Bible Strands
John 19:20
Many of the Jews read this sign, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Pilate has just ordered a notice affixed to the cross, and the narrative notes that the crucifixion occurred near the city so that the inscription would be accessible to many Jews.
The words — τοῦτον (touton) = "This" [G3778] and ἀνέγνωσαν (anegnōsan) = "read" [G314] directly describe the physical act of observing the posted sign.
The thread — The emphasis on public, multilingual markers in Jerusalem appears in John 5:2, John 19:13, and Acts 21:37.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to recognize that the charge against Jesus was displayed in three languages at a visible location, establishing the claim as a matter of public record rather than hidden doctrine.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.
Cross-references
- John 5:2 Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool with five covered colonnades, which in Hebrew is called Bethesda.
- John 19:13 When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat on the judgment seat at a place called the Stone Pavement, which in Hebrew is Gabbatha.
- Acts 21:37 As they were about to take Paul into the barracks, he asked the commander, “May I say something to you?” “Do you speak Greek?” he replied.
- Acts 21:40 Having received permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the crowd. A great hush came over the crowd, and he addressed them in Hebrew:
- Acts 22:2 When they heard him speak to them in Hebrew, they became even more quiet. Then Paul declared,
- Acts 26:14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice say to me in Hebrew, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
- Revelation 16:16 And they assembled the kings in the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.
- Hebrews 13:12 And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate, to sanctify the people by His own blood.
- Revelation 9:11 They were ruled by a king, the angel of the Abyss. His name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek it is Apollyon.