Jesus on the cross, "I thirst"?

Question

I was listening to a Billy Graham sermon wherein he said that when Jesus was on the cross he was offered "gall and vinegar" when he said "I thirst". He went on to say that Jesus turned it down and said Jesus turned it down because the gall and vinegar could have acted as a pain killer (seriously) and that it was being offered as such...and that Jesus was not going to take any kind of "pain killer" while dying for us, he was going to do the job as it was intended. I was rather shocked to hear Billy Graham say this but I swear it is true. I have the sermon on video tape. I always thought the gall and vinegar was offered as a mockery to Jesus because in saying he was thirsty, he was offered vinegar and who would drink that? And gall is spit, so who would drink spit if thirsty. Because when Jesus was on the cross he was being mocked. People were screaming saying "you saved others, now save yourself" and so forth. Do you think what Billy Graham said is strange? I do.

Answer 1

Here's a site that also mentions that.

http://deseretbook.com/mormon-life/news/printable?story_id=4079

use ctrl + f and search for gall. It's in the 1st paragraph under "Jesus on the Cross: Prophecies Fulfilled"

It makes sense to me. There were more than just mockers at the Crucifixion. Some wanted to help him.

Answer 2

The gall was probably Colocynth, which is as you suggest a cathartic. Not spittle.

I drink Colocynth (bitter cucumber) tea and it is an amazing restorative. I really don't think that pain reliever effect would have meant much when balanced with the restoration of alertness. I think it probably would have made the pain worse overall.

Answer 3

In Jesus's day vinager and gall were pain killers, Billy Graham was right own as you should have realized. Jesus refused anything that would take away from his suffering for us on the cross. He shed his perfect blood as an atonement for our sins. Our sins seperate us from God and it says in Hebrews chapter 9 that without the sheding of blood there is no remission for sins. When Jesus died on the cross then arose from the grave he forever, once and for all, washed away the guilt of sin to all who believe and accept his salvation. If you want to get to Heaven then you must accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, have you did that, if not here is a sinners Prayer that you can Pray that will take you to the foot of the cross and wash away your sins if you believe, just say Dear Jesus, I know and confess that I am sinner in need of salvation. I believe you died on a cross at calvery and arose from the grave to wash away my sins, I ask you right now to come into my heart and save me, I pray this Prayer believing in the name of Jesus Amen. If you prayed this prayer with a sincere heart you are now a child of God, rejoice that your name is written in the Lambs book of Life. Jesus will now send his Holy Spirit to come and live in your heart and guide you into all truth. If you have any questions just send me an email, God Bless YOU!!

Answer 4

I was really sad to read a lot of bad things about Billy Graham in the past few months. He also says that jesus isn't the only way to God!

look:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=rAE5yagnadM

and

http://youtube.com/watch?v=axxlXy6bLH0&mode=related&search=

Very disappointing.

God Bless

Answer 5

I find that very strange the B. G. said such a thing. And I strongly disagree.

You are correct when you say it was given to him not as a way to quench his thirst. It was another form of torment.

As for him saying he was thirsty, I am not sure but I believe he said it as another fulfillment of scripture. I believe it was prophesized and him saying it fulfilled prophesy.

Answer 6

Based on other research, it was probably water with reserpine, a drug used by many mystics at that time, a drug which Jesus probably used for visions. The resperpine would have accelerated his mania on the cross.

Answer 7

No-- Catholics understand this---what I find is interesting is when my Father was dieing we used sponges on a stick to wet his mouth and I for sure saw Jesus in his face and I thought of this passage.

Answer 8

My brother I say to you and all christians please read bible very well , and read this also well
Bible says “Jesus was saved from crucification”
- The Bible says “The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin” Proverbs 21:12 (NIV)
The Bible tells us “The righteous man is rescued from trouble, and it comes on the wicked instead” Proverbs 11:8 (NIV) .. Was this applied with Jesus the righteous man?
Jesus said to his disciples "But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me” John 16:32 (NIV), but Mathew says “Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Matthew 27:46 NIV .. God, the Father was with him or forsaken him? .. The Bible told us that God will not forsake his faithful ones and they will be protected “For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut of” Psalm 37:28 (NIV) Was Jesus a faithful one or wicked? Sure he was faithful so he must be protected
The Bible says that everyone must die for his sins “But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge” Jeremiah 31:30 (NKJV)
Again the Bible told us that everyone must die for his own sin “the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not die for the children, neither shall the children die for the fathers, but every man shall die for his own sin” 2 Chronicles 25:4 (NKJV)
The Bible says “The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him” Ezekiel 18:20 (NKJV)
The Bible says that God will save his Messiah “Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand” Psalm 20:6 NIV
The Bible says again that God will save his Messiah “The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one” Psalm 28:8 (NIV)
The Bible says for the third time that God will save his Messiah “He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him” Psalm 22:8 (NKJV)
The Bible told us that the angel of the LORD will save his Messiah “The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them” Psalm 34:7 NKJV
The Gospel of Luke told us that the angel of the LORD appeared to Jesus “And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him” Luke 22:43 NKJV
The Bible told us that God will not forsake his faithful ones and they will be protected “For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut of” Psalm 37:28 (NIV) Was Jesus a faithful one or wicked? Sure he was faithful so he must be protected

Answer 9

It was bitter. The Bible teaches about the drink offerings. If you drink offering is bitter, Jesus will not receive it. : )

Answer 10

I don't know many pain killers that can alleviate the pain of lashing and crucifixion.