content="INRI stands for Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum - latin for Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews. Why? ">

Questions? Call 877-9667300 or 571-295-5121

"Amazing BIBLETIMELINE"
"Quickly See 6000 Years of Bible and World History -Together!"

Just added! Like this page? Click the icons!

What do the letters INRI stand for?

Share this article Question: We have a cross hanging on our wall and it has the same letters I've seen on crosses all over the world many times before. But what do they stand for? Above his head they read INRI.

Answer: INRI stands for Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum in Latin, or Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews. John tells us "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 (John 19:19-20 KJV)

It was this charge that the Sanhedrin or Jewish leaders took to Pontius Pilate to force him to turn Jesus over to them for crucifixion. Some people believe that the fact that Pontius Pilate refused to change the inscription to read "he said he was" rather than "he was" implies Pilate believed Jesus was in fact the Messiah.

Bonus Fact: The letter J was not part of the English alphabet until the 16th century so there are no J's in the original King James Bible. (Question for the reader: how did they spell James?)

Share this with your friends

Related Articles

Return to the Bible Questions and Answers Page

Inspirational messages, Bible discoveries in the news and more!
Follow Us!

Check back here for the weekly Bible Question and answer or enter your email below to get it in your inbox.

For People Who Love The Bible!
Free Genealogy of Jesus Christ e-charts and Weekly Bible Q&A

Questions answered by the publishers of
The Amazing Bible Timeline

Quickly See 6000 Years of Bible and World History Together! Learn more...

In His Footsteps Radio Show sponsored by The Amazing Bible Timeline. Tips for living a joy-filled life and amazing interviews with people who do. Listen to In His Footsteps podcasts here.

If You're A Student of the Bible - These Hebrew Webinars are terriffic for learning Biblical Hebrew! (You get invited to FREE webinars when you fill out the form to "get more information" for the paid ones. A great deal!)

Reprint Permission Privacy Policy Contact Us About Us