crucfix QUESTION from dan December 17, 2000 Hello, my name is Dan and I would like to know what the INRI stands for on the top of the crucfix. That is from top of the tall part to the cross part. I would really appreciate an answer.
Thank you Dan
ANSWER by Mrs. Suzanne Fortin, B.A. on December 18, 2000 Dear Dan,
The joke is that INRI stands for I'm nailed right in.
No seriously, it stands for Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews. It's a Latin abbreviation of a parchment that Pilate had hung from Jesus' cross in three languages-- Greeak, Hebrew and Latin. (See John 19:19-20). There's no J in Latin, so the I is used, and the Latin word for king is Rex. Jesus was prosecuted on a charge of subversion, and Pilate wanted to publicize the crime for which Jesus was executed. The chief priests told him to write that Jesus said he was King of the Jews, Pilate said what I have written, I have written. Some people interpret that as meaning that he accepted Jesus' kingship. Pilate was not a nice man and he certainly needed conversion.
I thank you for your question.
Please note that I will be out of town from the 23rd of December until the 2nd of January, but I continue to welcome your questions and the opportunity to share my knowledge with you.
Have a Blessed Feast of the Nativity, Suzanne Fortin
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