King James Version

What Does Luke 23:38 Mean?

Luke 23:38 in the King James Version says “And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” — study this verse from Luke chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

Luke 23:38 · KJV

Context

36

And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,

37

And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.

38

And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

39

And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

40

But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

Read Luke 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. The "superscription" (epigraphē, ἐπιγραφή) was the titulus—a placard stating the criminal's offense, displayed to warn others and justify the execution. Pilate ordered it written in three languages: Greek (the language of culture and commerce), Latin (the language of Roman law and government), and Hebrew/Aramaic (the language of Jewish religion), ensuring maximum readability in cosmopolitan Jerusalem.

John 19:19-22 reveals Pilate wrote "JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS," and Jewish leaders protested, demanding it read "He said, I am King of the Jews." Pilate refused: "What I have written I have written." His stubborn insistence, whether from spite toward Jewish leaders or divine providence (or both), resulted in the gospel being proclaimed in three languages above the dying Savior. Though intended as mockery, it declared profound truth.

The trilingual inscription symbolizes the universality of Christ's reign and the gospel's reach. Greek, Latin, and Hebrew represented the major cultural streams of the ancient world—Hellenistic philosophy, Roman law, and Jewish religion. Above the cross, in humanity's principal tongues, God proclaimed Jesus' kingship to all nations. This foreshadows Philippians 2:9-11: "God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow... and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord."

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Historical & Cultural Context

Roman crucifixion protocols required displaying the charge (causa poenae) to justify execution and deter others. The titulus was typically carried before the condemned en route to execution, then affixed above the cross. Archaeological evidence confirms this practice—a first-century ossuary discovered near Jerusalem contained a heel bone pierced by a crucifixion nail, and historical sources describe the placard custom.

Jerusalem's multilingual character during Passover made the trilingual inscription necessary. Jews from throughout the Diaspora spoke Greek; Roman officials and soldiers used Latin; local Jews spoke Aramaic/Hebrew. Josephus records that Jerusalem during major festivals swelled from 50,000 to over 200,000 people. Pilate's inscription ensured maximum readership, ironically turning Christ's cross into a billboard proclaiming His kingship to representatives of the entire known world. The Jewish leaders' objection reveals their recognition that this proclamation, though meant as mockery, could be read as validation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's providence turning Pilate's mocking inscription into a universal proclamation of Christ's kingship encourage us that God works even through hostile intentions?
  2. What does the trilingual inscription teach about the gospel's universal scope—its relevance to all cultures, languages, and peoples?
  3. How should the irony that Christ's 'crime' (being King) was actually His true identity shape our understanding of Christian persecution—that what the world counts as shame is actually our glory?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 19 words
ἦν1 of 19

“was”

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

δὲ2 of 19

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

καὶ3 of 19

“also”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐπιγραφὴ4 of 19

“a superscription”

G1923

an inscription

γεγραμμένη5 of 19

“written”

G1125

to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe

ἐπ'6 of 19

“over”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

αὐτῷ7 of 19

“him”

G846

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

γράμμασιν8 of 19

“in letters”

G1121

a writing, i.e., a letter, note, epistle, book, etc.; plural learning

Ἑλληνικοῖς,9 of 19

“of Greek”

G1673

hellenic, i.e., grecian (in language)

καὶ10 of 19

“also”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Ῥωμαικοῖς11 of 19

“Latin”

G4513

romaic, i.e., latin

καὶ12 of 19

“also”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Ἑβραικοῖς,13 of 19

“Hebrew”

G1444

hebraic or the jewish language

Οὗτός14 of 19

“THIS”

G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

ἐστιν15 of 19

“IS”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

Ὁ16 of 19
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

βασιλεὺς17 of 19

“THE KING”

G935

a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)

τῶν18 of 19
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰουδαίων19 of 19

“OF THE JEWS”

G2453

judaean, i.e., belonging to jehudah

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 23:38 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 23:38 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Mark 15:26Matthew 27:37John 19:19-22Luke 23:3Mark 15:32Mark 15:18

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