INRI

From New World Encyclopedia
Revision as of 07:22, 8 August 2008 by Scott Dunbar (talk | contribs)
The crucified Jesus with the initials INRI above him.

INRI is an acronym of the Latin phrase IESVS·NAZARENVS·REX·IVDÆORVM (Jesus Nazarenus, rex Judæorum), which translates to English as: "Jesus Nazarene, King of the Jews". It appears in the New Testament of the Christian Bible in the Gospel of John (19:19). Each of the other accounts for Jesus's death have a slightly different sign: Matthew (27:37) "This is Jesus the King of the Jews"; Mark (15:26) "The King of the Jews"; and Luke (KJV) "This is the King of the Jews". The title was written in Hebrew and Greek and Latin.

Within Western Christianity many crucifixes and other depictions of the crucifixion include a stylized plaque or parchment, called a titulus or title, bearing only the Latin letters INRI, occasionally carved directly into the cross, and usually just above the head of Jesus.

In the Gospel of John (19:19-20) the inscription is explained:

And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. 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)

Many Eastern Orthodox Churches use the Greek letters INBI based on the Greek version of the inscription, Ἰησοῦς ὁ Ναζωραῖος ὁ Bασιλεὺς τῶν Ἰουδαίων. Some representations change the title to "ΙΝΒΚ" ὁ Bασιλεὺς τοῦ κόσμου ("The King of the World"), or "ΙΝΒΔ" ὁ Bασιλεὺς τῆς Δόξης ("The King of Glory"), not implying that this was really what was written, but reflecting the tradition that icons depict the spiritual reality rather than the physical reality. Some other Orthodox Churches (such as the Romanian Orthodox Church) use the Latin version INRI. The Russian Orthodox Church uses ІНЦІ (the Church Slavonic equivalent of INBI) or the abbreviation Цръ Слвы ("King of Glory").

In Hebrew, the phrase is commonly rendered ישוע הנצרי ומלך היהודים (Yeshua` HaNotsri U'Melech HaYehudim IPA: [jeːʃuːɑʕ hɑnːɑtseri meleχ hɑjːəhuðiːm]), which translates instead to "Jesus the Nazarite and King of the Jews." This version was most probably chosen in order that the acronym constitute the tetragrammaton (יהוה) name corresponding with Yahweh or Jehovah. It is possible that the titulus was written in Aramaic, the local vernacular, rather than Hebrew.

As Pilate was loath to crucify Jesus without justification, he used the standing Roman treaty with the Jews which allowed them limited self-government, see Iudaea Province for details. When the Jewish priests complained that Jesus was interfering with that self-rule by claiming to be the Son of God (see Sanhedrin Trial of Jesus), Pilate challenged him to deny that he was the "King of the Jews". Jesus did not deny the accusation. Pilate's reluctance to crucify Jesus, according to Christian texts, stands in contrast to his willingness to crucify countless thousands of other Jews and Samaritans during his rule.[1]

Some believe that the justification for his crucifixion was his claim to an illegitimate title. However, John 19:21-22, alludes that Pilate rejected the charge that Jesus was crucified because he falsely claimed to be king and instead stated that Jesus was crucified because he was the King of the Jews. Thus, some Christians as early as the second century[2] report that Pilate was convinced that Jesus was the Messiah.

Comparison of Gospel Versions

Mark Luke Matthew John
Verse Mk 15:26 Lk 23:38 Mt 27:37 Jn 19:19-20
Inscription ο βασιλευς των ιουδαιων ουτος εστιν ο βασιλευς των ιουδαιων
HIC·EST·REX·IVDÆORVM
זה ומלך היהודים
ουτος εστιν ιησους ο βασιλευς των ιουδαιων ישוע הנצרי ומלך היהודים
ιησους ο ναζωραιος ο βασιλευς των ιουδαιων
IESVS·NAZARENVS·REX·IVDÆORVM
English translation The King of the Jews This is the King of the Jews This is Jesus, the King of the Jews Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews


Notes

  1. Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, Book XVIII (c. A.D. 94)
  2. Tertullian, Apologeticum c. Gentes, chapter 21 (A.D. 198)

Credits

New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list of acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions by wikipedians is accessible to researchers here:

The history of this article since it was imported to New World Encyclopedia:

Note: Some restrictions may apply to use of individual images which are separately licensed.