Scripture Reading: John 19:17-22
And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center. 19 Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was:
JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.
Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘He said, “I am the King of the Jews.” ’ ”
Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”
Iesus Nazarenus Rex Ludaeorum is the Latin phrase Pilate wrote and placarded with a nail to affix over Jesus’ head on His cross. It is often represented by the initials INRI. This was written, not only in Latin but in Hebrew and Greek as well.
More than once John lets us know that what was happening through human knavery was used by God to display and proclaim divine truth. Earlier in John’s Gospel, the high priest, Caiaphas, says “It is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that whole nation should perish.” While Caiaphas was thinking only in utilitarian, pragmatic terms, John tells us that he was in actuality prophesying about the vicarious nature of Jesus’ death.
Likewise, here in chapter 19, in his mind, Pilate is merely displaying the accusation for which Jesus is being executed. It was a Roman method of saying to people, “You don’t want to do what this man did. If you do you will die this man’s death.” It was a very effective deterrent to crimes against the state.
For some reason, Pilate wrote that Jesus is “The King of the Jews” as a statement of fact and not his own personal, delusional claim. The Jews wanted it corrected. Pilate refused. It remained for all to see:
THE KING OF THE JEWS
It was written, not only in Hebrew, but in Greek and Latin as well. It was written in the languages of the world (not in a literal, all-inclusive sense, but in a symbolic sense). For some reason, it has recently become offensive to say that Jesus is King. It seems like a new thing, but it isn’t. The Jewish leaders were offended by what Pilate wrote then and people are offended by it being said now.
Being offended doesn’t make something untrue.
Jesus is King.
What I have written, I have written.
INRI
Thankful for the insight and the application of this significant statement! Great reminder JESUS IS KING!