The Gospel of Matthew tells us: "After that, knowing that everything was already done, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said: I thirst. There stood a vessel full of vinegar. The soldiers, having poured a sponge with vinegar and put on hyssop, were brought to His mouth. When Jesus tasted the vinegar, he said, "It is finished!" And, having bowed his head, he gave up the spirit "
Let's try to figure out exactly what the evangelist Matthew meant under vinegar and what had to do with him. To begin with, it should be borne in mind that the author of the Gospel, Matthew, was not a Roman, but a Jew. And his profession was thoroughly peaceful - the publican.
Or, as it stands today, a tax inspector. In his gospel information is given about the three currencies that were in Jerusalem: the Roman sesterces, Greek drachmas and Jewish NIS. And archaeological excavations confirm his information. He ties the distances to customs posts, etc. In a word, Matthew had nothing to do with legionaries. And it was they who carried out both the protection of the place of execution and the execution of the sentence. Warriors who gave Jesus a sponge with vinegar are the legionaries.
In the time of Rome there was such a culinary tradition: to call sour vinegar, and sweet - honey. At the same time, the Romans did not hesitate to mix honey and vinegar, i.e. sweet and sour.