They set up over his head the accusation against him written, “THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
Parallel translations
- KJV And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
- BSB Above His head they posted the written charge against Him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
- ESV And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”
- NKJV And they put up over His head the accusation written against Him: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
- NASB And above His head they put up the charge against Him which read, “THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
- NLT A sign was fastened above Jesus’ head, announcing the charge against him. It read: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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
Above Jesus' head they post the charge: 'This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.' The accusation proclaims an unintended truth.
Overview
The written charge naming Jesus King of the Jews, meant to justify His execution, becomes an ironic public proclamation of His true identity. What the authorities intended as derision God uses to declare Jesus' kingship to all who pass by. Even in death the inscription testifies to the reign of the crucified Messiah.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 3
- Mark 15:26The superscription of his accusation was written over him, “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.”
- Luke 23:38An inscription was also written over him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 27:37 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.