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INRI
(Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum)
Inscription
on Jesus’ cross meaning “Jesus of Nazareth, King of
the Jews”
Common clues: Crucifix inscription; Letters at
Calvary; Letters on a crucifix; Cross letters; Letters for Jesus;
Inscription on the cross
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INRI
is a Latin acronym for Iesus
Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum
(English: "Jesus of Nazareth [literally 'Jesus the
Nazarene'], King of the Jews [or 'Judaeans'".)
Some
Eastern Orthodox depictions of the Crucifix have a slight
variation, showing instead the letters INBI, based on the Greek
text of the inscription on the cross, Iésous
o Nazóraios o Basileus tón Ioudaión.
On
certain depictions of the Crucifix, both sculpted and pictoral,
especially as related to Catholicism, one may see a stylized
plaque or parchment, called a Titlulus or Title, or carved
directly into the cross, with the letters INRI just
above(usually) or below the figure of Jesus.
In
the Gospel of John (19:19–20) the inscription is explained:
"Pilate
also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read,
'Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews' (or 'Jesus the
Nazarene, King of the Jews,' depending on Bible version). Many of
the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was
crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in
Latin, and in Greek."
As
Pilate was loath to crucify Jesus without justification, he used
the standing Roman treaty with the Jews which allowed them
limited self-government. When the Jewish priests complained that
Jesus was interfering with that self-rule by holding himself to
possess authority that he lacked, Pilate challenged him to deny
that he was called "King of Jews". Jesus did not deny
the accusation.
Some
believe that the justification for his crucifixion was his claim
to an illegitimate title. However, John 19:21–22 KJV,
alludes that Pilate rejected the charge that Jesus was crucified
because he falsely claimed to be king and instead stated that
Jesus was crucified was because he was
the King of the Jews. Thus, some Christians claim that Pilate was
personally convinced that Jesus was the Jewish Messiah. This is
further corroborated by the Abyssinian Coptic Orthodox Church
Feast of Saint Pontius Pilate on June 25 since early church
histories state that after converting to Christianity, Pilate
himself was martyred by crucifixion.
This
article is licensed under the GNU
Free Documentation License.
It uses material from the Wikipedia
article "INRI".
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