Mark 15 36

Mark 15:36 kjv

And one ran and filled a spunge 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.

Mark 15:36 nkjv

Then someone ran and filled a sponge full of sour wine, put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink, saying, "Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to take Him down."

Mark 15:36 niv

Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to take him down," he said.

Mark 15:36 esv

And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, "Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down."

Mark 15:36 nlt

One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink. "Wait!" he said. "Let's see whether Elijah comes to take him down!"

Mark 15 verses

Mark 15 36 Meaning

Mark 15:36 describes an anonymous individual’s action during Christ's crucifixion, offering Him sour wine on a reed. This act is accompanied by onlookers’ derisive remarks, challenging Jesus to see if Elijah would appear to deliver Him. The verse encapsulates both an act of limited, possibly cruel, provision and the deep-seated mockery and theological misunderstanding of those present at the cross, ironically fulfilling Old Testament prophecies while highlighting the world’s rejection of its Savior.

Mark 15 36 Context

Mark 15:36 occurs within the somber narrative of Jesus' crucifixion. Following His initial hanging on the cross (vv. 24-27) and the hours of darkness (v. 33), Jesus utters a loud cry in Aramaic: "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" (My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?). This profound cry of dereliction immediately precedes the events of verse 36. The surrounding verses vividly describe the relentless mockery from those passing by, the chief priests, scribes, and even the two robbers crucified alongside Him. The atmosphere is charged with scorn and disbelief, a deliberate rejection of Jesus’ claims to be the Christ. Historically, crucifixion was a brutal, public, and drawn-out form of execution designed for maximum humiliation and suffering. Offering drink, even common sour wine (a cheap, dilute vinegar drink), was a typical albeit often crude practice during such prolonged executions, sometimes to prolong agony or, rarely, to offer a moment of relief. The comment about Elijah connects to a widely held Jewish belief that Elijah the prophet would appear before the Messiah or the Great Day of the Lord (Mal 4:5-6), a belief warped here into a sarcastic challenge.

Mark 15 36 Word analysis

• And one ran: The Greek word is kai eis dramōn (καὶ εἷς δραμὼν). "One" (heis) indicates an anonymous individual. "Ran" (dramōn) suggests a swift action, perhaps indicating a mixture of curiosity, impulsive cruelty, or a quick response to what might have been perceived as a call for help, though the subsequent remark negates any pure benevolence. This person represents a generalized human reaction to Christ's agony, not a specific individual identified.
• and filled a sponge: The Greek is kai gemisas spongon (καὶ γεμίσας σπόγγον). Sponges were common for cleaning and also used to deliver liquids to condemned persons or those with fever.
• full of sour wine: The Greek term is oxos (ὄξος), meaning "vinegar" or "sour wine." This was a common, cheap, diluted wine, often consumed by Roman soldiers and laborers for its thirst-quenching properties. In the context of crucifixion, its purpose could vary from a common mercy to prolong life (for more mockery) or as a further taunt (giving low-grade drink to the "King of the Jews"). It directly fulfills the prophecy in Ps 69:21.
• put it on a reed: The Greek is peritheis kalamo (περιθεὶς καλάμῳ). A kalamos (κάλαμος) is a reed or stick, long enough to reach Jesus' mouth on the elevated cross. This detail indicates the practical means necessary to administer the drink.
• and offered it to Him to drink: The Greek epotizen auton (ἐπότιζεν αὐτόν) emphasizes the act of providing drink. This action, regardless of motive, directly facilitates the fulfillment of Jesus' own statement, "I thirst," recorded in Jn 19:28, which also fulfilled Scripture.
• saying: This indicates dialogue and specific vocalized taunts directed at Jesus.
• "Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to take Him down.": The Greek aphete idein ei erchetai Hēlias kathelein auton (ἄφετε ἴδωμεν εἰ ἔρχεται Ἠλίας καθελεῖν αὐτόν).
  • "Let Him alone": Aphete (ἄφετε) is an imperative, "Let go," "Leave Him." This command could be to others who might try to interfere, or more likely, an ironic, cynical invitation to wait and see if supernatural intervention would occur, ridiculing Jesus’ supposed divine connections.
  • "Elijah": Refers to the prophet Elijah. In Jewish tradition, Elijah was expected to precede the Messiah and resolve all difficulties (Mal 4:5-6, Mt 17:10). This statement stems from a misinterpretation or deliberate mockery of Jesus’ prior cry, "Eloi, Eloi" (My God, My God), which sounds similar to "Elijah" in Greek. They are not genuinely hoping for Elijah; they are using this Messianic expectation as a cruel joke to highlight Jesus’ apparent helplessness. They challenge His claims to divine favor.
  • "will come to take Him down": This refers to rescuing Him from the cross. It underlines the expectation that if Jesus were truly the Messiah, He would not suffer but would be supernaturally delivered. This verbal challenge adds to the layer of humiliation, questioning His identity and divine power. It expresses extreme unbelief.

Mark 15 36 Bonus section

The "one" who offers the sour wine could potentially be a Roman soldier, as Luke's parallel account attributes the offering to soldiers (Lk 23:36). This specific act and the subsequent commentary are crucial because they bridge Jesus' powerful cry of abandonment ("Eloi, Eloi") with His final moments on the cross. The onlookers’ remarks, mistaking "Eloi" for "Elijah," are a sharp irony. They highlight not only ignorance or deliberate misinterpretation but also the deep-seated theological expectations of the time concerning the coming of the Messiah and the role of Elijah, all of which Jesus did not fulfill in the way they anticipated (i.e., immediate earthly triumph and liberation). This entire scene underscores the human rejection and derision of God's redemptive plan as it unfolds through suffering, a stark contrast to the divine purpose being fulfilled.

Mark 15 36 Commentary

Mark 15:36 offers a poignant glimpse into the atmosphere surrounding Christ's death. The seemingly mundane act of offering sour wine is laced with multifaceted meaning: it directly fulfills prophetic scripture (Ps 69:21) and, when considered with John's account, satisfies Jesus' profound thirst (Jn 19:28). Yet, it's immediately overshadowed by the cynical commentary of the bystanders. Their cry, "Let us see if Elijah will come," showcases a profound spiritual blindness. They twist Jesus’ authentic cry of suffering ("My God") into a mock invocation of Elijah, turning His pain into an occasion for derision. This reflects the common expectation of a triumphant Messiah who would conquer, not one who would suffer and die, leaving them utterly unable to recognize God’s true saving plan. It highlights the continued human rejection and misunderstanding even at the very moment of divine sacrifice.