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Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

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TITLE ( John 19:19-20 ). The ordinary term for the ‘ superscription , consisting usually of the name of the criminal and the crime with which he was charged ( Mark 15:26 ), written on a board, which, according to Roman practice, was carried in front, or hung from the neck of a prisoner as he was led through the streets of the city to execution, or exposed for punishment. In cases of crucifixion the inscription was often fastened above the head of the criminal ( Matthew 27:37 ). This public announcement was intended to serve as a warning to evil-doers.

The four inscriptions on the cross of Jesus mentioned in the Gospels are different, though the words ‘the King of the Jews’ (Mark 15:26 ) are common to all, and truly set forth the charge on which Jesus was formally condemned. Mt. ( Matthew 27:37 ) adds, ‘this is Jesus’; Lk. ( Luke 23:38 ), ‘this (is)’; and Jn. ( John 19:19 ) ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ The variations may be partly explained by the statement of Jn. that the inscription (like Roman edicts which also were often published in both Latin and Greek) was written in Hebrew, i.e. Aramaic (which was spoken ordinarily by the people of Jerusalem and the pilgrims from Palestine), Latin (the official language), and Greek (the lingua franca of the world). The Evangelist sees, in this announcement in the three languages of the Roman Empire, a symbol of the proclamation to the world of the Messiahship of Jesus, notwithstanding the efforts of the Jews to cover Him with ignominy. Jn. alone implies that Pilate took revenge on the Jews in preparing the inscription; Mt. and Mk. seem to suggest that the soldiers themselves placed the inscription on the cross, and crucified Jesus between two robbers in order to heighten the insult.

R. A. Falconer.