Matthew 27:34

Modern

…they offered Him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, He refused to drink it.

Traditional

They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.

Literal

…they gave Him wine to drink, mixed with gall; and having tasted it, He was not willing to drink it.

Latin

Et dederunt ei vinum bibere cum felle mistum. Et cum gustasset, noluit bibere.

Greek

English

…they offered Him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, He refused to drink it.

They probably gave Jesus wine mixed with bitter gall to ridicule him (see Psalm 69:21). It also was a sedative. Jesus probably refused it so he could fully experience suffering for our sins (see Isaiah 53:10).
Gall is another name sometimes given to wormwood. It is a very bitter substance made from the oil of the Artemisia plant, sometimes used as medicine in the ancient world (compare Mark 15:23).

The crowd mocked Jesus, but their words were still true. He is the Son of God, the King of Israel, and the Messiah.

Theme notes and profiles

Psalm 69:21
They poisoned my food with gall and gave me vinegar to quench my thirst.
Mark 15:23
There they offered Him wine mixed with myrrh, but He did not take it.
Matthew 27:48
One of them quickly ran and brought a sponge. He filled it with sour wine, put it on a reed, and held it up for Jesus to drink.
John 19:28–30
After this, knowing that everything had now been accomplished, and to fulfill the Scripture, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”