What does INRI stand for?

Answer

John 19:19 records, “Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” John 19:20 continues, “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.” Today, often when the cross of Jesus is displayed, the letters INRI are placed on the sign above the cross. In Latin, the text “JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS” would have been written as “Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum.” Abbreviated, this phrase results in “INRI.” It is improbable that the letters INRI were indeed on the sign that Pilate placed over Jesus’ head, as John 19:20 specifically states that the sign was written in Aramaic, Greek, and Latin.

While John’s gospel refers to the writing as a “title,” Mark and Matthew both refer to it as an “accusation.” It was customary to display over the heads of crucified individuals the offense for which they suffered, along with the name of the sufferer. The accusation on which Jesus had been condemned by Pilate was his assertion of being the King of the Jews. Ironically, the “offense” for which Jesus was crucified is not an offense at all, but an entirely truthful statement. Jesus is not only the King of the Jews, but also the King of all – the King of kings and the Lord of lords «These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. », (Revelation 17:14 and 19:16). He reigns over the entire universe and all its inhabitants. What was nailed to the cross was not any wrongdoing of His own, but the wrongdoings (sins) of all who would ever place their faith in Him for salvation. He has “blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary t

“blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross” (Colossians 2:14).

Just as the title King of the Jews was written in three languages, so do those of all nations and languages recognize Him as Savior. Indeed, He is the Savior of all the elect of God whom He saves from all their sins by bearing them in His own body on the cross. He is the able and willing, perfect and complete, only and everlasting Savior.