"an inscription; a legend of a coin, Mt. 22:20; Mk. 12:16; Lk. 20:24; a label of a criminal’s name and offence, Mk. 15:26; Lk. 23:38*"
Definition and meaning
an inscription; a legend of a coin, Mt. 22:20; Mk. 12:16; Lk. 20:24; a label of a criminal’s name and offence, Mk. 15:26; Lk. 23:38*
In the original Greek the word is written: ἐπιγραφή
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of epigraphe (G1923) across the King James Bible.
And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?
And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's.
And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's.
And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
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Common questions
Strong's G1923 (epigraphe) is a Greek word that means: an inscription; a legend of a coin, Mt. 22:20; Mk. 12:16; Lk. 20:24; a label of a criminal’s name and offence, Mk. 15:26; Lk. 23:38* It appears 5 times in the King James Bible.
The word epigraphe (G1923) appears 5 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1923 is epigraphe, a Greek word defined as: an inscription; a legend of a coin, Mt. 22:20; Mk. 12:16; Lk. 20:24; a label of a criminal’s name and offence, Mk. 15:26; Lk. 23:38*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
epigraphe is a Greek word found in the New Testament.