Matthew Chapter 27, Verse 48
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48: και ευθεως δραμων εις εξ αυτων και λαβων σπογγον πλησας τε οξους και περιθεις καλαμω εποτιζεν αυτον
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.
48: And immediately one of them running took a sponge and filled it
with vinegar and put it on a reed and gave him to drink.
One of them ran. John Jn 19:28 says, that this was in consequence of Jesus saying, "I thirst." One of the effects of crucifixion was excessive thirst.
Took a spunge. A sponge is a well-known porous substance, that easily absorbs water. It was used in this case because, Jesus being elevated, it was difficult to convey a cup to his lips.
Filled it with vinegar. This was the common drink of Roman soldiers. It was a light wine, turned sour, and mixed with water. John says, Jn 19:29 there was a vessel set full of vinegar, probably for the use of the soldiers who watched his crucifixion.
And put it on a reed. John says, it was put upon hyssop. The hyssop was a shrub, growing so large sometimes as to be called a tree, 1 Kg 4:33. The stalk of this was what Matthew calls a reed. The sponge fastened to this could easily be extended to reach the mouth of Jesus. This vinegar Jesus drank, for it was not intended to stupify him, or blunt his sense of pain like the wine and myrrh.
