Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Mark 15:26

"And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS." — Mark 15:26 (ASV)

A wooden board stating the specific charge against a condemned man was commonly fastened on the cross above his head. Over Jesus’ head was placed the inscription “ THE KING OF THE JEWS.” The Gospels do not agree on the precise wording of the inscription, but they all assert that Jesus was crucified on the charge of claiming to be the King of the Jews. For the Romans, this was high treason.