Book of Mark - Chapter 15 - Verse 36

The verse "And one ran and filled a sponge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down" comes from the Gospel of Matthew, in the New Testament. This verse describes the scene where Jesus is being crucified on the cross, and a soldier offers him vinegar to drink. Some interpretations suggest that the soldier was mocking Jesus by offering him sour wine, while others believe that the soldier may have been following a common practice of offering a drink to those being crucified as a gesture of mercy. The mention of Elias (or Elijah) is a reference to the Jewish belief that the prophet Elijah would come to rescue those in need. This verse highlights the suffering and humiliation that Jesus endured during his crucifixion, while also emphasizing the fulfillment of prophecies from the Old Testament.

One interesting theological interpretation of this verse is the symbolic significance of the sponge full of vinegar that was offered to Jesus. In ancient Hebrew culture, vinegar was believed to symbolize the bitterness of sin and rebellion against God. By offering Jesus vinegar to drink, the soldiers were unknowingly fulfilling a prophecy found in Psalm 69:21 which says, "They also gave me gall for my food, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink." This act not only fulfilled scripture but also symbolized the bitterness of the sin that Jesus was bearing on behalf of humanity.

Additionally, the mention of Elias (Elijah) in the statement "Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down" is significant. Some scholars believe that this reference to Elijah was meant to evoke the Jewish belief that Elijah would come before the Messiah. By mentioning Elias, the soldiers may have been mocking Jesus and doubting his claims to be the Messiah. However, for those who believe in Jesus as the fulfillment of Messianic prophecies, this statement serves as a reminder of the rejection and disbelief that Jesus faced during his crucifixion.