Title

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

Title (  John 19:19-20 ). The ordinary term for the ‘ superscription , consisting usually of the name of the criminal and the crime with which he was charged (  Mark 15:26 ), written on a board, which, according to Roman practice, was carried in front, or hung from the neck of a prisoner as he was led through the streets of the city to execution, or exposed for punishment. In cases of crucifixion the inscription was often fastened above the head of the criminal (  Matthew 27:37 ). This public announcement was intended to serve as a warning to evil-doers.

The four inscriptions on the cross of Jesus mentioned in the Gospels are different, though the words ‘the King of the Jews’ ( Mark 15:26 ) are common to all, and truly set forth the charge on which Jesus was formally condemned. Mt. (  Matthew 27:37 ) adds, ‘this is Jesus’; Lk. (  Luke 23:38 ), ‘this (is)’; and Jn. (  John 19:19 ) ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ The variations may be partly explained by the statement of Jn. that the inscription (like Roman edicts which also were often published in both Latin and Greek) was written in Hebrew, i.e. Aramaic (which was spoken ordinarily by the people of Jerusalem and the pilgrims from Palestine), Latin (the official language), and Greek (the lingua franca of the world). The Evangelist sees, in this announcement in the three languages of the Roman Empire, a symbol of the proclamation to the world of the Messiahship of Jesus, notwithstanding the efforts of the Jews to cover Him with ignominy. Jn. alone implies that Pilate took revenge on the Jews in preparing the inscription; Mt. and Mk. seem to suggest that the soldiers themselves placed the inscription on the cross, and crucified Jesus between two robbers in order to heighten the insult.

R. A. Falconer.

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

1: Τίτλος (Strong'S #5102 — Noun Masculine — titlos — tit'-los )

from Latin titulus, is used of the inscription above the Cross of Christ,  John 19:19,20 . See Superscription.

2: Κεραία (Strong'S #2762 — Noun Feminine — keraia | kerea — ker-ah'-yah )

"a little horn" (keras, "a horn"), was used to denote the small stroke distinguishing one Hebrew letter from another. The rabbis attached great importance to these; hence the significance of the Lord's statements in  Matthew 5:18;  Luke 16:17 , charging the Pharisees with hypocrisy, because, while professing the most scrupulous reverence to the Law, they violated its spirit. Grammarians used the word to denote the accents in Greek words.

Webster's Dictionary

(1): ( n.) The instrument which is evidence of a right.

(2): ( n.) That by which a beneficiary holds a benefice.

(3): ( n.) The panel for the name, between the bands of the back of a book.

(4): ( n.) A church to which a priest was ordained, and where he was to reside.

(5): ( n.) That which constitutes a just cause of exclusive possession; that which is the foundation of ownership of property, real or personal; a right; as, a good title to an estate, or an imperfect title.

(6): ( n.) An appellation of dignity, distinction, or preeminence (hereditary or acquired), given to persons, as duke marquis, honorable, esquire, etc.

(7): ( n.) A name; an appellation; a designation.

(8): ( n.) A section or division of a subject, as of a law, a book, specif. (Roman & Canon Laws), a chapter or division of a law book.

(9): ( n.) To call by a title; to name; to entitle.

(10): ( n.) The inscription in the beginning of a book, usually containing the subject of the work, the author's and publisher's names, the date, etc.

(11): ( n.) An inscription put over or upon anything as a name by which it is known.

King James Dictionary

TI'TLE, n. L. titulus. This may belong to the family of Gr. to set or put.

1. An inscription put over any thing as a name by which it is known. 2. The inscription in the beginning of a book, containing the subject of the work, and sometimes the author's name. 3. In the and canon laws, a chapter or division of a book. 4. An appellation of dignity, distinction or pre-eminence given to persons as duke, marquis and the like. 5. A name an appellation.

Ill worthy I such title should belong

To me transgressor.

6. Right or that which constitutes a just cause of exclusive possession that which is the foundation of ownership as a good title to an estate or an imperfect title. The lowest degree of title is naked possession, and lastly the right of property, all which united complete the title.

But possession is not essential to a complete title. A title to personal property may be acquired by occupancy. A claim is not a title.

7. The instrument which is evidence of a right. 8. In the canon law, that by which a beneficiary holds a benefice. This is true and valid, or colorable. A valid title gives a right to the benefice. A colorable title appears to be valid, but is not. 9. In ancient church records, a church to which a priest was ordained, and where he was to reside.

TI'TLE, To name to call to entitle.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

tı̄´t ' 50  :   John 19:19 ,  John 19:20 for τίτλος , tı́tlos .

The following arrangement of the title on the cross has been suggested:

Border >

ע נ

ρ Ο2 ΟΨΤΟΞπ ρ Ο2 ΕΞΤΙΝπ ρ Ο2 ΙΗΞΟΨΞπ ρ Ο2 Οπ ρ Ο2 ΒΑΞΙΛΕΨΞπ

ρ Ο2 ΤΩΝπ ΙΟΨΛΑΙΩΝ

Rex Judaeorum

See Geikie, Life and Words of Christ , chapter lxiii, note e; Seymour, The Cross in Tradition, History and Art (New York, 1898), pp. 115,116, 136,138.

In  2 Kings 23:17 , the King James Version has "title" for ציּוּן , ciyyūn . The word is connected with cāwāh , "to command," and King James Version seems to have understood ciyyūn as "that giving directions," "sign-posts" (compare  Ezekiel 39:15 ). The word, however, means "grave-stone," "monument." See Superscription .

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

is the rendering in the A.V. of ציּוּן Tsiyun, A Pillar or cippus set up as a sepulchral sign,  2 Kings 23:17 , or as a "waymark,"  Jeremiah 31:21; "sign,"  Ezekiel 39:15; and of Τίτλος , Lat. Titulus, a tablet with a Superscription ( John 19:19-20), set up by Pilate over Christ's cross (q.v.).