Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Mark 15:23
And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received [it] not.
23. they gave him ] More literally, they offered Him.
wine mingled with myrrh ] It was a merciful custom of the Jews to give those condemned to crucifixion, with a view to producing stupefaction, a strong aromatic wine. Lightfoot tells us ( Hor. Heb. ii. 366) it was the special task of wealthy ladies at Jerusalem to provide this potion. The custom was founded on Rabbinic gloss on Pro 31:6, “Give strong drink to him that is perishing, and wine to those whose soul is in bitterness.”
but he received it not ] The two malefactors, who were led forth with Him, probably partook of it, but He would take nothing to cloud His faculties.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Wine mingled … – Matthew says vinegar. It was probably wine soured, so that it might be called either. This was the common drink of the Roman soldiers.
Myrrh – See the notes at Mat 27:34.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh,…. Wine mingled with frankincense was what was usually given by the Jews to persons going to die w:
“he that goes to be executed they mix for him,
, “a grain of frankincense in a cup of wine”, that his mind may be disturbed, or not sensible; as it is said, Pr 31:6, “give strong drink to him that is ready to perish, and wine to the bitter in soul”: and the tradition is, that the honourable women in Jerusalem gave this freely, and brought it them; and if they did not, it was provided by the congregation,”
at the public expense; the design of it was to intoxicate, that they might not feel their pain and misery: but neither the rich women in general, nor were the public so disposed towards Christ, as to provide such a potion for him: it is most likely therefore that this was prepared by his friends, as Mary Magdalene, Martha, and others, in order to cheer and refresh his spirits; and was different from what the soldiers gave him, which was vinegar mixed with gall, though the Persic version so reads here:
but he received it not; nor would he so much as taste of it, as he did of the other, to show that he needed no such outward means to support his spirits, nor desired any allay of his sorrows, and was not afraid to meet death in all its terrors; and besides, he had said he would drink no more of the fruit of the vine till he drank it new in his Father’s kingdom, Mt 26:29;
[See comments on Mt 27:34].
w T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 43. 1. Bemidbar Rabba, sect. 10. fol. 193. 4. Maimon. Hilch. Sanhedrin, c. 13. sect. 2, 3. Moses Kotsensis Mitzvot Tora, pr. affirm. 98.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
They offered him ( ). Imperfect tense where Matthew has the aorist .
Mingled with myrrh (). Perfect passive participle. The verb means flavoured with myrrh, myrrhed wine. It is not inconsistent with Mt 27:34 “mingled with gall,” which see.
But he received it not ( ). Note the demonstrative with . Matthew has it that Jesus was not willing to take. Mark’s statement is that he refused it.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
They gave [] . The imperfect tense is used in the same sense as in Mt 3:14 (Rev.), “John would have hindered.” They were for giving; attempted to give. So Rev., excellently, offered.
Wine mingled with myrrh [ ] . Lit., myrrhed wine. See on Mt 27:34.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And they gave Him to drink,” (kai edidoun auto) “And they gave to Him to drink,” the Roman soldiers passed or held up to Him, to His lips, tried to give to Him as His hands were nailed to the cross (Luk 23:36) while mocking Him; They offered Him,
2) “Wine mingled with myrrh:(esmurnismenon oinon) “Wine that had been spiced with myrrh,” a stupifying drink, apparently sour vinegar wine, with bitter gall dregs, mixed with the spice myrrh, as prophesied, Psa 69:21; Mat 27:34.
3) “But He received it not.” (hos de ouk elaben) “But He did not take it,” would not receive and drink it, Mat 27:34. That He might taste death for every man, Heb 2:9. After He tasted the drugged potion, He refused to drink it, because He knew it was meant to stupefy, for He chose to die the death of the cross in its full pain and torment, Gal 3:13; 1Pe 2:24; 1Pe 3:18.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(23) Wine mingled with myrrh.Note this description as in part explaining St. Matthews wine mingled with gall.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
‘And they offered him wine mingled with myrrh and he did not receive it.’
Theophrastus and Pliny both mention the custom of mixing wine with myrrh, but here the purpose was probably to dull the senses so that the extreme pain might be somewhat relieved. The Talmud later mentions this custom (based on Pro 31:6-7), a ministry carried out by pious women of Jerusalem. If so the offer was sympathetic and friendly. But Jesus did not receive it. He knew that He needed to be fully aware for He had to drink to the full another cup, the cup He had voluntarily taken to His mouth in Gethsemane.
On the other hand ‘they’ in context means the Roman soldiers. That would not necessarily exclude the women as a kind hearted Roman soldier might quite easily have assisted the women in getting the drink to Jesus. (Not all Roman soldiers were brutes). It is not likely that the soldiers themselves would have had wine mingled with myrrh.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
23 And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.
Ver. 23. Wine mingled with myrrh ] This was not the same potion with that in Mar 15:36 ; Mat 27:48 , but another.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
23. ] . . = . Matt., which see.
, they were giving, i.e. ‘ they offered .’
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Mar 15:23 . : the conative imperfect = they tried to give, offered. , wine drugged with myrrh, here only in N. T. Cf. Mt.’s account. : Mt. says Jesus tasted the drink. He would not take it because He knew that it was meant to stupefy.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
they gave, &c. = they were offering. See notes on Mat 27:34, Mat 27:48.
not. Greek. ou. App-105.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
23.] . . = . Matt., which see.
, they were giving, i.e. they offered.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Mar 15:23. , He took it not) He tasted, but did not drink it. Mat 27:34 : comp. ch. Mat 26:29.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
drink
The stupefying drink usually given to those crucified.
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
they: Mat 27:34, Luk 23:36, Joh 19:28-30
but: Mar 14:25, Mat 26:19, Luk 22:18
Reciprocal: Psa 69:21 – vinegar Mar 15:36 – General Luk 23:33 – when
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Mar 15:23. They offered him, or, were giving Him; it was offered merely, not forced upon Him.
Wine mingled with myrrh. See on Mat 26:34.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 23
It is supposed that this was a medicated drink, given to blunt sensibility to pain.