And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,

LUKE 23:36KJV
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Luke 23:36 (KJV)

What does Luke 23:36 mean?

Luke 23:36 describes how the Roman soldiers mocked Jesus during his crucifixion by approaching him and offering him vinegar, which was a sour wine commonly given to those being executed. This act was meant to ridicule Jesus rather than to help him, adding to the humiliation he faced in his final hours.

In this scene, the soldiers are not just carrying out their duty but are actively participating in the mockery of Jesus, echoing the scorn from others present at the crucifixion. The offer of vinegar, instead of water or comfort, highlights the cruelty and contempt shown to Jesus as he suffered on the cross.

The Greek behind Luke 23:36

  • "mocked" (ἐμυκτήριζον, emuktērizon): This word means to ridicule or treat with scorn. The Greek here emphasizes that the soldiers were not neutral observers but were openly showing contempt.
  • "offering" (προσφέροντες, prospherontes): This word means to bring or present something to someone. In this context, it shows that the soldiers intentionally approached Jesus to give him the sour wine, making their mockery direct and personal.
  • "vinegar" (ὄξος, oxos): This refers to a cheap, sour wine that Roman soldiers commonly drank. Offering this to Jesus was not an act of mercy but another way to insult him, as it was unpleasant and not what a suffering person would desire.

Why Luke 23:36 matters

  • This verse helps clarify that the soldiers were not just passive bystanders but were actively involved in mocking Jesus, which adds to the sense of isolation and humiliation he experienced.
  • The detail about offering vinegar connects to other Gospel accounts and fulfills Old Testament references, showing that even small actions during the crucifixion carried deeper meaning.
  • Understanding the soldiers’ actions in this verse highlights the full extent of the rejection and scorn Jesus faced from all sides, not just from religious leaders or the crowd.

Where else these words appear

“vinegar” Greek G3690 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 27:34 They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.
  • Matthew 27:48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.
  • John 19:29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.

“mocked” Greek G1702 · used in 13 verses

  • Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
  • Matthew 27:41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,
  • Luke 14:29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,

“soldiers” Greek G4757 · used in 24 verses

  • Matthew 8:9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
  • John 19:24 They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.
  • Acts 21:35 And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.

“offering” Greek G4374 · used in 45 verses

  • Matthew 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
  • Matthew 25:20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
  • Hebrews 8:3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.