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.

Now {G3767} there was set {G2749} a vessel {G4632} full {G3324} of vinegar {G3690}: and {G1161} they filled {G4130} a spunge {G4699} with vinegar {G3690}, and {G2532} put it upon {G4060} hyssop {G5301}, and put {G4374} it to his {G846} mouth {G4750}.

A jar full of cheap sour wine was there; so they soaked a sponge in the wine, coated it with oregano leaves and held it up to his mouth.

A jar of sour wine was sitting there. So they soaked a sponge in the wine, put it on a stalk of hyssop, and lifted it to His mouth.

There was set there a vessel full of vinegar: so they put a sponge full of the vinegar upon hyssop, and brought it to his mouth.

Commentary

John 19:29 (KJV) describes a specific moment during Jesus' crucifixion, immediately after He uttered the words, "I thirst." This verse details the response to His cry, showing the meticulous fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy even in His final moments of suffering.

Historical and Cultural Context

Crucifixion was a brutal form of execution, designed to inflict maximum pain and public humiliation. Extreme thirst was a common and agonizing symptom of this torture due to dehydration, blood loss, and exposure. The "vinegar" mentioned here (Greek: oxos) was not necessarily pure vinegar, but a common, inexpensive sour wine, often diluted with water, which was a typical drink for Roman soldiers and laborers. It was probably offered not as an insult, but as a practical means to relieve intense thirst, possibly with some degree of compassion. This differs from the drugged wine mixed with gall offered earlier to dull the pain, which Jesus had refused (Matthew 27:34).

The use of "hyssop" is also significant. Hyssop is a small, bushy plant with stiff stems, often used in ancient Israelite ritual purification and sprinkling ceremonies. Most notably, it was used to apply the blood of the Passover lamb to the doorposts in Egypt (Exodus 12:22). Its appearance here, at the moment of the ultimate Passover Lamb's sacrifice, adds a profound symbolic layer, connecting Jesus' death to the cleansing and redemptive power of His blood.

Key Themes

  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: The immediate context in John 19:28 explicitly states that Jesus' thirst and the subsequent offering of vinegar were "that the scripture might be fulfilled." This points directly to prophecies like Psalm 69:21, which says, "They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink."
  • The Humanity of Christ: This verse powerfully underscores Jesus' full humanity. He experienced the excruciating physical suffering common to crucifixion victims, including the intense pain of thirst, demonstrating that He was truly human and fully shared in our frailties.
  • Divine Purpose and Control: Even in His deepest agony, Jesus was not a helpless victim but was actively bringing God's plan to fruition. His request for water and the subsequent action were part of a divinely orchestrated sequence leading to His declaration, "It is finished."

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "vinegar" is oxos (ὄξος), referring to a common, cheap sour wine. The specific mention of "hyssop" (Greek: hyssopos, ὕσσωπος) highlights its unique significance in Old Testament sacrificial and purification rites, often symbolizing cleansing and atonement (e.g., Psalm 51:7).

Practical Application

John 19:29 reminds us of the profound depth of Christ's sacrifice. Every detail, even seemingly minor ones like the offering of sour wine on a hyssop branch, contributes to the larger narrative of redemption and the flawless fulfillment of God's prophetic word. It encourages believers to reflect on the immense suffering Jesus willingly endured out of love for humanity, demonstrating His obedience to the Father and His complete identification with our human condition. This act of quenching His thirst, even with sour wine, serves as a poignant reminder of His willingness to endure all things for our salvation, ultimately becoming the source of living water for us.

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Cross-References

  • Numbers 19:18 (14 votes)

    And a clean person shall take hyssop, and dip [it] in the water, and sprinkle [it] upon the tent, and upon all the vessels, and upon the persons that were there, and upon him that touched a bone, or one slain, or one dead, or a grave:

  • Luke 23:36 (7 votes)

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

  • Mark 15:36 (6 votes)

    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.

  • Exodus 12:22 (5 votes)

    And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip [it] in the blood that [is] in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that [is] in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.

  • Matthew 27:48 (5 votes)

    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.

  • Psalms 51:7 (4 votes)

    ¶ Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

  • Matthew 27:34 (3 votes)

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