In Sunday’s Gospel, St Luke records that the soldiers mocked Jesus shortly after his Crucifixion by giving him sour wine. This was the drink of slaves and soldiers—an insult to one who claimed to be a king.
But the other three Evangelists each describe sour wine, or vinegar, being given to Jesus around three hours later.
St John implies that on this occasion it was an act of mercy rather than mockery. Jesus said, “I thirst,” and someone offered him refreshment (19:28-29).
St Mark, however, adds more details: “Some of the bystanders hearing it said, ‘Behold, he is calling Elijah.’ And one ran and, filling a sponge full of vinegar, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, ‘Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down’” (15:35-36).
