Reinscribing The Cross

Matthew 27:37; Mark 15:26; Luke 23:38; John 19:19-22

Works of art by Marc Chagall, Igael Tumarkin, and Moshe Castel
Commentaries by Amitai Mendelsohn

Matthew 27:37; Mark 15:26; Luke 23:38; John 19:19-22

Bible passage (Revised Standard Version)

Matthew 27

37And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus the King of the Jews.”

Mark 15

26And the inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.”

Luke 23

38There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

John 19

19Pilate also wrote a title and put it on the cross; it read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” 20Many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. 21The chief priests of the Jews then said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’ ” 22Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.”