Chapter
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Verse
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42

John 19:20
ESV Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek.
NIV Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek.
NASB Therefore many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and in Greek.
CSB Many of the Jews read this sign, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, Latin, and Greek.
NLT The place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, so that many people could read it.
KJV This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.

What does John 19:20 mean?

There's irony in Pilate's written description of Jesus (John 19:19). The inscription is intended as both a condemnation and thinly veiled insult to Israel. It is arguably the first written declaration of who Jesus truly was: the King. Aramaic was the typical spoken language of the Jewish people of that era. Greek was the collective language, used by those who naturally spoke other tongues, much as English is used in the modern word. Latin was the official language of the Roman Empire. That the words are written in three languages speaks to the diversity and worldwide reach of this part of the ancient world. In a symbolic sense, Jesus' crucifixion and Kingship are already being proclaimed to the entire earth.

Crucifixion was meant to be vile, painful, shameful, and extremely public. Victims were usually crucified where they could be easily seen, labeled with their crimes for others to see. In Jesus' case, the charge of being "King of the Jews" (John 19:19) implies rebellion against the Roman Empire. Jesus' religious enemies (John 11:48–53) are offended by this wording. That's probably something Pilate intended; he knows these men didn't recognize Jesus as King and that Jesus didn't seek political power (John 18:36–38; Matthew 27:18). The religious leaders of Jerusalem want Pilate to clarify that Jesus is being killed for falsely claiming to be King (John 19:21). The governor won't back down (John 19:22).
Expand
Expand
Expand
What is the Gospel?
Download the app:
BibleRef.com is part of Got Questions Ministries

For answers to your Bible questions, please visit