John 19:29

“Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar, etc.] In a place near at hand, as Nonnus observes; not on purpose, for the sake of them that were crucified, either to refresh their spirits, or stop a too great effusion of blood, that they might continue the longer in their misery; but for the use of the soldiers who crucified Christ, vinegar being part of the allowance of Roman soldiers f740, and what they used to drink: sometimes it was mixed with water; which mixed liquor they called “Posca” f741, and was what even their generals sometimes used; as Scipio, Metellus, Trajan, Adrian, and others: vinegar was also used by the Jews for drink, as appears from (<080214>Ruth 2:14) and “dip thy morsel…”

“filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon--a stalk of hyssop, and put it to his mouth--Though a stalk of this plant does not exceed eighteen inches in length, it would suffice, as the feet of crucified persons were not raised high. "The rest said, Let be"--[that is, as would seem, 'Stop that officious service'] "let us see whether Elias will come to save Him" (Mat 27:49). This was the last cruelty He was to suffer, but it was one of the most unfeeling. "And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice" (Luk 23:46). This "loud voice," noticed by three of the Evangelists, does not imply, as some able interpreters contend, that our Lord's strength was so far from being exhausted that He needed…”

“See the notes at Matthew 27:46-50. That the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst - See Psalms 69:21. Thirst was one of the most distressing circumstances attending the crucifixion. The wounds were highly inflamed, and a raging fever was caused, usually, by the sufferings on the cross, and this was accompanied by insupportable thirst. See the notes at Matthew 27:35. A Mameluke, or Turkish officer, was crucified, it is said in an Arabic manuscript recently translated, on the banks of the Barada River, under the castle of Damascus. He was nailed to the cross on Friday, and remained until Sunday noon, when he died. After giving an account of the crucifixion, the narrator proceeds: “I…”

“A stalk of hyssop - Which in those countries grows exceeding large and strong. Psa 69:21. John 19:30”

“19:29 The hyssop bush had been used in Egypt to brush lamb’s blood on the doorposts and lintels during the first Passover (Exod 12:22). Jesus is God’s Passover lamb (John 1:29, 36), and his blood likewise saves.”

“was set: Mat 27:34, Mat 27:48; Mar 15:36; Luk 23:36 hyssop: This hyssop is termed a reed by Matthew and Mark; and it appears that a species of hyssop, with a reedy stalk, about two feet long, grew about Jerusalem. Exo 12:22; Num 19:18; Kg1 4:33; Psa 51:7 John 19:30”