The Real Meaning of INRI
INRI is an abbreviation of the word with the full inscription “Iēsus Nazarēnus, Rēx Iūdaeōrum” Iesvs Nazarenvs Rex Ivdaeorvm is a Latin statement meaning “Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews” in English.
The word inri was supposed to be Jesus Nazarenus, Rex Judeorum but generally, in the ancient Latin Language, the letter Inri was formed from the letter J interchanged with me. That is why it is I.N.R.I., not J.N.R.J.
In the Romans System, a sign or what is called a “titulus” is normally hung above anyone that is crucified to indicate the charges against the person.
There is a piece of wood kept in the church of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme in Rome. This piece of wood is called Titulus Crucis meaning “Title of the Cross”. It was claimed to be the title panel of the true cross on which our Lord Jesus was crucified.
Pontious Pilate was the one who gave this title to Jesus.
The Bible mentions Inri inscription was written in three predominant languages, Latin, Greek, and Hebrew.
“And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” ( Luke 23 verse 38)
INRI was favored in Latin over Greek or Hebrew words for the inscription. The official language of the Roman Empire is Latin. The reason was that the Catholic Church was initially located in the Roman Empire so automatically Latin became the “official” language of the Roman Church. Some often referred to them as the Roman Catholic Church.
What is the Origin of INRI?
INRI as a statement was tagged to the charges against our Lord Jesus Christ when He was crucified on the cross. The statement started from an accusation, turned to mockery but later turned to be a reality and a confirmation of who Jesus truly is.
“Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered him, “Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?”( John 18 verses 33 to 34)
It became a mockery when the soldiers put a crown of thorns on Jesus’s head and beat him with their hands.
“So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe.Then they said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they struck Him with their hands.” ( John 19 verses 1 to 3)
It turned to reality when Jesus accomplished the essence of coming to this sinful world. He came to die for you and me so we can have eternal life.
“After this, Jesus,knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” ( John 19 verses 28 to 30)
Who gave Jesus the title King Of Jews?
Pontious Pilate is the one that gave this title when Jesus was taken to his court. The people could not find any written charge against Jesus, and Pilate could also find anything against Him.
The Jews wanted him to give capital punishment to Jesus but Pilate offered to release Jesus to them as he could not find any fault in him. He asked Jesus “Are you the King of Jews?”
“Pilate then went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?”They answered and said to him, “If He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you.” Then Pilate said to them, “You take Him and judge Him according to your law.” Therefore the Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,” that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which He spoke, signifying by what death He would die. Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” (John 18 verses 29 to 33)
In John 19 verses 21 to 22, Pilate maintained his stand,
“Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘He said, “I am the King of the Jews.” ’ ” Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”
Why Did Jesus Die on the Cross?
Jesus died on the holy cross for the salvation of those who believe. According to the scripture in the prediction by Prophet Isaiah. God put all the iniquities of the whole world upon Him. He was sent to the world to fulfill this divine plan and purpose.
The account of this was given in the book of Revelation 5. This was a great assignment that no one else in heaven and on earth was able to deliver except Jesus.
“And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.” (Revelations 5 verses 1 to 5)
Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah. His death was necessary for the redemption of the world from our sinful nature into eternal life.
“Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying:”
“You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,” (Revelations 5 verses 8 to 9)
John 10 verse 10 also mentions, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
The thief is the devil in disguise. He ripped man of his destiny to be destroyed along with him but Jesus came into the world as a restorer of God’s agenda to humanity.
Reason for Jesus’s Suffering
The suffering of Jesus was not accidental. It was predicted from the Old Testament by Prophet Isaiah.
“He was despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our [h]sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted.” ( Isaiah 53 verses 3 to 4)
We also read in the New Testament when Jesus predicted his death and resurrection by himself. After Peter confessed Him as the Christ, Jesus strictly warned the disciples not to tell anyone the time of his death until the time came. He only revealed Himself to the disciples.
“And He strictly warned and commanded them to tell this to no one, saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.” ( Luke 9 verse 21 to 22)
The principle of using blood for the atonement of sins started in the Old Testament. Sin came into the world by the sin of one man and by one man we are redeemed back to God. Some bible scholars referred to Jesus as the second Adam.
“For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.” ( Leviticus 17 verse 11)
There cannot be shedding of the blood without suffering. The suffering of Jesus was severe. It was physical and emotional. No one else could bear what our Lord Jesus bore for us. What a merciful Lord!
Psalm 22 verses 13 to 18 gives an account of the suffering.
They gape at Me with their mouths,
Like a raging and roaring lion.
I am poured out like water,
And all My bones are out of joint;
My heart is like wax;
It has melted within Me.
My strength is dried up like a potsherd,
And My tongue clings to My jaws;
You have brought Me to the dust of death.
For dogs have surrounded Me;
The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me.
They pierced My hands and My feet;
I can count all My bones.
They look and stare at Me.
They divide My garments among them,
And for My clothing they cast lots.
It is the same reason He was called the Lamb of God. The good news is the slaying of the lamb has brought us unimaginable benefits today as children of God.
“saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!” ( Revelation 5 verse 12)
Jesus was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes, we are healed.
The profound significance of the inscription INRI relates to Jesus as the true king. The protestants today invest so much in spreading the good news of salvation all around the world. Some religious denominations use the initials inri ( ievs nazarenvs rex ivdaeorvm) as a Christian symbol today.
The meaning of INRI as Jesus of Nazareth King of Jews should be changed to Jesus the King of the whole world.