Pilate also had these words written and put up over the cross--'JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.'
And there he settled in the town of Nazareth, in fulfillment of these words in the Prophets--'He will be called a Nazarene.'
Above his head they fixed the accusation against him written out--'THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.'
The words of the charge against him, written up over his head, ran thus--'THE KING OF THE JEWS.'
And, when people told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing,
Above him were the words--'THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.'
"Rabbi," Nathanael exclaimed, "you are the Son of God, you are King of Israel!"
After that, Pilate went into the Government House again, and calling Jesus up, asked him: "Are you the King of the Jews?"
This made Pilate anxious to release him; but the Jews shouted: "If you release that man, you are no friend of the Emperor! Any one who makes himself out to be a King is setting himself against the Emperor!"
It was the Passover Preparation Day, and about noon. Then he said to the Jews: "Here is your King!"
The Jewish Chief Priests said to Pilate: "Do not write 'The King of the Jews', but write what the man said--'I am the King of the Jews.'"
They kept coming up to him and saying: "Long live the King of the Jews!" and they gave him blow after blow with their hands.
I myself, it is true, once thought it my duty to oppose in every way the Name of Jesus of Nazareth;
But Peter added: "I have no gold or silver, but I give you what I have. In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth I bid you walk."