Journal: Global Journal of Classical Theology
Volume: GJCT 19:3 (Mar 2023)
Article: The Sponge-Stick: Scatological Undertones To Christ’s Humiliation At The Crucifixion
Author: Benjamin J. Rusch

The Sponge-Stick: Scatological Undertones To Christ’s Humiliation At The Crucifixion

Benjamin J. Rusch (

B.A. Biblical Languages, Martin Luther College, New Ulm, MN

Abstract

Scholarship has routinely overlooked the identification of the sponge-stick used to offer drink to the crucified Jesus. This study proposes that the object in question was the xylospongium or tersorium, common in Roman toilet use. This hypothesis satisfies exegetical queries such as (i) why the drink was a mockery and not an act of mercy; (ii) why a reaching tool was used together with crosses that typically were short; (iii) why the gospels bother to specify the stick and the sponge. Objections to this identification are not insurmountable.*

* The author would like to thank the tireless research assistance of Robert W. Rowe during the preparation of this paper. This paper reflects the opinions of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of their church body or employer.

Introduction And A Brief History Of The Hypothesis

The sponge-stick that was offered to Jesus to drink from on the cross appears explicitly or implicitly in all four canonical gospels.

Matt 27:47–49 τινὲς δὲ τῶν ἐκεῖ ἑστηκότων ἀκούσαντες ἔλεγον ὅτι Ἠλίαν φωνεῖ οὗτος. καὶ εὐθέως δραμὼν εἷς ἐξ αὐτῶν καὶ λαβὼν σπόγγον πλήσας τε ὄξους καὶ περιθεὶς καλάμῳ ἐπότιζεν αὐτόν. οἱ δὲ λοιποὶ ἔλεγον, Ἄφες ἴδωμεν εἰ ἔρχεται Ἠλίας σώσων αὐτόν.1

Some of those who were standing there, after having heard, began to say, “This man is summoning Elijah!” And immediately one of them ran and took a sponge and filled it with vinegar, and he tried to give it to him to drink by putting it on a stick. But the others said, “Let it be! Let us see if Elijah is coming to save him!” 2

Mark 15:35–36 καί τινες τῶν παρεστηκότων ἀκούσαντες ἔλεγον ἴδε Ἠλίαν φωνεῖ. δραμὼν δέ τις [καὶ] γεμίσας σπόγγον ὄξους περιθεὶς καλάμῳ ἐπότιζεν αὐτὸν λέγων ἄφετε ἴδωμεν εἰ ἔρχεται Ἠλίας καθελεῖν αὐτόν.

And some of the ones present, having heard, said, “Behold...