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 (Matthew 22:20; Mark 12:16; Luke 20:24). (2) The accusation on the cross of Jesus (Mark 15:26; Luke 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) (Luke 15:26). Matthew calls it more briefly "his accusation" (ten aitian autou) (27:38), while Luke styles it merely "a superscription" (epigraphe) (Luke 23:38). In the Fourth Gospel it is called a "title" (titlon) (John 19:19). The text of the superscription is given by the four evangelists in varying terms and with various degrees of fullness.

Russell Benjamin Miller

From the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Edited by James Orr, published in 1939 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.