John 19:17-22 :
He went out, bearing his cross, to the place called “The Place of a Skull,” which is called in Hebrew, “Golgotha,” where they crucified him, and with him two others, on either side one, and Jesus in the middle. Pilate wrote a title also, and put it on the cross. There was written, “JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” Therefore many 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. The chief priests of the Jews therefore said to Pilate, “Don’t write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘he said, I am King of the Jews.’”
Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”
Here we have John’s record of Jesus’ crucifixion. John records what Pilate wrote on it. To be truly authentic, a depiction of a cross would have a sign on the top of it that says “Jesus of Nazareth, The King of the Jews”. I don’t see many earrings or necklaces like that.
The Jews were pretty sensitive about Pilate’s title for the crime. It expressed Pilate’s belief that Jesus didn’t really commit a crime. It also doubled as an insult against the Jewish leaders. This really highlights mankind’s inability, even at the “best of times” to set up a “good” government.
John notes that “many of the Jews read this title.” John is leaving this fact open for review. This is an interesting evidence that John was not writing a lie. A liar doesn’t set up a way to be exposed. This would be an interesting study. Since the sign was written in three major languages, there may be more written about it in history.
The fact is, Jesus isn’t just the King of the Jews, He’s the King of us all. The Bible says that someday this King will rule the earth and the earth will know peace like it has not known since Adam and Eve. The worries of mankind will be over and even animals will get along with each other. Unlike leaders today, Jesus will know how to solve the world’s problems.
People will continue to mock Jesus until He returns. Then the laughs will be over. Just like they were when the door of Noah’s ship closed.