Above Him was posted an inscription: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Parallel translations
- WEB An inscription was also written over him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
- KJV And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
- NKJV And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
- NASB Now there was also an inscription above Him, “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
- NLT A sign was fastened above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
An inscription over Jesus declared Him King of the Jews in three languages. The charge against Him proclaimed the truth to all peoples.
Overview
Pilate's titulus, written in Greek, Latin, and Hebrew, announced Jesus' kingship to the whole world represented at the feast. What was intended as a criminal's accusation became an unwitting gospel proclamation. The crucified Jesus truly reigns, and His kingship is for every nation and tongue, fulfilling the promise that He would draw all peoples to Himself.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Mark 15:26And the charge inscribed against Him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS.
- Matt 27:37Above His head they posted the written charge against Him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
- John 19:19–22Pilate also had a notice posted on the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
- Mark 15:32Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross, so that we may see and believe!” And even those who were crucified with Him berated Him.
- Luke 23:3So Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied.
- Mark 15:18And they began to salute Him: “Hail, King of the Jews!”
- Matt 27:11Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, who questioned Him: “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied.
- John 19:3And they went up to Him again and again, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and slapping Him in the face.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Luke shows Jesus the Savior for all — outsiders, the poor, the nations — the one who, on the Emmaus road, opened all the Scriptures to show they were about himself.
How Luke 23:38 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.