Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

John 19:29

σπόγγον οὖν μεστὸν τοῦ ὄξους (אBLX) for οἱ δὲ πλήσαντες σπόγγον ὄξους καὶ (A), a combination with Matthew 27:48 and Mark 15:36, which caused οὖν to be transferred to the previous clause,—σκεῦος οὖν ἔκειτο.

29. S. John’s exact knowledge appears again. The Synoptists do not mention the σκεῦος, but he had stood beside it. The ὄξος was either the posca or sour wine for the soldiers during their long watch, or something prepared for the sufferers. The sponge and the stalk of hyssop being ready at hand is in favour of the latter. Criminals sometimes lived a day or two on the cross. Vinegar is degenerate wine, and may symbolize the fallen nature of those who offered it. Hyssop cannot be identified with certainty. The caper-plant, which is as likely as any, has stalks which run to two or three feet, and this would suffice. It is not probable that Christ’s feet were on a level with the spectators’ heads, as pictures represent: this would have involved needless trouble and expense. Moreover the mockery of the soldiers recorded by S. Luke (see on Luke 23:36) is more intelligible if we suppose that they could almost put a vessel to His lips. S. John alone mentions the hyssop; another mark of exact knowledge. Did he see in it a coincidence with Exodus 12:22?

περιθέντες προσήνεγκαν. Very graphic; περιθ. expresses the placing of the sponge round the stalk (Matthew 21:33; Matthew 27:28; Matthew 27:48), προσήν. the offering (John 16:2) and applying (Mark 10:13) to His lips. The actors and their motive are left doubtful. Probably they were soldiers and acted in compassion rather than in mockery; or in compassion under cover of mockery (Mark 15:36; Psalms 69:22).

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

John 19:29

Old Testament

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