Dictionaries :: Superscription

International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia

Superscription:

su-per-skrip'-shun (epigraphe):

(1) The legend on a coin designating the person in whose honor or by whose authority it is issued (Mt 22:20; Mr 12:16; Lu 20:24).

(2) The accusation on the cross of Jesus (Mr 15:26; Lu 23:38). According to Roman custom an inscription bearing the charge or ground of a criminal's condemnation was fixed to the cross on which he was crucified. The use of such an inscription at the crucifixion of Jesus is mentioned by all four evangelists. The fullest description is that of Mark, "the superscription of his accusation" (he epigraphe tes aitias autou) (15:26). Matthew calls it more briefly "his accusation" (ten aitian autou) (27:38), while Luke styles it merely "a superscription" (epigraphe) (23:38). In the Fourth Gospel it is called a "title" (titlon) (Joh 19:19). The text of the superscription is given by the four evangelists in varying terms and with various degrees of fullness.

Written by Russell Benjamin Miller

King James Dictionary

Superscription: Inscription; Title; a Writing Over.

Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and SUPERSCRIPTION? And they said unto him, Caesar's. (Mark 12:15-16)

Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words

Superscription:

lit., "an over-writing" (epi, "over," grapho, "to write") (the meaning of the anglicized Latin word "superscription"), denotes "an inscription, a title." On Roman coins the emperor's name was inscribed, Mat 22:20; Mar 12:16; Luk 20:24. In the Roman Empire, in the case of a criminal on his way to execution, a board on which was inscribed the cause of his condemnation, was carried before him or hung round his neck; the inscription was termed a "title" (titlos). The four Evangelists state that at the crucifixion of Christ the title was affixed to the cross, Mark (Mar 15:26) and Luke (Luk 23:38) call it a "superscription;" Marks saysit was "written over" (epigrapho, the corresponding verb). Matthew calls it "His accusation;" John calls it "a title" (a technical term). The wording varies: the essential words are the same, and the variation serves to authenticate the narratives, showing that there was no consultation leading to an agreement as to the details. See further under TITLE.