English
Português
Español
Français
Answer
Jesus is referred to as the King of the Jews twice in His earthly life: at His birth by the wise men «saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. », (Matthew 2:2) and at His trial and subsequent crucifixion «And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it. », (Mark 15:2). All four gospels record the words “King of the Jews” as part of Pilate’s instructions to the angry mob (Matthew 27:37;Mark 15:9;Luke 23:38;John 19:3) and Pilate’s direct address to Jesus (Matthew 27:11;Mark 15:2;Luke 23:3;John 18:33). It is interesting that only non-Jews used this specific title to describe Jesus, underscoring the truth of John 1:11, which says, “He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.”
The title King of the Jews had both messianic and political implications. Kings in Israel were anointed with oil as a sign of God’s choosing «And Zadok the priest took a horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon. », (see 1 Kings 1:39), and the meaning of Messiah is “Anointed One.” As the Son of David, the Messiah was chosen by God to fulfill the Davidic Covenant and rule on the throne in Jerusalem. When the magi came to Jerusalem seeking the King of the Jews, they most likely had in mind a future political leader.al leader, much to King Herod’s chagrin. But the Jews in Jerusalem, upon hearing the magi’s inquiry, would have considered the long-awaited Messiah.
In Mark 15:32, some mockingly referred to Jesus as the “King of Israel” and linked the title with “Christ” (“Messiah”). Their intention was to mock and scorn—what kind of king would be crucified?—yet ironically, it was the truth. Jesus indeed was the King of Israel, and He was on the cross to redeem them from their sins.
The inscription that Pilate placed above Jesus on the cross identified the “criminal” in three languages: “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews” «And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. », (John 19:19). The Jewish leaders objected to the use of a Messianic title for Jesus: “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews” (verse 21). For reasons undisclosed, Pilate declined to change the inscription (verse 22), which was another ironic declaration of truth.
During Jesus’ trial, Pilate inquired, “Are you the king of the Jews?” «And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it . », (Mark 15:2). Jesus responded, “So you say” (NASB). Later, Jesus elaborated on His kingship: “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place” «Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. », (John 18:36). The King of the Jews was rejected by Israel, but there is
As a broader spiritual kingdom that He still ruled.
After the conversation about Jesus’ kingship, Pilate turns to the crowd and asks, “Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?” «But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the Passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews? », (John 18:39). In no uncertain terms, the crowd shouts their answer: “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” (verse 40). Pilate then allows the soldiers to give Jesus a beating, during which they clothe Jesus as a king, mock Him with cries of “Hail, king of the Jews!” and repeatedly slap Him in the face «and said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands. », (John 19:3). After the mockery, Pilate again presents Jesus to the crowd as the King of the Jews: “Here is your king,” he says (verse 14). In response, they shout, “‘Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!’ ‘Shall I crucify your king?’ Pilate asked. ‘We have no king but Caesar,’ the chief priests answered” (verse 15). Their choice had been made, and Jesus, their true king, was led away to be crucified (verse 16).
Some people during Jesus’ ministry recognized Jesus as the King of the Jews. As Jesus neared Jerusalem the final time, the crowd with Him “thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once” «And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. », (Luke 19:11). In other words, they believed Jesus was the King of the Jews, and they were ready to help Him set up the earthly kingdom. Jesus told a parable indicating that the kingdom would be delayed (verses 12–27), but the crowd’s enthusiasm did not wane. As He enUpon entering Jerusalem, Jesus was welcomed as the King of the Jews with shouts of joy: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (verse 38).
God’s people had anticipated a savior ever since God’s initial promise in Genesis 3:15. God Himself united the Hebrews under Moses and assured them that if they followed and obeyed Him, He would bless and lead them (Deuteronomy 11:8-9; 27:9-10). However, the Israelites rejected the Lord as their ruler and insisted on having a human king. “And the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.’” (1 Samuel 8:7, 19) “But the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel. And they said, ‘No! But there shall be a king over us.’” (1 Samuel 8:7, 19). God granted their wish and appointed Saul as the first king of Israel. “And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD told him, ‘Here is the man of whom I spoke to you! He shall reign over my people.’” (1 Samuel 9:17). When Saul disobeyed the Lord, he was rejected by God, and his sons were not allowed to inherit the throne (1 Samuel 15:9-11, 23, 28). Instead, God selected David to be the next king of the Israelites. “And the LORD said to Samuel, ‘How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.’”“https://www.bibliatodo.com/en/bible/king-james-version/1samuel-16-1″>(1 Samuel 16:1). God promised David that his name would be forever associated with the throne of Israel (2 Samuel 7:12-16). Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, David penned the prophetic Psalm 22, which provided Israel with clues about the sufferings their future Messiah and Deliverer would endure. However, in their quest for an earthly king and kingdom, most of the Jews disregarded those prophetic words along with those in Isaiah 53. When Jesus arrived, He fulfilled those prophecies. Crucially, He descended from the royal line of David (Matthew 1:1;John 7:42) and rightfully claimed the title King of the Jews. Yet, because Jesus did not meet their expectations, “his own people did not receive him” «He came unto his own, and his own received him not. », (John 1:11, ESV).
A king is a supreme ruler. When the Jews demanded a king in Samuel’s time, they were rejecting God as their Supreme Ruler «And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. », (1 Samuel 8:7). Due to their stubbornness, He permitted them temporary kings. However, this resulted in bondage and the downfall of their nation, underscoring the truth that what they desired was not what they truly needed. The kingdom became divided after King Solomon’s reign, and both segments eventually succumbed to foreign adversaries. Jerusalem was razed at least twice, first by the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings 25:8-10) and later byThe Romans under Titus in AD 70. The Jews who rejected their true King were scattered among the nations for centuries until 1948.
Isaiah 11 announced that one day a “shoot from the stem of Jesse” (verse 1) would come and set the world to rights. The Jews have long interpreted such prophecies as foretelling an earthly king for Israel. We understand Jesus to be that King; however, God had bigger plans than just an earthly kingdom. He never resigned Himself to Israel’s rejection of His kingship, but rather used their rejection of Him as an opportunity to demonstrate His love for the whole world «For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. », (John 3:16). The Son of God took on human flesh, came in the form of a servant, and showed His people what a real Deliverer was like (Philippians 2:5-11;Mark 10:44).
Because this King of the Jews did not fit the ideas they had cherished for thousands of years, the Jews again rejected the One they needed. Many Jews are still waiting for the wrong kind of king. Revelation 19:16 describes the day when Jesus will return to rule over the earth. At that time, the ancient prophecies of an earthly kingdom of God will be fulfilled, and no one will doubt that Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Every nation, tribe, and tongue will bow to the King of the Jews (1 Timothy 6:14-16;Romans 14:11;Philippians 2:10;Revelation 5:9).
