What Does INRI Mean and Why Do We Mention It at Easter?

INRI is an often-overlooked element of Easter. Before there was a resurrection day to celebrate, there was a crucifixion. INRI is the phrase written on Jesus’ cross. INRI angered the religious leaders of the day, but it is a confirmation of the truth for believers of every age.

So, what can INRI teach us today?

First, let’s look at the phrase’s meaning and context before discussing how the truth still applies to modern Christians.

What Does INRI Mean in English?

INRI is an acronym for the Latin phrase Iesus Nazarenus Rex ludaeorum, translated as “Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews.”

That phrase appears in the fourth gospel, at the crucifixion:

“And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center. Now, Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” (John 19:17-20)

This title came from Pilate’s interrogation of Jesus and the subsequent confrontation with the religious leaders. When Pilate questioned Jesus, he asked if he was the King of the Jews. Jesus never called himself that, but he told Pilate that he had spoken correctly but that his kingdom was not here. Pilate couldn’t find any crime that Jesus had committed, but the religious leaders made the case that Jesus was committing treason against Caesar by saying he was King of the Jews, so he should be crucified:

“From then on, Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, ‘If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar’s friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.’ . . . And he said to the Jews, ‘Behold your King!’ But they cried out, ‘Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!’ Pilate said to them, ‘Shall I crucify your King?’ The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!’” (John 19:14-15)

Pilate gave in to their demands, but he tried to wash his hands of any guilt in Jesus’ death and gave the order for what should be written on Jesus’ cross.

Matthew Henry’s commentary points out that Matthew’s gospel called the sign on the cross an accusation. Luke called it an inscription, but John used the proper Latin name of “title.” Since the people had used the accusation of treason as the reason for his crucifixion, it makes sense that Pilate would use the title as a means of reproach.

Did the Romans Really Write INRI on the Cross?

Since many medieval Christian churches used Latin (Latin mass, a Latin translation of the Bible called the Vulgate), we may wonder if INRI was what the Romans wrote or a later translation of what they wrote.

John indicates that Pilate—an ancient Roman who would have spoken and written Latin—did have the title “King of the Jews” written in Latin on the cross. In fact, he made sure it was written in several languages:

“Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.” (John 19:20)

Pilate wrote it in almost every language used in that part of the world. Everyone who came through the city spoke or was familiar with at least one of the languages: Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. Because of the use of multiple languages and the place of the crucifixion, more people read the title, which led to reflections and speculations among the multitudes of people passing through the city.

What Did Pilate Mean When He Had INRI Written on the Cross?

The religious leaders were angry with Pilate because they felt the title on the cross should have been worded differently:

“Therefore, the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, ‘Do not write, “The King of the Jews,” but, “He said, ‘I am the King of the Jews.’” Pilate answered, ‘What I have written, I have written.’” (John 19:21-22)

There are a lot of opinions about Pilate’s reasons for writing INRI on the cross. Matthew Henry’s commentary states that Pilate was using it basically as a warning for those who would rebel against Caesar. It could be said that Pilate saw no wrongdoing in Jesus, so he wrote it to get back at the religious leaders with whom he was already in conflict. The Eastern Orthodox church portrays Pilate and his wife, Procla, as believers. Regardless of Pilate’s reasons, God used INRI to make the truth known and to help spread the gospel.

Why Is It Important that Jesus Truly Was King?

We can learn a lot from INRI. While researching this article, I was reminded of a book, The Once and Future King by T. H. White. It is about King Arthur, Camelot, and Excalibur and the prophecy of a king who would unite Britain under one ruler, bringing peace. The Old Testament prophesied a coming Messiah, but Israel had visions of King Arthur coming to unite the Jews under a human king who would defeat their enemies and bring peace to the nation. They were looking for a worldly king, but Jesus told Pilate:

“‘My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.’ Pilate, therefore, said to Him, ‘Are You a king then?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice’” (John 18:36-37)

Jesus Christ, the Messiah, came to save the world, but not as an earthly king. His plan was much higher and reached into eternity. For further reading the importance of the kingly title, check out “What is the Meaning of INRI on Jesus’ Cross?”

What Can INRI’s Meaning Teach Us Today?

There are at least three things we can learn from the title King of the Jews:

1. Jesus was God’s plan for salvation from the beginning. In John 1:1-5, John tells us that Jesus was with God in the beginning and that He was God. God was already our King, but He chose Jesus, holy and without blame, as the means of salvation for the world (Ephesians 1:3-5).

2. Jesus fulfills the prophecy of the Messiah and the covenant. All the prophecies about the Messiah were fulfilled in Jesus, from his birth in Bethlehem to his death as a suffering servant. He is also the fulfillment of the covenant with Abraham and the promise to David that a king of his lineage would always be on the throne. Jesus was a king of Heaven from the foundations of the earth, even if he never took the title on earth.

3. Jesus will come again. Revelation 1:5 tells us that Jesus is king over all kings and that He will return. When He does, every knee will bow to Jesus. He won’t just rule over the Jews but all of creation.

Whether Pontius Pilate believed the words he had written on the cross or if he wrote them as a means of mockery and warning doesn’t change the truth. Jesus is the Truth. Jesus is the King of the Jews. Yet, He is so much more.

God had a plan from the beginning of time with Jesus at the center, and no plans of man or the enemy could change it. Jesus is the once and future king. He is “the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty” (Revelations 1:8). When He comes again, He will bring a new Heaven and a new earth, making creation new again. Then we will have true, everlasting peace because we will be in the presence of Emmanuel, the Prince of Peace, the King of Kings.

For further reading on Pilate and the phrase King of the Jews, check out the following articles:

What Does It Mean That Jesus Is the King of the Jews?

8 Things You Need to Know About Pontius Pilate

What is Pontius Pilate’s Surprising Role in the Easter Story?

Photo Credit: Navicent via Wikimedia Commons

Linda Lyle is a writer, teacher, knitter, and unintentional collector of cats. She has written articles for the Alabama Baptist, Open Windows, Refresh, as well as multiple novels and novellas. Her newest book, 5-Minute Prayer Plan for When Life Is Overwhelming, is set to release in October. She spins yarns on her blog The End of My Yarn at lindalyle.com. 

This article is part of our People from the Bible Series featuring the most well-known historical names and figures from Scripture. We have compiled these articles to help you study those whom God chose to set before us as examples in His Word. May their lives and walks with God strengthen your faith and encourage your soul.

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