Charles Spurgeon Commentary Luke 23:38

"And there was also a superscription over him, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS." — Luke 23:38 (ASV)

And a superscription also was written over him in the letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

John tells us that Pilate wrote this title, and that the chief priests tried in vain to get him to alter it. It was written in the three current languages of the time, so that the Greek, the Roman, and the Jew might all understand who he was who was thus put to death.

Pilate did not know as much about Christ as we do, or he might have written, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS, AND OF THE GENTILES, TOO.

THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

And so he is, and so he shall be. He has never left the throne.

The Son of David is still King of the Jews, though they continue to reject him; but the day shall come when they shall recognize and receive the Messiah. Then shall they look upon him whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew,

These were the three languages that could be understood by all the people in the surrounding area.