Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 27:48

"And straightway one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink." — Matthew 27:48 (ASV)

See comment on v.34; the allusion is again Ps 69:21. What is not clear is whether the offer of a drink here is meant as a gesture of mercy or as mockery; its purpose may have been to prolong life and agony, while with false piety the onlookers say they will wait for Elijah to rescue him.