John 19:20 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Many read the inscription, for the place of crucifixion lay near the city, and the words stood in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.
What Does John 19:20 Mean?
Executions were set beside busy roads as a public warning, and Passover had filled Jerusalem with pilgrims. The placard speaks three tongues — the language of Israel's worship, the common speech of the wider world, and the official language of Rome.
Without intending it, the empire publishes the kingship of Jesus to every passerby in a language he can read — a quiet preview of the message soon to go to all nations (Matthew 28:19; Revelation 5:9). From the first afternoon, the cross refuses to remain a local story. "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me" (John 12:32).
Frequently Asked Questions About John 19:20
What does John 19:20 mean?
Many read the inscription, for the place of crucifixion lay near the city, and the words stood in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.