Matthew 27:37
And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπάνω
over
G1883
ἐπάνω
over
Strong's:
G1883
Word #:
3 of 17
up above, i.e., over or on (of place, amount, rank, etc.)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κεφαλῆς
head
G2776
κεφαλῆς
head
Strong's:
G2776
Word #:
5 of 17
the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 17
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αἰτίαν
accusation
G156
αἰτίαν
accusation
Strong's:
G156
Word #:
8 of 17
a cause (as if asked for), i.e., (logical) reason (motive, matter), (legal) crime (alleged or proved)
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 17
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
γεγραμμένην·
written
G1125
γεγραμμένην·
written
Strong's:
G1125
Word #:
10 of 17
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
Οὗτός
THIS
G3778
Οὗτός
THIS
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
11 of 17
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
Ἰησοῦς
JESUS
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
JESUS
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
13 of 17
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βασιλεὺς
THE KING
G935
βασιλεὺς
THE KING
Strong's:
G935
Word #:
15 of 17
a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)
Historical Context
The titulus served as public warning—crucifixion was primarily deterrent, meant to terrorize populations into submission. That Pilate wrote 'King of the Jews' rather than 'claimed to be king' was unusual, perhaps his final insult to the Jewish leaders who forced his hand.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Pilate's unwitting proclamation of Jesus's kingship demonstrate God's sovereignty over human pride?
- What does the trilingual inscription (Hebrew, Greek, Latin) symbolize about the universal scope of Christ's reign?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS (ἡ αἰτία αὐτοῦ γεγραμμένη, hē aitia autou gegrammenē)—the titulus or placard stating the crime. Pilate's inscription, written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin (John 19:19-20), proclaims ironic truth: Jesus IS King.
The chief priests protested (John 19:21): Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. Pilate refused. His contemptuous dismissal of Jewish sensibilities became prophecy: Jesus is King of the Jews, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. The accusation is coronation.