(Your Church History; Series)
WHAT DOES I.N.R.I. MEAN?
We sometimes see the four letters "I.N.R.I." mentioned. It can be found in Church literature, etc. What do these four letters mean?
THE SUPERSCRIPTION
The Gospels tell us that Pontius Pilate made a Superscription on Yeshuas' cross. There are accounts of this in each Gospel.
We find the full Superscription in John 19:19.
Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews
The Gospels say that this Superscription was written in three languages: Latin, Greek and Hebrew. Here are each:
Latin: IESUS NAZARENVS REX IVDAEORVM
Greek: IESUS NAZORAIOS BASILEUS IOUDAIOS
Hebrew: YESHUA HANATZRI V'MELECH HAYEHUDIIM
The first Superscription, in Latin, IESUS NAZARENVS REX IVDAEORVM, is where we get I.N.R.I. The initials of each word (I.N.R.I.) are used to represent each of the four words in the full title.
I.N.R.I. therefore comes from the Latin.
Actually, the entire sentence was written out by Pilate and not just the four letters or initials.
It appears in early Church documents and on later paintings of the crucifixion. The usage of I.N.R.I. was a reminder to the early Church that Roman law had failed and their Saviour was crucified, but also that through His Resurrection they were now Saved by Faith in Christ and His Sacrifice.
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FOOTNOTES
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