Saying #5: I Thirst (John 19:28-29)
2022-05-15
After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. (John 19:28-29)
This is one of the fulfillments of Psalm 69: “Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink” (Psalm 69:20-21).
This also is a fulfillment of Psalm 22: “My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death” (Psalm 22:15).
While the saying “I thirst” is only in the Gospel of John, the event is in all four gospels. He was alone, with no one to help Him. Offering vinegar was part of mocking Him (Luke 23:36). But He also knew “that the scripture might be fulfilled,” and said this also to point us to the Scriptures that we might believe.