And straightway one of them ran and took a sponge
Which was not far from the cross, where a vessel full of vinegar was set, ( John 19:29 ) ,
and filled it with vinegar;
dipping it into it, it sucked it up. Some of these sponges had leathern handles to them. F18
And put it on a reed; a stalk of hyssop; (See Gill on John 19:29),
and gave him to drink;
not to revive his spirits, or hasten his death, as some have thought, but in contempt of him, and to mock him, he having signified that he was athirst.