ACC ~ John 19 v20

A VERY PUBLIC RECORD

CHRYSOSTOM: He wrote this title not in a single tongue but in three languages. It was likely that there would be a mixed crowd among the Jews because of the feast. And so, in order that no one might be ignorant of the defense, he publicly recorded [1] the charges … in all the languages. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 85.1. [2]

[1] ESUS IS INFORMED THAT LAZARUS IS SICK | JOHN 11:1-5

[2] NPNF 1 14:317**.

THE MOST CONSPICUOUS LANGUAGES OF THE DAY

AUGUSTINE: These three languages were conspicuous in that place beyond all others: the Hebrew because of the Jews who gloried in the law of God; the Greek, because of the wise people among the Gentiles; and the Latin, because of the Romans who at that very time were exercising sovereign power over many, in fact, over almost all countries. TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 117.4. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 7:429*.

THE TITLE IS FULFILLMENT OF PROPHECY

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: It was providential and the fruit of God’s inexpressible purpose that the title was written in three languages: one in Hebrew, another in Latin and another in Greek. For it lay in plain view, proclaiming the kingdom of our Savior Christ in the most widely known of all languages … fulfilling the prophecy that had been spoken concerning him. For the wise Daniel said that there was given him glory and a kingdom and that all nations and languages shall serve him. [1] Similarly the holy Paul teaches us, crying out that “every knee shall bow; of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth. And every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” [2] Therefore the title proclaiming Jesus “king” was, as it were, the true firstfruits of the confession of tongues. [3] COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 12. [4]

[1] Dan 7:14.

[2] Phil 2:10-11.

[3] See Acts 2:1-12.

[4] LF 48:628-29*. See also Augustine Sermon 218.6.