Why Is Jesus Called "King of the Jews"?

“Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him” (Matthew 2:1-2).

Jesus is referred to as King of the Jews several times throughout Scripture. At the beginning of his earthy life the term is used by Magi from the East, and at the end of his earthly life, it is used again by Pontius Pilate. Of these non-Jews, the former used the term with honor, and the latter with disdain.

He came as the promised Jewish Messiah, and as a true king to lead his people. This title of king holds significance to both Jews and Gentiles, and gives us insight into who Jesus is and why he came to earth to dwell among us. His reign as king was not temporary, but eternal, and his kingdom is not of this earth, but everlasting. 

Where in the Bible Is Jesus Called “King of the Jews”?

“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9).

Jesus is referred to as King in both the New Testament letters and in Old Testament prophecy. Zechariah 9:9 is a foretelling of what we refer to as Palm Sunday, where Jesus rides into Jerusalem in just this way, riding on a donkey, as crowds around him shout Hosanna! This symbolic entrance made it clear that he was taking on the role of Israel’s King, even when there were many who would not accept it. 

Why Is “King of the Jews” Put on Jesus' Cross?

“Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS” (John 19:19).

When Jesus was delivered up to the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, every indication is that the Jewish leaders were using the charge of sedition as a means to have him executed. They argued that Jesus had set himself up as a king, and therefore was aligning himself against Caesar. The interesting thing is that we never read of Jesus calling himself a king. So why is this even an issue that would lead to a dramatic crucifixion? 

Every Jew who knew the Scriptures understood that the actions of Jesus were in themselves fulfillment of prophecy, and by extension he fit the role of the foretold Messiah. To Pilate, it must have seemed absurd that such a man would be considered a king. Jesus was not regal in appearance, did not seek any political position, and lived as an itinerant rabbi. When Pilate questions Jesus, this accusation, and Pilate’s disbelief, are obvious, as he “summoned Jesus and asked him, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ ‘Is that your own idea,’ Jesus asked, ‘or did others talk to you about me?’” (John 18:33-34). 

It is clear that this was the accusation brought to him by the leaders (called the Sanhedrin) and this was the grounds for execution. This accusation is further confirmed in John 19:12 - “From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jewish leaders kept shouting, ‘If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.’”

Jesus never called himself king, but his actions spoke loudly. 

As a result of Pilate’s annoyance with sentencing to death a man who clearly was no political threat, and as an insult to the Sanhedrin, Pilate had this notice nailed to the cross above Jesus’ head. The tragic irony is that what he meant as a jab, an insult, was all too accurate. Jesus was the king that had come to his people to give them life, although many could not see the beauty of who he was. This is foretold in Isaiah 53:3 - “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.”

Yet we know that there were those in the Sanhedrin who did believe in Jesus as the Kingly Messiah. These include Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus as seen in John 19:38-39; “Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.”

Although the Jewish people as a whole have not accepted Jesus as Messiah and King, there is no doubt that a remnant of the people did, and continue to, recognize Jesus as both. 

Is Jesus the King of the Jews?

Jesus is indeed the King of the Jews. He lived his life as a Jewish man, honoring the Ten Commandments and teaching that he did not come to abolish Jewish law, but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). Jesus dearly loves the Jewish people and gave his life so that they might be saved. Throughout history, God chose to work in and through the Jewish people, and this special covenant relationship has been a blessing to every other people group on the earth. As Paul states in Romans 3:2, “the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.”

Among the most compelling support for Jesus as king comes from King David in Psalm 110. Here David writes, “The LORD says to my lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.’ The LORD will extend your mighty scepter from Zion, saying, ‘Rule in the midst of your enemies!’”

This passage establishes that David foresees a future king who is greater than he is, one whom David recognizes as his lord. The Psalm continues in verses 4-5, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” The Lord is at your right hand; he will crush kings on the day of his wrath.” 

This future ruler is not only a king, but also a chief priest. This combination of king and priest over Israel was not something that had ever been established, or ever would be outside of Jesus. 

In Jesus, the Jewish people find a perfect fulfillment of a perfect king and a perfect priest. Unlike earthly rulers, his reign is just, and has no end. Unlike earthly priests, he has no sin. Fortunately for those of us who are not Jewish, the rule and reign of King Jesus is extended to the whole earth. He is King of Israel, and King of all the Earth.

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Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Romolo Tavani

Jason Soroski is a homeschool dad and member of the worship team at matthias lot church in St. Charles, MO. He spends his free time hanging out with his family, exploring new places, and writing about the experiences. Connect on Facebook or at JasonSoroski.net.