Matthew 27:48

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} straightway {G2112} one {G1520} of {G1537} them {G846} ran {G5143}, and {G2532} took {G2983} a spunge {G4699}, and {G5037} filled {G4130} it with vinegar {G3690}, and {G2532} put it on {G4060} a reed {G2563}, and gave {G4222} him {G846} to drink {G4222}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, soaked it in vinegar, put it on a stick and gave it to him to drink.

Berean Standard Bible

One of them quickly ran and brought a sponge. He filled it with sour wine, put it on a reed, and held it up for Jesus to drink.

American Standard Version

And straightway one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 27:48 vividly captures a critical moment during Jesus' crucifixion, immediately following His profound cry of dereliction. It describes a bystander's swift action to offer Him a drink of sour wine on a sponge attached to a reed, highlighting the intense physical agony Christ endured and the varied human responses to His suffering in His final moments on the cross. This act, whether born of pity or further derision, fulfills ancient prophecy and underscores the depth of Christ's sacrifice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the climactic narrative of Jesus' crucifixion, specifically following His loud cry, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" ("My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?") as recorded in [Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction"). The preceding verses detail the supernatural darkness that fell over the land and the mockery Jesus endured from religious leaders and passersby. The act of offering the drink in [Matthew 27:48](/matthew/27-48 "Matthew 27:48 - The Offering of Sour Wine") is a direct response to His suffering, immediately preceding His final breath and the dramatic events that follow, such as the tearing of the temple veil and the earthquake in [Matthew 27:50-54](/matthew/27-50-54 "Matthew 27:50-54 - Jesus' Death and Aftermath"). The narrative flow emphasizes the culmination of Jesus' suffering and the divine significance of His death.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Crucifixion was a brutal form of execution designed to inflict maximum pain and public humiliation, often lasting for days. Victims experienced excruciating thirst due to blood loss, fever, and exposure. The "vinegar" (Greek: _oxos_) offered was a common, cheap, sour wine, often diluted with water, consumed by Roman soldiers and laborers. It was not a refreshing drink but could offer a temporary, albeit harsh, relief from extreme thirst. The presence of Roman soldiers and Jewish onlookers, some mocking and others perhaps curious or sympathetic, paints a picture of the diverse societal reactions to this public execution. The use of a "reed" (Greek: _kálamos_) was practical, allowing the sponge to reach the elevated mouth of the crucified. This scene unfolds at Golgotha, "the place of a skull" in [Matthew 27:33](/matthew/27-33 "Matthew 27:33 - Golgotha, The Place of a Skull"), outside Jerusalem's city walls, a site of public executions.

* **Key Themes:** Matthew 27:48 contributes significantly to several key themes within the Gospel of Matthew and the broader biblical narrative. It powerfully highlights **Jesus' Physical Suffering**, emphasizing the very real human agony He endured on the cross, including intense thirst, which is a central aspect of the crucifixion accounts. This moment underscores the **Humanity of Christ**, demonstrating that even as the Son of God, He experienced genuine physical needs and pain, fulfilling His role as a fully human, yet sinless, Savior. Furthermore, the scene portrays the **Mixed Reactions to Christ**, ranging from the cruel mockery detailed in [Matthew 27:39-44](/matthew/27-39-44 "Matthew 27:39-44 - Mockery of Jesus on the Cross") to this seemingly compassionate, or at least responsive, act. This diversity of response foreshadows the ongoing division among humanity regarding Jesus' identity and claims. Ultimately, the verse also subtly points to the **Fulfillment of Prophecy**, as the offering of sour wine aligns with Old Testament predictions concerning the Messiah's suffering, particularly in [Psalm 69:21](/psalms/69-21 "Psalm 69:21 - Prophecy of Gall and Vinegar").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **straightway (Greek, _euthéōs_):** This adverb emphasizes the immediacy and swiftness of the action. It suggests that the individual reacted without hesitation, either in a moment of genuine, albeit crude, compassion or in a quick, perhaps thoughtless, continuation of the taunting. The word conveys a sense of directness and promptness in response to Jesus' cry.
* **took (Greek, _lambánō_):** This verb signifies an active and objective taking or getting hold of something. It highlights the deliberate action of the individual in acquiring the sponge and the vinegar. Unlike a passive reception, _lambánō_ indicates a purposeful engagement in the act of preparing the drink for Jesus.
* **vinegar (Greek, _óxos_):** This term refers to sour wine, a common and inexpensive drink of the time, often consumed by soldiers and laborers. It was not a refreshing, pure water, but a fermented, acidic beverage. Its offering here is ambiguous: it could be a crude attempt at relief for extreme thirst, or another element of the humiliation, as it was not a pleasant drink for a dying man.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And straightway one of them ran,"**: This clause establishes the immediate and decisive action of an unnamed individual from the crowd of onlookers. The verb "ran" (G5143, _tréchō_) underscores the urgency and haste of their movement, setting a dynamic tone for the subsequent actions.
* **"and took a spunge, and filled [it] with vinegar,"**: This part details the preparation. The person actively "took" (G2983, _lambánō_) a sponge, a common item, and "filled" (G4130, _plḗthō_) it with "vinegar" (G3690, _óxos_), the sour wine available. This precise action shows intentionality in preparing the specific kind of drink.
* **"and put [it] on a reed,"**: To reach Jesus on the cross, the sponge saturated with vinegar was "put...on" (G4060, _peritíthēmi_) a "reed" (G2563, _kálamos_). This practical detail illustrates the physical height of the cross and the necessity of such a tool to administer the drink.
* **"and gave him to drink."**: This final clause describes the completion of the action: the individual offered the prepared drink to Jesus. The verb "gave...to drink" (G4222, _potízō_) indicates the direct act of providing the liquid, culminating the sequence of swift actions.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 27:48 employs several literary devices to deepen its impact. **Symbolism** is evident in the "vinegar" itself, which, while a common drink, here symbolizes the bitter cup of suffering Jesus had to drink, echoing His prayer in [Matthew 26:39](/matthew/26-39 "Matthew 26:39 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane"). The "reed" can symbolize the frailty of human instruments used in divine plans, or perhaps even a subtle echo of the "reed" used earlier to mock Jesus as a king in [Matthew 27:29](/matthew/27-29 "Matthew 27:29 - Mocking Jesus with a Reed"). There is also a powerful sense of **Irony** in this act. While seemingly compassionate, the offering of sour wine, especially in the context of the preceding mockery, could also be seen as a final indignity or a crude, inadequate response to ultimate suffering. This ambiguity forces the reader to ponder the true intent of the bystander. The **Contrast** between the immense, cosmic suffering of the Son of God and the mundane, earthly act of offering a common drink further highlights the profound paradox of the Incarnation and the crucifixion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This seemingly small act in Matthew 27:48 carries significant theological weight, underscoring the depth of Jesus' suffering as part of God's redemptive plan. The offering of sour wine directly fulfills Old Testament prophecy, confirming that every detail of the Messiah's passion was divinely orchestrated. This demonstrates God's meticulous sovereignty over even the most painful and humiliating aspects of His Son's sacrifice. It highlights that Jesus truly experienced the full spectrum of human agony, including intense thirst, making Him a sympathetic high priest who understands our weaknesses. This moment, whether an act of pity or mockery, serves to complete the prophetic picture of the suffering servant, ensuring that the scriptural narrative of redemption was precisely followed.

* [Psalm 69:21](/psalms/69-21 "Psalm 69:21 - Prophecy of Gall and Vinegar")
* [John 19:28-29](/john/19-28-29 "John 19:28-29 - Jesus' Thirst and the Offering of Sour Wine")
* [Mark 15:36](/mark/15-36 "Mark 15:36 - Offering of Vinegar to Jesus")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 27:48 invites us to reflect deeply on the multifaceted nature of Jesus' suffering and its profound implications for our faith. It is a stark reminder that the Son of God, in His humanity, endured unimaginable physical agony, including the torment of extreme thirst. This scene challenges us to move beyond a superficial understanding of the cross and to truly grasp the immense cost of our salvation. It compels us to consider our own responses to suffering, both in our lives and in the lives of others. Do we, like some onlookers, stand by in indifference or even contribute to pain? Or do we, even in imperfect ways, seek to offer relief and compassion, recognizing the dignity of every individual created in God's image? This verse also encourages us to see God's sovereign hand at work even in the most mundane or painful details, reminding us that His plan of redemption is meticulously fulfilled, offering hope and purpose even in our own trials.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the physical suffering of Jesus, particularly His thirst, deepen your appreciation for His sacrifice?**
* **What does the ambiguous nature of the bystander's act (pity vs. mockery) teach you about human responses to suffering, and how does it challenge your own?**
* **In what ways can you, in your daily life, offer "drink" (compassion, relief, presence) to those who are suffering, even if it feels like a small or imperfect gesture?**

### FAQ

**What was the "vinegar" offered to Jesus?**

Answer: The "vinegar" (Greek: _óxos_) mentioned in Matthew 27:48 was not the household vinegar we typically use today. It was a common, inexpensive, sour wine, often diluted with water, that was a staple drink for Roman soldiers and laborers. It was a fermented, acidic beverage, not a refreshing, pure water. While it might have offered a temporary, albeit harsh, relief from intense thirst, it was not considered a pleasant or luxurious drink. Its offering to Jesus is often interpreted in two ways: either as a crude act of pity to alleviate His extreme suffering, or as a final act of mockery, given its unpalatable nature for someone in His condition. This same "sour wine" is also mentioned in the parallel accounts in [Mark 15:36](/mark/15-36 "Mark 15:36 - Offering of Sour Wine") and [John 19:29](/john/19-29 "John 19:29 - Sour Wine on a Hyssop Branch").

**Was this act of offering a drink compassionate or mocking?**

Answer: The intent behind the offering of the sour wine in Matthew 27:48 is ambiguous and has been debated by scholars. On one hand, it could be seen as an act of crude compassion, as Jesus had just cried out, indicating extreme thirst, and even sour wine might offer some temporary relief to a dying man. The swiftness of the action ("straightway one of them ran") might suggest a spontaneous, albeit rough, attempt to help. On the other hand, given the pervasive atmosphere of mockery and derision surrounding the cross (as seen in [Matthew 27:39-44](/matthew/27-39-44 "Matthew 27:39-44 - Mockery on the Cross")), it could also be interpreted as a final act of humiliation or a twisted form of "mercy" that prolonged His agony. The fact that it was sour wine, not pure water, adds to this ambiguity. Ultimately, regardless of the individual's intent, the act served to fulfill Old Testament prophecy, as seen in [Psalm 69:21](/psalms/69-21 "Psalm 69:21 - Prophecy of Gall and Vinegar"), highlighting God's sovereign plan.

**Why was a sponge and reed used?**

Answer: A sponge and reed were used in Matthew 27:48 for practical reasons related to the nature of crucifixion. Victims were typically elevated on the cross, making it difficult to reach their mouths directly. A "reed" (Greek: _kálamos_) was a long stalk, similar to a cane or stick, which allowed the person to extend the sponge soaked in vinegar up to Jesus' lips. The "sponge" (Greek: _spóngos_) was absorbent and could hold the liquid, making it an effective way to administer the drink. This method was common for providing liquids to those in elevated positions or to the sick. The Gospel of John specifies that the reed was a "hyssop branch" in [John 19:29](/john/19-29 "John 19:29 - Hyssop Branch for the Sponge"), which might carry additional symbolic weight related to Old Testament purification rituals.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 27:48, though seemingly a minor detail, profoundly contributes to the Christ-centered narrative of salvation. The intense thirst and the offering of sour wine underscore the very real humanity of Jesus, affirming that He fully entered into the depths of human suffering, "being made in the likeness of men" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humiliation")). This physical agony was not incidental but integral to His atoning work, as He bore the full weight of humanity's sin and its consequences. His suffering, including this moment of thirst, fulfills the prophetic declarations of the Old Testament, particularly [Psalm 69:21](/psalms/69-21 "Psalm 69:21 - Prophecy of Gall and Vinegar"), demonstrating God's meticulous orchestration of salvation history. By willingly enduring such a humiliating and painful death, Jesus, "who knew no sin, was made to be sin for us" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")), thereby securing our redemption. His cry of thirst, followed by this bitter drink, symbolizes the "cup" of God's wrath against sin that He fully drained for us, culminating in His triumphant declaration, "It is finished" ([John 19:30](/john/19-30 "John 19:30 - It Is Finished")), signifying the completed work of salvation for all who believe.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 69:21

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

Matthew 27:34

They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted [thereof], he would not drink.

John 19:29

Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put [it] upon hyssop, and put [it] to his mouth.

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.

Luke 23:36

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