Note 1 at Mt. 27:34: There were two instances during the crucifixion when Jesus was given vinegar to drink. The first instance is here (also Mk. 15:23 and Lk. 23:36), which may have taken place before Jesus was actually nailed to the cross, and the second instance is recorded In Matthew 27:48; Mark 15:36; and John 19:29 just before Jesus "gave up the ghost" (Jn. 19:30), when a sponge was dipped in vinegar and lifted to Jesus on the cross.

The vinegar that Matthew is speaking of is actually sour wine. The Greek word that is used is "oxos" and denotes "sour wine, the ordinary drink of labourers and common soldiers" (W.E. Vine, Expository Dictionary of N.T. Words, p. 188). Mark, in describing this same instance, uses the word "wine" as the drink that was given to Jesus. Wine is spoken of as vinegar elsewhere in scripture (Num. 6:3; Ruth 2:14).

The sour wine was mixed with gall or, as Mark records it, with myrrh (Mk. 15:23). Scholars differ on exactly what this gall was but all agree that it had a narcotic effect that dulled the senses. Therefore, Jesus refused to drink, desiring to have His full senses and endure the complete extent of suffering for us on the cross.

The second time Jesus was offered this sour wine (Mt. 27:48 and Jn. 19:29-30), it was not mixed with anything but was simply given to quench His thirst and He received it.