Sour wine, commonly called “posca” in Latin sources, was a diluted vinegar drink that refreshed laborers and soldiers in the hot Mediterranean climate. Cheap to make and slow to spoil, it was kept in a sponge-filled jar at military posts and execution sites. Because it contained acetic acid, it cut thirst quickly and provided slight antiseptic benefits—useful in the field. Its ready availability explains why Roman soldiers could offer it instantly at Golgotha.

Old Testament Foreshadowing

Psalm 69:21 anticipates the Crucifixion scene: “They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar to drink.” The Septuagint uses the same Greek noun ὄξος, making an unmistakable verbal bridge between David’s suffering and Messiah’s passion. Earlier, Boaz invited Ruth to “dip your bread in the vinegar” (Ruth 2:14), a hospitality echo that heightens the later cruelty of giving vinegar to the Lord of Glory.

Occurrences in the Passion Narratives

Matthew 27:48 – A bystander “took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a reed, and held it up for Him to drink.”

Mark 15:36 – A similar act occurs, yet the mockery continues: “Wait, let us see whether Elijah comes to take Him down.”

Luke 23:36 – Soldiers “mocked Him and came up to offer Him sour wine.”

John 19:29 – “A jar of sour wine was sitting there. So they soaked a sponge in the sour wine, put it on a stalk of hyssop, and lifted it to His mouth.”

John 19:30 – “When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished.’ Then He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.”

The double mention in John underscores deliberate fulfillment: a pre-crucifixion refusal of drugged wine (Matthew 27:34) contrasts with this final, conscious acceptance of plain sour wine after every prophetic detail had been satisfied.

Theological Significance

Fulfillment of Scripture – By accepting ὄξος at the last moment, Jesus validates Psalm 69:21 and displays the meticulous reliability of divine prophecy.

Completion of Redemptive Work – “It is finished” (John 19:30) follows the tasting of sour wine, linking the bitterness He receives with the wrath He exhausts on behalf of sinners.

Cup Motif – From the wedding wine at Cana (John 2:1-11) to the cup of sour wine at Calvary, the Gospel of John frames the ministry of Jesus with two contrasting beverages: the first manifests His glory, the second seals His sacrifice.

Historical Detail and Apologetic Value

Archaeology confirms the widespread Roman use of posca, lending credibility to the Gospel setting. The inclusion of such mundane details by independent writers supports the authenticity of the eyewitness testimony.

Practical Ministry Applications

1. Preaching Christ’s Compassion – Even while enduring mockery, Jesus remains fully alert, choosing obedience at every step.
2. Trusting Prophetic Precision – Believers can rest in the faithfulness of God who governs the smallest circumstances.
3. Serving the Suffering – The sour wine episode encourages practical acts of mercy: providing water, relief, and presence to those in pain.

Devotional Reflection

The same Lord who turned ordinary water into fine wine later received common vinegar so that we might drink the “new wine” of the kingdom (Matthew 26:29). His exchange of glory for bitterness calls His followers to live sacrificially, confident that every promise of Scripture will likewise be fulfilled.