An inscription was also written over him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
Parallel translations
- KJV And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
- BSB Above Him was posted an inscription: 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 15:26The superscription of his accusation was written over him, “THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
- Matt 27:37They set up over his head the accusation against him written, “THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
- John 19:19–22Pilate wrote a title also, and put it on the cross. There was written, “JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
- Mark 15:32Let the Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, that we may see and believe him.” Those who were crucified with him also insulted him.
- Luke 23:3Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered him, “So you say.”
- Mark 15:18They began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
- Matt 27:11Now Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said to him, “So you say.”
- John 19:3They kept saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and they kept slapping him.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
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.