Superscription

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

1: ἐπιγραφή (Strong'S #1923 — Noun Feminine — epigraphe — ep-ig-raf-ay' )

lit., "an over-writing" (epi, "over," grapho, "to write") (the meaning of the anglicized Latin word "superscription"), denotes "an inscription, a title." On Roman coins the emperor's name was inscribed,  Matthew 22:20;  Mark 12:16;  Luke 20:24 . In the Roman Empire, in the case of a criminal on his way to execution, a board on which was inscribed the cause of his condemnation, was carried before him or hung round his neck; the inscription was termed a "title" (titlos). The four Evangelists state that at the crucifixion of Christ the title was affixed to the cross, Mark ( Mark 15:26 ) and Luke ( Luke 23:38 ) call it a "superscription;" Marks says it was "written over" (epigrapho, the corresponding verb). Matthew calls it "His accusation;" John calls it "a title" (a technical term). The wording varies: the essential words are the same, and the variation serves to authenticate the narratives, showing that there was no consultation leading to an agreement as to the details. See further under Title.

Webster's Dictionary

(1): ( n.) That part of a prescription which contains the Latin word recipe (Take) or the sign /.

(2): ( n.) That which is written or engraved on the surface, outside, or above something else; specifically, an address on a letter, envelope, or the like.

(3): ( n.) The act of superscribing.

King James Dictionary

Superscrip'Tion, n. The act of superscribing.

1. That which is written or engraved on the outside, or above something else.

The superscription of his accusation was written over, The King Of The Jews.  Mark 15 .  Luke 23 .

2. An impression of letters on coins.  Matthew 22

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Matthew 27:37 Mark 15:26 Luke 23:38 John 19:19Trial Of Jesus

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

Superscription . See Title, and Money, § 6 .

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

Superscription. —See Title on Cross.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

sū́ - pẽr - skrip´shun ( ἐπιγραφή , epigraphḗ ): (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" (ή ἐπιγραφὴ τῆς αἰτίας ἀυτοῦ , hē epigraphḗ tḗs aitı́as autoú ) ( Mark 15:26 ). Matthew calls it more briefly "his accusation" (τὴν αἰτίαν αὐτοῦ , tḗn aitı́an autoú ) ( Matthew 27:38 ), while Luke styles it merely "a superscription" ( epigraphē ) ( Luke 23:38 ). In the Fourth Gospel it is called a "title" (τίτλον , tı́tlon ) ( John 19:19 ). The text of the superscription is given by the four evangelists in varying terms and with various degrees of fullness.