ACC ~ Mark 15 v23a

WHY WINE AND MYRRH?

CYRIL OF JERUSALEM: What sort of gall did they put in my mouth? “They gave him,” it says, “wine mixed with myrrh.” [1] Myrrh is like gall in taste, and very bitter. “Is the Lord to be thus repaid by you?” [2] Are these the offerings you make to your master, O vine? CATECHETICAL LECTURES 13.28. [3]

[1] Cf. Mt 27:34; Mk 15:23.

[2] Deut 32:6.

[3] TLG 2110.003, 13.29.11-14; FC 64:23.

THE TASTE OF BITTERNESS

GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS: He is given vinegar to drink [1] and gall to eat [2] —and who is he? Why, One who turned water into wine, [3] who took away the taste of bitterness, [4] who is all sweetness and desire. [5] ORATION 29, ON THE SON 20. [6]

[1] Cf. Mt 27:48; Mk 15:36; Lk 23:36; Jn 19:29.

[2] Cf. Mt 27:34.

[3] Cf. Jn 2:7-9.

[4] Cf. Ex 15:25.

[5] Cf. Song 5:16.

[6] FGFR 260; TLG 2022.009, 20.26-28.

EXCEEDINGLY BITTER

AUGUSTINE: The gall is mentioned with a view to express the bitterness of the potion. And wine mingled with myrrh [1] is remarkable for its bitterness. The fact may also be that gall and myrrh together made the wine exceedingly bitter. Again, when Mark says that “he did not receive it,” we understand the phrase to denote that he did not receive it so as actually to drink it. He did taste it. HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS 3.11. [2]

[1] A sedative.

[2] HE BEGINNING OF THE GOSPEL | MARK 1:1-5

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