ContradictionsReading order 416Bible context 2 min read
What did the sign over Jesus's head say?
All accounts preserve the royal accusation, but they give four different wordings for the inscription.
- Textual conflict
- Weak tension
- The alleged conflict needs substantial assumptions, such as treating an omission as a denial or figurative language as literal.
- Importance
- Minor
- A local detail in a story, chronology, or inventory.
Different inscription wordings retain one compatible accusation and can reflect excerpts rather than complete transcriptions.
An editorial assessment of the quoted passages. Importance describes the stakes; it does not increase certainty. Reading order weighs both.
Matthew's inscription names Jesus as king of the Jews
And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Matthew 27:37
Translation / edition: King James Version (KJV)
Read the full chapter:Matthew 27
Mark's inscription gives only king of the Jews
And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Mark 15:26
Translation / edition: King James Version (KJV)
Read the full chapter:Mark 15