Luke 23:38

And there was also a superscription over him, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Harrison said that "The full inscription was probably: THIS IS JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS."[21] Of course, this is most certainly correct, being a composite of what all four of the sacred Gospels have recorded. For a fuller discussion of this, see my Commentary on Matthew, Matthew 27:37.

The notion that Pilate believed, even in the slightest degree, that Christ was a claimant of Caesar's throne, is rejected, absolutely. As Geldenhuys succinctly expressed it:

We know that Pilate was thoroughly conscious of the fact that Jesus laid no claim to kingship (in an earthly sense); and it is certain that by means of this superscription he revenged himself on the Jews and was not mocking Jesus.[22]

However, the inscription, intended by its author as a sadistic joke on the Sanhedrin, was another instance of the wrath of man praising God; because it was highest truth that Jesus of Nazareth was King of the Jews, the only rightful king they ever had, even the ancient monarchy being contrary to God's will (1 Samuel 8:6-9).

[21] Everett F. Harrison, Wycliffe Bible Commentary (Chicago Moody Press, 1971), p. 270.

[22] Norval Geldenhuys, Commentary on the Gospel of Luke (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1951), p. 610.