Bible Dictionaries
Superscription

Holman Bible Dictionary

Usually the Romans identified a person's crime by writing it on a wooden sign, carrying it before the condemned person, and finally nailing it to their cross. All four Gospels mention such a superscription (Matthew 27:37; Mark 15:26; Luke 23:38; John 19:19 ) being nailed over Jesus' head. However, they do not speak of the sign being carried before Jesus as He walked to the place of crucifixion. Superscription is also used for the titles of some psalms giving information concerning the writer and the context of the psalm. See Cross, Crucifixion; Psalms; Trial of Jesus .