "the Place of a Skull," was a common execution site outside Jerusalem's city walls, visible to passersby, further amplifying the public spectacle of Jesus' death. The offering in this verse reflects a common, though grim, aspect of Roman judicial procedure, which Jesus deliberately subverted.
Key Themes
Matthew 27:34 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Matthew's Gospel and the broader Passion narrative. It powerfully illustrates the theme of Fulfillment of Prophecy, directly echoing the suffering described in Psalm 69:21. Furthermore, Jesus' refusal to drink emphasizes His Conscious and Deliberate Suffering, highlighting that His atonement was not a coerced act but a willing sacrifice, a theme consistent with His teachings about laying down His life (e.g., John 10:17-18). This moment also underscores the Nature of His Sacrifice as complete and unmitigated, bearing the full weight of sin without any numbing agent, thereby securing a perfect redemption for all who believe.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This term refers to sour wine, a common and cheap drink for soldiers and laborers in the ancient world. While it could be offered as a simple refreshment, in the context of crucifixion, it was often mixed with other substances to dull pain. Its sourness and bitterness foreshadow the profound suffering Jesus was about to endure.
This word denotes a bitter substance, often bile, or bitter herbs. In this context, it signifies a bitter, narcotic-like concoction. Matthew's use of "gall" (as opposed to Mark's "myrrh") emphasizes the extreme bitterness and potential pain-dulling or intoxicating effect of the mixture, which Jesus deliberately rejected. It directly links to Old Testament prophecies of suffering, particularly Psalm 69:21.
The verb thélō (would) signifies a strong, active determination or will, indicating Jesus' deliberate choice. Coupled with ou (not) and pínō (drink), it powerfully conveys His conscious refusal. This was not an accidental rejection but a resolute decision to face the full agony of the cross without any numbing agent, signifying His unwavering commitment to complete the Father's will and accomplish a perfect atonement.
Verse Breakdown
"They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall:"
This clause describes the offering made to Jesus by the Roman soldiers or perhaps compassionate bystanders. The mixture of "vinegar" (sour wine) and "gall" (a bitter, possibly narcotic substance) was intended either as a crude form of mercy to dull the pain of crucifixion or as a means to hasten death. The act itself fulfills the prophetic word of Psalm 69:21, highlighting the divine orchestration of these events and the specific nature of the Messiah's suffering.
"and when he had tasted [thereof],"
Jesus does not refuse the offering outright. He "tasted" it, indicating that He recognized its nature—likely its bitter taste and its intended effect as a pain-killer. This brief moment of tasting demonstrates His full awareness of what was being offered and the choice before Him. It was not a rejection born of ignorance or revulsion, but of deliberate discernment and resolve to embrace the full cup of suffering.
"he would not drink."
This is the pivotal action of the verse. Jesus' conscious and resolute refusal to drink the mixture signifies His unwavering determination to endure the full, unmitigated agony of the cross. He chose to face the physical, emotional, and spiritual pain completely aware, without any numbing agent, emphasizing the depth and intentionality of His atoning sacrifice for the sins of humanity. His refusal underscores His absolute obedience to the Father's will and His commitment to a complete and perfect redemption.
Literary Devices
Matthew 27:34 powerfully employs several literary devices. Fulfillment of Prophecy is paramount, as the offering of "vinegar mingled with gall" directly echoes the suffering described in Psalm 69:21, demonstrating God's sovereignty over history and the divine nature of Jesus' mission. Symbolism is also evident: the bitter "gall" and sour "vinegar" symbolize the profound suffering Jesus was enduring, representing the bitterness of sin and the world's rejection. His deliberate refusal, however, introduces Contrast, highlighting the difference between the world's attempt to alleviate suffering and Jesus' resolute choice to embrace it fully for redemptive purposes. This moment also carries a degree of Irony, as those who sought to inflict the most pain on Him inadvertently offered a substance that, in its very bitterness, pointed to the depth of the suffering He was willingly taking on for the world's salvation.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Matthew 27:34 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of Christ's atoning work. His deliberate refusal to drink the pain-dulling mixture underscores the intentionality and completeness of His sacrifice. He chose to experience the full weight of human sin and divine wrath without mitigation, ensuring that His atonement was perfect and sufficient. This act highlights His absolute obedience to the Father's will, even unto death on a cross, demonstrating the depth of divine love and the unyielding commitment of the Son to accomplish redemption. It reveals that the cross was not an accident but the culmination of God's redemptive plan, meticulously foretold and willingly embraced by Christ, establishing the foundation for our reconciliation with God.
Reflection and Application
Matthew 27:34 calls believers to a deeper appreciation of the intentionality and completeness of Christ's sacrifice. His refusal to numb the pain serves as a powerful testament to His unwavering love and commitment to bear the full curse of sin on our behalf. In a world that often seeks to escape suffering through various means, Jesus' example challenges us to confront our own trials with courage and faith, not seeking artificial escapes but trusting in God's sovereign purpose through them. This verse invites us to reflect on the immense cost of our salvation and to live lives of grateful obedience, recognizing that our redemption was secured by a Savior who willingly embraced the bitter cup of suffering so that we might drink from the wellspring of eternal life. It reminds us that true strength is found not in avoiding pain, but in enduring it with divine purpose, knowing that Christ has gone before us.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Jesus refuse the drink offered to Him in Matthew 27:34, especially when He later accepted a drink on the cross?
Jesus refused the drink of "vinegar mingled with gall" in Matthew 27:34 because it was likely a pain-dulling or narcotic substance, intended to alleviate the agony of crucifixion. His refusal was a deliberate act, signifying His commitment to endure the full, unmitigated suffering of the cross, both physical and spiritual, as a complete atonement for sin. He chose to face the full wrath of God against sin without any numbing agent. Later, in John 19:28-30, Jesus says, "I thirst," and accepts a drink of plain sour wine (vinegar). This later acceptance was not a pain-killer but a simple refreshment for His parched throat, fulfilling another prophecy (likely Psalm 22:15 or Psalm 69:21), and occurred when His atoning work was nearing completion. The distinction lies in the purpose of the drink: one to dull pain (refused), the other to quench thirst (accepted), demonstrating Jesus' unwavering commitment to His redemptive mission.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Matthew 27:34 profoundly illuminates the Christ-centered nature of salvation by showcasing Jesus' deliberate and unmitigated suffering as the ultimate sacrifice. His refusal to drink the pain-dulling mixture underscores His conscious choice to bear the full weight of sin and the curse of the Law, perfectly fulfilling the role of the Suffering Servant prophesied in Isaiah 53:4-5. This act was not a passive endurance but an active, obedient submission to the Father's will, demonstrating the depth of His love for humanity. By fully experiencing the bitterness of sin and death, Jesus became the spotless Lamb of God, whose blood, shed without reservation, established the New Covenant, as foreshadowed in passages like Luke 22:20. His uncompromised suffering on the cross is the very foundation of our redemption, offering complete forgiveness and reconciliation with God, a truth powerfully articulated by Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:21. Thus, Matthew 27:34 is not merely a historical detail but a vivid portrait of the Savior who willingly embraced the bitter cup for our eternal gain, ensuring that no aspect of our sin went unpunished in Him.