For centuries, millions of people have seen the four letters INRI above the cross of Jesus in churches, on images, and on crucifixes. It is so ubiquitous that many recognize it, but few know what it actually means and why it was placed there.Far from being a mysterious or esoteric symbol, INRI has a very specific historical origin that connects politics, power, and faith.When Jesus was crucified, the Roman governor Pontius Pilate ordered a sign to be placed above the cross. In the Roman world, this sign was called a titulus and served to publicly indicate the crime for which a person was being executed.

It was not an ornament or a spiritual phrase. It was an accusation.So that everyone could understand it, Pilate ordered the message to be written in three languages:Greek (the international language of the time)Latin (the official language of the Roman Empire)The Latin version is the one that has been recorded in history and in Christian iconography.What does INRI mean?The letters INRI come from the Latin phrase:Which translates as:of Nazareth, King of the JewsThis was not a tribute. For the Romans, calling oneself “king” without the Empire’s authorization was an act of political rebellion. In that context, this title was the official reason for his condemnation.