What does John 19:20 mean?

Explanation

John 19:20 refers to the title that Pontius Pilate had written and placed on the cross of Jesus of Nazareth during the crucifixion.

The title typically read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." The significance of this verse lies not only in the message of the title but also in the detail that it was written in three languages: Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.

The use of multiple languages meant that the inscription could be read by the diverse population of Jerusalem, which included Jews and people from various parts of the Roman Empire.

The presence of multiple languages emphasizes the universality of the message and the event.

Additionally, while Pilate may have intended this as a political statement, early Christians saw it as an affirmation of Jesus' messianic kingship.

Historical Context

John 19:20 is set in the context of Jesus’ crucifixion outside the walls of Jerusalem, which took place during the Roman occupation of Judea in the first century.

The location was close to the city so that passersby could see the crucified individuals, serving as both a deterrent against crimes and a public declaration of Roman power.

It was common practice for the Roman authorities to place a title above the condemned to denote the crime for which they were being executed.

The use of Hebrew reflects the local language of the Jewish inhabitants, Latin was the official language of the Roman authorities, and Greek was the lingua franca of the Eastern Mediterranean and widely spoken among educated people in the region.

Theological Insights

This verse offers various theological insights across different Christian traditions.

For some, it is seen as the fulfillment of prophecies concerning the Messiah, presenting Jesus as the King not just of the Jews but of all nations.

Others see the irony in the title , what was intended as a mocking political statement by Pilate is seen by believers as a declaration of Jesus' sovereign status.

The inclusion of three languages symbolizes the universal reach of Christ’s message, inviting all of humanity to embrace the Gospel.

Practical Applications

John 19:20 can teach the importance of clear communication in multicultural contexts, embracing diversity in the spreading of one's message, and recognizing the importance of reaching out to different cultural and linguistic groups.

It also invites reflection on how one's actions or words can have unintended meanings or consequences that go beyond their original intentions.

Cross-References

• Luke 23:38 - "And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS."
• Matthew 27:37 - "And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS."

Language Study

The key terms in this verse include:

• "title" (Greek: "titlos"), which in this context means an inscription or notice.
• "read" (Greek: "aneginosken"), which refers to the act of reading or recognizing written characters.
• "crucified" (Greek: "estaurothe"), a term that relates specifically to being hanged on a cross, a form of Roman execution.

Each word underscores different aspects: "title" emphasizes the public announcement; "read" brings attention to the widespread ability to understand the message; and "crucified" highlights the method of execution tied to the significant event being announced.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparison to other ancient rituals and religious interpretations, the use of multiple languages on a death proclamation was relatively unique to the Roman Empire.

In many ancient cultures, religious texts were often restricted to a single, sacred language.

The multilingual inscription breaks with this tradition and underlines the multicultural and political dimension of the Roman Empire.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the verse can be related to studies of historical linguistics and archaeology which investigate the usage and spread of languages in ancient times.

The fact that the inscription was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin is in line with historical accounts that these languages were prevalent in the region during that era.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians offer diverse interpretations of John 19:20:

• Raymond E.

Brown suggests that the inscription indicates the seriousness of Jesus' challenge to the political and religious authorities of the time and how this challenge was perceived differently by Romans and Jews.

• William Barclay notes that the use of three languages reflects the universality of Jesus’ kingship and the nature of the Christian Church that would grow from his teachings.
• Craig S.

Keener emphasizes that the multilingual inscription was normal Roman practice, but John uses it to make theological points about the nature of Jesus’ kingship and the scope of his mission.