Meaning
lit., "an over-writing" (epi, "over," grapho, "to write") (the meaning of the anglicized Latin word "superscription"), denotes "an inscription, a title." On Roman coins the emperor's name was inscribed, Mat 22:20, Mar 12:16, Luk 20:24. In the Roman Empire, in the case of a criminal on his way to execution, a board on which was inscribed the cause of his condemnation, was carried before him or hung round his neck; the inscription was termed a "title" (titlos). The four Evangelists state that at the crucifixion of Christ the title was affixed to the cross, Mark (Mar 15:26) and Luke (Luk 23:38) call it a "superscription;" Marks says it was "written over" (epigrapho, the corresponding verb). Matthew calls it "His accusation;" John calls it "a title" (a technical term). The wording varies: the essential words are the same, and the variation serves to authenticate the narratives, showing that there was no consultation leading to an agreement as to the details. See further under TITLE.
