They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.
All Commentaries on Matthew 27:34 Go To Matthew 27
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
Wine . mingled with gall. The Protestants from the ordinary Greek copies, translate vinegar; but other Greek copies have wine, which St. Jerome and St. Hilary follow. And in St. Mark all copies, without exception, have wine mixed with myrrh: perhaps myrrh, from its bitterness, is here called gall. It is also observed that wine, with a mixture of myrrh, was often given to those that were to die a violent death, to comfort them, or stupefy them. Our Saviour tasted it, but would not drink it. He refused not to taste the bitterness, but would not take what might lessen his torments. (Witham)
St. Mark says, mingled with myrrh; perhaps it was mixed with both, to render it as bitter as possible. (St. Augustine)
What St. Mark relates, he took it not, is thus explained: he took it not, so as to drink it; which St. Matthew confirms, by saying: and when he had tasted, he would not drink; (St. Augustine,) so as to receive the support and comfort which a strengthening draft might afford.
