When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Matthew 27:35–37
When the Magi, or Wise Men, as most refer to them, were looking for Jesus sometime well after His birth, they called Him the King of the Jews (Matthew 2:1–2). Today, we are going to look at this title given to Jesus that appears in all four Gospel accounts (Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 22–23; John 19). The Passover meal was complete. Judas’ betrayal plot was in full motion, and so was Peter’s denial. Jesus had been interrogated by the Sanhedrin, Herod, and Pilate. Now, He was in the hands of a company of soldiers with ill intent.
Jesus was stripped and beaten by the soldiers. They did the equivalent of what we call “playing dress-up” today and made Him to look like royalty. They clothed Christ in a robe, put a crown of thorns on His head, and placed a staff in His hand. They mocked Him and said, “Hail, king of the Jews”. Then they stripped Him of the robe, spat on Him, and took the staff and beat Him with it.
Later, this title was given again to Jesus via a sign that was placed above His head on the cross. It was customary during this time to write the charges against a condemned person on a wooden board that accompanied them to their execution. This placard was written in Aramaic, Latin, and Greek to make sure that everyone who saw it knew why He was dying. The chief priests didn’t take to this wording well, as they wanted it to read only that Jesus claimed to be king, not that He actually was King. Pilate refused to change it, though. What Pilate meant as a mockery was a true title—and then some. He was and is and is to come, the King.
Jesus may have been labeled King of the Jews upon His death, but He died for the sins of the world. As a result, we are engrafted into God’s family tree (Romans 11:11–24). We are one in Jesus, and we are children of God (Galatians 3:26–29).
One day, the King will return to establish His kingdom forever. In Revelation 11:15, the seventh trumpet is blown and heaven proclaims: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.” Let us agree with John as he closed this final book (22:20) and look forward with anticipation to the King’s triumphant and final return: “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus”.