那不勒斯足球俱乐部

Jesus is referred to as the King of the Jews two times in His earthly life: at His birth by the wise men (Matthew 2:2) and at His trial and subsequent crucifixion (Mark 15:2). All four gospels record the words 鈥淜ing of the Jews鈥� as part of 笔颈濒补迟别鈥檚 instructions to the angry mob (Matthew 27:37; Mark 15:9; Luke 23:38; John 19:3) and 笔颈濒补迟别鈥檚 direct address to Jesus (Matthew 27:11; Mark 15:2; Luke 23:3; John 18:33). It is interesting that only non-Jews used this specific title to describe Jesus, underscoring the truth of John 1:11, which says, 鈥淗e came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.鈥�

The title King of the Jews had both messianic and political implications. Kings in Israel were anointed with oil as a sign of God鈥檚 choosing (see 1 Kings 1:39), and the meaning of Messiah is 鈥淎nointed One.鈥� As the Son of David, the Messiah was chosen by God to fulfill the Davidic Covenant and rule on the throne in Jerusalem. When the magi came to Jerusalem seeking the King of the Jews, they most likely had in mind a future political leader, much to King Herod鈥檚 chagrin. But the Jews in Jerusalem, hearing the magi鈥檚 question, would have thought of the long-awaited Messiah.

In Mark 15:32 some mockingly call Jesus the 鈥淜ing of Israel鈥� and associate the title with 鈥淐hrist鈥� (鈥淢essiah鈥�). What they meant as jeering scorn—what kind of king would be hanging on a cross?—was, ironically, the exact truth. Jesus was the King of Israel, and He was on the cross to save them from their sins.

The sign that Pilate posted over Jesus on the cross identified the 鈥渃riminal鈥� in three languages: 鈥淛esus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews鈥� (John 19:19). The Jewish leaders objected to the application of a Messianic title to Jesus: 鈥淒o not write 鈥楾he King of the Jews,鈥� but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews鈥� (verse 21). For reasons he kept to himself, Pilate refused to alter the sign (verse 22), which was another ironic statement of truth.

During the trial of Jesus, Pilate had asked Him, 鈥淎re you the king of the Jews?鈥� (Mark 15:2). Jesus answered, 鈥淚t is as you say鈥� (NASB). Later, Jesus expanded on the idea of His being a king: 鈥淢y kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place鈥� (John 18:36). The King of the Jews was rejected by Israel, but there is a broader spiritual kingdom that He still ruled.

After the conversation about Jesus鈥� kingship, Pilate turns to the crowd and asks, 鈥淒o you want me to release 鈥榯he king of the Jews鈥�?鈥� (John 18:39). In no uncertain terms, the crowd shouts their answer: 鈥淣o, not him! Give us Barabbas!鈥� (verse 40). Pilate then allows the soldiers to give Jesus a beating, during which they clothe Jesus as a king, mock Him with cries of 鈥淗ail, king of the Jews!鈥� and repeatedly slap Him in the face (John 19:3). After the mockery, Pilate again presents Jesus to the crowd as the King of the Jews: 鈥淗ere is your king,鈥� he says (verse 14). In response they shout, 鈥溾�楾ake him away! Take him away! Crucify him!鈥� 鈥楽hall I crucify your king?鈥� Pilate asked. 鈥榃e have no king but Caesar,鈥� the chief priests answered鈥� (verse 15). Their choice had been made, and Jesus, their true king, was led away to be crucified (verse 16).

Some people during Jesus鈥� ministry recognized Jesus as the King of the Jews. As Jesus neared Jerusalem the final time, the crowd with Him 鈥渢hought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once鈥� (Luke 19:11). In other words, they believed Jesus was the King of the Jews, and they were ready to help Him set up the earthly kingdom. Jesus told a parable indicating that the kingdom would be delayed (verses 12–27), but the crowd鈥檚 enthusiasm did not wane. As He entered Jerusalem, Jesus was greeted with shouts of welcome for the King of the Jews: 鈥淏lessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!鈥� (verse 38).

God鈥檚 people had been expecting a deliverer since God first promised one in Genesis 3:15. God Himself unified the Hebrews under Moses and told them that, as long as they followed and obeyed Him, He would bless and guide them (Deuteronomy 11:8–9; 27:9–10). But the children of Israel rejected the Lord as their leader and demanded an earthly king (1 Samuel 8:7, 19). God gave them what they wanted and appointed Saul as the first king over Israel (1 Samuel 9:17). When Saul disobeyed the Lord, he was then rejected by God, and his sons were not allowed to succeed him on the throne (1 Samuel 15:9–11, 23, 28). Instead, God chose David to be the next king of the Jews (1 Samuel 16:1). God promised David that his name would be forever associated with the throne of Israel (2 Samuel 7:12–16). Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, David penned the prophetic Psalm 22, which gave Israel hints about what their future Messiah and Deliverer would endure. But, in their desperation for an earthly king and an earthly kingdom, most of the Jews disregarded those prophetic words as well as the ones in Isaiah 53. When Jesus came, He fulfilled those prophecies. Importantly, He was from the royal line of David (Matthew 1:1; John 7:42) and could rightly take the title King of the Jews, but because Jesus was not what they wanted, 鈥渉is own people did not receive him鈥� (John 1:11, ESV).

A king is a supreme ruler. When the Jews clamored for a king in Samuel鈥檚 day, they were rejecting God as their Supreme Ruler (1 Samuel 8:7). Because of their hard hearts, He allowed them temporary kings. But this led to bondage and their destruction as a nation, highlighting the reality that what they wanted was not what they needed. The kingdom was divided after King Solomon鈥檚 rule, and both parts of the divided kingdom eventually fell to foreign enemies. Jerusalem was destroyed at least twice, once by the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings 25:8–10) and again by the Romans under Titus in AD 70. The Jews who rejected their true King were scattered among the nations for centuries until 1948.

Isaiah 11 announced that one day a 鈥渟hoot from the stem of Jesse鈥� (verse 1) would come and set the world to rights. The Jews have long interpreted such prophecies as foretelling an earthly king for Israel. We understand Jesus to be that King; however, God had bigger plans than just an earthly kingdom. He never resigned Himself to Israel鈥檚 rejection of His kingship, but rather used their rejection of Him as an opportunity to demonstrate His love for the whole world (John 3:16). The Son of God took on human flesh, came in the form of a servant, and showed His people what a real Deliverer was like (Philippians 2:5–11; Mark 10:44).

Because this King of the Jews did not fit the ideas they had cherished for thousands of years, the Jews again rejected the One they needed. Many Jews are still waiting for the wrong kind of king. Revelation 19:16 describes the day when Jesus will return to rule over the earth. At that time, the ancient prophecies of an earthly kingdom of God will be fulfilled, and no one will doubt that Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Every nation, tribe, and tongue will bow to the King of the Jews (1 Timothy 6:14–16; Romans 14:11; Philippians 2:10; Revelation 5:9).