SUPERSCRIPTION.See Title, and Money, § 6.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible
Edited by James Hastings, D.D. Published in 1909
sū́-pẽr-skrip?shun (ἐπιγραφή, epigraphḗ): (1) The legend on a coin designating the person in whose honor or by whose authority it is issued (Mat_22:20; Mar_12:16; Luk_20:24). (2) The accusation on the cross of Jesus (Mar_15:26; Luk_23:38). According to Roman custom an inscription bearing the charge or ground of a criminal's condemnation was fixed to the cross on which he was crucified. The use of such an inscription at the crucifixion of Jesus is mentioned by all four evangelists. The fullest description is that of Mark, ?the superscription of his accusation? (ή ἐπιγραφὴ τῆς αἰτίας ἀυτοῦ, hē epigraphḗ tḗs aitı́as autoú) (Mar_15:26). Matthew calls it more briefly ?his accusation? (τὴν αἰτίαν αὐτοῦ, tḗn aitı́an autoú) (Mat_27:38), while Luke styles it merely ?a superscription? (epigraphē) (Luk_23:38). In the Fourth Gospel it is called a ?title? (τίτλον, tı́tlon) (Joh_19:19). The text of the superscription is given by the four evangelists in varying terms and with various degrees of fullness.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PRINTER 1915.