Most interesting that Pontius Pilate chose Greek before Latin
by
Damien F. Mackey
“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”.
John 19:20
Perhaps in accord with my view that Jesus Christ was born into an
Hellenistic (Maccabean) - and not early Roman imperial - era:
A New Timetable for the Nativity of Jesus Christ
Pontius Pilate’s inscription about Jesus was written in Greek, before
Latin.
Thus we read: http://www.therain.org/appendixes/app163.html
THE INSCRIPTIONS ON THE CROSS.
Appendix 163 To The Companion
Bible.
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Each of the four Gospels gives a
different wording of these inscriptions:—
1. Matthew 27:37: "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews."
2. Mark 15:26: "The King of the Jews." 3. Luke 23:38: "This is the King of the Jews." 4. John 19:19: "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews."
Here again the difficulty is created by assuming
that these similar but differing records are identical, without
noticing the exact words which are written. It is universally assumed that
there was only one, and then follow the efforts to explain the alleged
"discrepancies" between the different versions of it.
If we note carefully what is actually said all will be clear.
I.
Mark 15:26 can be dismissed; for he does not say anything
about a "title" (Greek titlos, John 19:19) being put on the cross or anywhere else, which any
one had seen. It is a question of the Lord's "accusation" or
"indictment", or the ground or cause of His condemnation as
claiming to be "the King of the Jews".
II.
John 19:19 speaks of a "title" written by
Pilate, before it left Pilate's presence; for no one suggests that
Pilate went to the scene of the execution and wrote anything there.
In Pilate's writing the three languages were in this order: (1) Hebrew, (2) Greek, and (3) Latin (compare IV. below). And it was read after the cross had been set up. This was the one which gave rise to the argument between the Chief Priests and Pilate (John 19:21, 22); and this argument took place before the parting of the garments (verses 23, 24).
III. The inscription in Matthew
27:37 was the result of that
discussion; for another "title" was brought and was "set up
over his head", after they had "parted His garments,"
and having sat down, they watched Him there (verses 35, 36).
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As there could hardly have been two
titles at the same time, the former must have been then taken down and the
other substituted.
We are not told how long the argument lasted or when it ceased, or what was the final result of it.
IV. A further result is seen in
Luke 23:38; for another was brought
much later, close upon "the sixth hour" (verse 44), when the darkness fell. It was written with the
languages in a different order: (1) Greek, (2) Latin, and (3) Hebrew (verse
38).¹ It was put up "over
Him" (Greek ep' auto, verse 38), "after the revilings of the People"
(compare verses 35-37, with verse
38); whereas Matthew's (Number III) was
set up before the revilings (compare Matthew 27:37 with verse 39).
The result is that:—
1. Mark's was only His indictment.
2. John's was the first, written
by Pilate himself (or by his order), in (1) Hebrew, (2) Greek, and (3) Latin,
and was put on the cross before it left Pilate's presence.
3. Matthew's was the second,
substituted for the first, in consequence of the arguments which took place,
and was set up "over His head" after the garments had been
divided, and before the revilings.
4. Luke's was the third (and
last), put up "over Him", after the revilings (Luke 23:35), and was seen just before the darkness of the
"sixth hour" (verse 44).
This was written in three languages, but in a different order:¹ (1) Greek,
(2) Latin, and (3) Hebrew (verse 38).
Not in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin, as Number II in John 19:19.
Thus, such differences as these are marks of Divine
accuracy; and, instead of being sources of difficulties, become, when rightly
divided, the means of their removal.
____________________________ ¹ But see the texts. |
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