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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Luke 23:38 Above Him was posted an inscription: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/luke/23-38.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/42_Luk_23_38.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Luke 23:38 - The Crucifixion" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Above Him was posted an inscription: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS." /><script type="application/javascript" 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cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad18.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/luke/23-37.htm" title="Luke 23:37">◄</a> Luke 23:38 <a href="/luke/23-39.htm" title="Luke 23:39">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/luke/23.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/luke/23.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/luke/23.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />A sign was fastened above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/luke/23.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/luke/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Above Him was posted an inscription: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/luke/23.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And there was also this inscription over Him: The King of the Jews.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/luke/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/luke/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/luke/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now there was also an inscription above Him, “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/luke/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Now there was also an inscription above Him, &#8220THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/luke/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Now there was also an inscription above Him, “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/luke/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now there was also an inscription above Him, “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/luke/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now there was also an inscription above Him: “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/luke/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />An inscription was above him: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/luke/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />An inscription was above Him: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/luke/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And there was also a superscription over him, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/luke/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Above him was a sign that said, "This is the King of the Jews." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/luke/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And there was also a superscription over him, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/luke/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />A written notice was placed above him. It said, "This is the king of the Jews."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/luke/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Above him were written these words: "This is the King of the Jews." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/luke/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />There was also an inscription over him written in Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: "This is the King of the Jews."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/luke/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />There was also an inscription over him, "This is the king of the Jews." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/luke/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />An inscription was also written above him: "THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/luke/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And a superscription also was written over him, in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/luke/23.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />There was moreover a writing over His head: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/luke/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Above Him was posted an inscription written in Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/luke/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />An inscription was also written over him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/luke/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And there was also an inscription written over Him [[in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew]]: “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/luke/23.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And there was also this inscription over Him: The King of the Jews.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/luke/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And there was also a superscription written over him, in letters of Greek, and Roman, and Hebrew, 'This is the King of the Jews.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/luke/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And there was also an inscription written upon him, in letters Greek, Roman, and Hebrew; THIS IS KING OF THE JEWS.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/luke/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And there was also a superscription written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/luke/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Now there was also an inscription written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/luke/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Above him there was an inscription that read, “This is the King of the Jews.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/luke/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/luke/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />There was also an inscription which was written over him, in Greek and Roman, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/luke/23.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />And there was an inscription that was written over him in Greek and in Latin and in Aramaic: “This is The King of the Judeans.”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/luke/23.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />And a superscription was also written over him in Greek and in Roman and in Hebrew letters, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/luke/23.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />And the superscription was also over Him: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/luke/23.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />And there was an inscription written over him in Greek, Roman, and Hebrew characters, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/luke/23.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />they likewise put the following inscription over his head, in Greek, in Latin, and in Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/luke/23.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />There was moreover a writing over His head: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/luke/23.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />And there was also an inscription over Him, "THE KING OF THE JEWS, THIS!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/luke/23.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />And there was a superscription written over Him in Greek, and Latin and Hebrew letters, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/luke/23-38.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3-5_0Jtd9Lc?start=9326" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/luke/23.htm">The Crucifixion</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">37</span>“If You are the King of the Jews,” they said, “save Yourself!” <span class="reftext">38</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/1909.htm" title="1909: ep’ (Prep) -- On, to, against, on the basis of, at. ">Above</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">Him</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: Ēn (V-IIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">was posted</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/1923.htm" title="1923: epigraphē (N-NFS) -- An inscription, title, label. From epigrapho; an inscription.">an inscription:</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: HOUTOS (DPro-NMS) -- This; he, she, it. ">THIS IS</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: HO (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">THE</a> <a href="/greek/935.htm" title="935: BASILEUS (N-NMS) -- A king, ruler, but in some passages clearly to be translated: emperor. Probably from basis; a sovereign.">KING</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: TŌN (Art-GMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">OF THE</a> <a href="/greek/2453.htm" title="2453: IOUDAIŌN (Adj-GMP) -- Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah.">JEWS. </a> </span> <span class="reftext">39</span>One of the criminals who hung there heaped abuse on Him. “Are You not the Christ?” he said. “Save Yourself and us!”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/19-19.htm">John 19:19-22</a></span><br />Pilate also had a notice posted on the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. / Many of the Jews read this sign, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. / So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but only that He said, ‘I am the King of the Jews.’” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-37.htm">Matthew 27:37</a></span><br />Above His head they posted the written charge against Him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/15-26.htm">Mark 15:26</a></span><br />And the charge inscribed against Him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/53-3.htm">Isaiah 53:3</a></span><br />He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/22-6.htm">Psalm 22:6-8</a></span><br />But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people. / All who see me mock me; they sneer and shake their heads: / “He trusts in the LORD, let the LORD deliver him; let the LORD rescue him, since He delights in him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/18-33.htm">John 18:33-37</a></span><br />Pilate went back into the Praetorium, summoned Jesus, and asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” / “Are you saying this on your own,” Jesus asked, “or did others tell you about Me?” / “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed You over to me. What have You done?” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-49.htm">John 1:49</a></span><br />“Rabbi,” Nathanael answered, “You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/9-9.htm">Zechariah 9:9</a></span><br />Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/7-13.htm">Daniel 7:13-14</a></span><br />In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. / And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, that the people of every nation and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/2-6.htm">Psalm 2:6</a></span><br />“I have installed My King on Zion, upon My holy mountain.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/12-13.htm">John 12:13-15</a></span><br />They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the King of Israel!” / Finding a young donkey, Jesus sat on it, as it is written: / “Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion. See, your King is coming, seated on the colt of a donkey.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/2-36.htm">Acts 2:36</a></span><br />Therefore let all Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/2-9.htm">Philippians 2:9-11</a></span><br />Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, / that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, / and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/19-16.htm">Revelation 19:16</a></span><br />And He has a name written on His robe and on His thigh: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/6-15.htm">1 Timothy 6:15</a></span><br />which the blessed and only Sovereign One—the King of kings and Lord of lords—will bring about in His own time.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/23-3.htm">Luke 23:3</a></b></br> And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest <i>it</i>.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/27-11.htm">Matthew 27:11,37</a></b></br> And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/15-18.htm">Mark 15:18,26,32</a></b></br> And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews! … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/mark/7-26.htm">Greek</a> <a href="/luke/22-47.htm">Head</a> <a href="/jonah/1-9.htm">Hebrew</a> <a href="/luke/20-24.htm">Inscription</a> <a href="/luke/23-37.htm">JEWS</a> <a href="/jeremiah/29-25.htm">Letters</a> <a href="/luke/22-21.htm">Moreover</a> <a href="/luke/8-47.htm">Notice</a> <a href="/luke/12-56.htm">Read</a> <a href="/luke/2-1.htm">Roman</a> <a href="/luke/20-24.htm">Superscription</a> <a href="/luke/23-9.htm">Words</a> <a href="/luke/16-7.htm">Writing</a> <a href="/luke/22-37.htm">Written</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/19-20.htm">Greek</a> <a href="/john/8-6.htm">Head</a> <a href="/john/5-2.htm">Hebrew</a> <a href="/john/19-19.htm">Inscription</a> <a href="/luke/23-51.htm">JEWS</a> <a href="/john/7-15.htm">Letters</a> <a href="/luke/24-21.htm">Moreover</a> <a href="/john/19-19.htm">Notice</a> <a href="/john/19-19.htm">Read</a> <a href="/john/18-3.htm">Roman</a> <a href="/matthew/22-20.htm">Superscription</a> <a href="/luke/23-46.htm">Words</a> <a href="/john/1-45.htm">Writing</a> <a href="/luke/24-44.htm">Written</a><div class="vheading2">Luke 23</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/23-1.htm">Jesus is accused before Pilate, and sent to Herod.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/23-8.htm">Herod mocks him.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/23-12.htm">Herod and Pilate become friends.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/23-13.htm">Barabbas is desired of the people, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/23-24.htm">and is released by Pilate, and Jesus is given to be crucified.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/23-26.htm">He tells the women, that lament him, the destruction of Jerusalem;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">34. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/23-34.htm">prays for his enemies.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">39. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/23-39.htm">Two criminals are crucified with him.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">46. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/23-46.htm">His death.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">50. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/23-50.htm">His burial.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/23.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/luke/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Above Him was posted an inscription:</b><br>The placement of the inscription above Jesus on the cross was a common Roman practice to indicate the crime for which the condemned was being executed. This was intended to serve as a public deterrent. The fact that it was placed above Jesus signifies the Roman authority's role in His crucifixion, highlighting the political tension between Roman rule and Jewish leadership. The inscription was written in three languages: Hebrew, Latin, and Greek (<a href="/john/19-20.htm">John 19:20</a>), ensuring that it was understood by all who passed by, reflecting the diverse population of Jerusalem at the time.<p><b>THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS:</b><br>This title, meant to mock Jesus, ironically affirms His true identity as the Messiah, the promised King from the line of David (<a href="/2_samuel/7-12.htm">2 Samuel 7:12-16</a>). The Jewish leaders rejected this claim, seeing it as blasphemy, while Pilate used it to provoke them (<a href="/john/19-21.htm">John 19:21-22</a>). The title fulfills Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah's kingship (<a href="/zechariah/9-9.htm">Zechariah 9:9</a>) and highlights the misunderstanding of Jesus' mission, which was not to establish an earthly kingdom but a spiritual one (<a href="/john/18-36.htm">John 18:36</a>). The inscription serves as a profound theological statement, pointing to Jesus' role as the King who reigns through sacrifice and humility, contrasting with worldly expectations of power and dominance.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>Central figure of the New Testament, crucified as the King of the Jews. His crucifixion is the pivotal event of the Christian faith, symbolizing the atonement for humanity's sins.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/pontius_pilate.htm">Pontius Pilate</a></b><br>The Roman governor who authorized Jesus' crucifixion. He ordered the inscription to be placed above Jesus, highlighting the charge against Him.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_inscription.htm">The Inscription</a></b><br>Written in three languages (Greek, Latin, and Hebrew), it declared Jesus as "The King of the Jews," which was both a political charge and a profound theological truth.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/golgotha.htm">Golgotha</a></b><br>The place of the crucifixion, also known as "The Place of the Skull." It is a significant location in Christian tradition, symbolizing the sacrifice of Jesus.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_jewish_leaders.htm">The Jewish Leaders</a></b><br>They opposed Jesus and played a role in His crucifixion. They objected to the inscription, wanting it to say that Jesus claimed to be the King of the Jews.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_irony_of_the_inscription.htm">The Irony of the Inscription</a></b><br>The inscription intended as a charge of sedition ironically proclaims a profound truth: Jesus is indeed the King, not just of the Jews, but of all creation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_universality_of_jesus'_kingship.htm">The Universality of Jesus' Kingship</a></b><br>Written in three languages, the inscription signifies the universal reign of Christ, accessible to all people, transcending cultural and linguistic barriers.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_fulfillment_of_prophecy.htm">The Fulfillment of Prophecy</a></b><br>Jesus' crucifixion as King fulfills Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah, affirming the reliability and divine inspiration of Scripture.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_rejection_and_acceptance_of_jesus'_kingship.htm">The Rejection and Acceptance of Jesus' Kingship</a></b><br>The Jewish leaders' rejection of Jesus as King contrasts with the acceptance required of believers today. We are called to recognize and submit to His authority in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_cost_of_discipleship.htm">The Cost of Discipleship</a></b><br>Jesus' path to kingship involved suffering and sacrifice. As His followers, we are called to take up our cross, embracing the cost of discipleship in our own lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_luke_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Luke 23</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_did_the_cross_inscription_say.htm">What was the wording on the cross in the Gospels? Matthew: "This is Jesus the King of the Jews," Mark: "The King of the Jews," Luke: "This is the King of the Jews," John: "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews."</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_inri_mean.htm">What is the meaning of the letters INRI?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_pilate's_'king_of_the_jews'.htm">Is there any historical evidence outside John 19:19 to confirm Pilate’s inscription of “King of the Jews”? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_mark_15_align_with_other_gospels.htm">How do the events described in Mark 15 align with differing crucifixion accounts in the other Gospels? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/luke/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(38) <span class= "bld">And a superscription.</span>--See Note on <a href="/matthew/27-38.htm" title="Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.">Matthew 27:38</a>.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/luke/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 38.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS</span>. The older authorities omit "in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew," but the fact is indisputable, for we read the same statement in <a href="/john/19-20.htm">John 19:20</a>, where in the older authorities the order of the titles is, "in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek." Such multilingual inscriptions were common in the great provincial cities of the empire, where so many nationalities were wont to congregate. The four reports of the inscriptions slightly differ verbally, not substantially. Pilate probably (see note on ver. 33, on effect of accurate rendering of <a href="/john/19-19.htm">John 19:19</a>, "and Pilate wrote a title also") wrote a rough draft with his own hand, "Rex Ju-daeorum hic est." One of the officials translated freely into Hebrew and Greek the Roman governor's Latin memorandum of what he desired to have written in black on the white gypsum-smeared board to be affixed to the upper arm of the cross. <span class="hebrew">ישו הנצרי מלך היהודים</span> (John).<br /><span class="greek">Ὁ βασιλεὺς τῶν Ιουδαίων</span> (Mark).<br /><span class="accented">Rex Judaeorum hic est</span> (Luke). Dr. Farrar suggests that the title over the cross was as above. St. Matthew's is an accurate combination of the three, and was not improbably, <span class="accented">as a combination of the three inscriptions</span>, the common form reproduced in the first oral Gospel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/luke/23-38.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Above</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐπ’</span> <span class="translit">(ep’)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1909.htm">Strong's 1909: </a> </span><span class="str2">On, to, against, on the basis of, at. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">Him</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτῷ</span> <span class="translit">(autō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was [posted]</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἦν</span> <span class="translit">(Ēn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">an inscription:</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐπιγραφὴ</span> <span class="translit">(epigraphē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1923.htm">Strong's 1923: </a> </span><span class="str2">An inscription, title, label. From epigrapho; an inscription.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[This is] the</span><br /><span class="grk">Ο</span> <span class="translit">(HO)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">King</span><br /><span class="grk">ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΣ</span> <span class="translit">(BASILEUS)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king, ruler, but in some passages clearly to be translated: emperor. Probably from basis; a sovereign.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the</span><br /><span class="grk">ΤΩΝ</span> <span class="translit">(TŌN)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Genitive Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Jews.</span><br /><span class="grk">ΙΟΥΔΑΙΩΝ</span> <span class="translit">(IOUDAIŌN)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2453.htm">Strong's 2453: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/luke/23-38.htm">Luke 23:38 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/luke/23-38.htm">Luke 23:38 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/luke/23-38.htm">Luke 23:38 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/luke/23-38.htm">Luke 23:38 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/luke/23-38.htm">Luke 23:38 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/luke/23-38.htm">Luke 23:38 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/luke/23-38.htm">Luke 23:38 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/luke/23-38.htm">Luke 23:38 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/luke/23-38.htm">Luke 23:38 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/luke/23-38.htm">Luke 23:38 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/luke/23-38.htm">NT Gospels: Luke 23:38 An inscription was also written over him (Luke Lu Lk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/luke/23-37.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Luke 23:37"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Luke 23:37" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/luke/23-39.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Luke 23:39"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Luke 23:39" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>