Strong’s Greek 1923 refers to a written inscription or superscription that publicly declares ownership, authority, or accusation. Scripture employs the term in scenes that contrast earthly power with divine sovereignty, inviting readers to discern where ultimate allegiance belongs.

Occurrences in the Gospels

• Matthew 22:20; Mark 12:16; Luke 20:24 – Jesus holds up a denarius and asks, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” The reply “Caesar’s” becomes the basis for His famous directive, “Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
• Mark 15:26 – Over the crucified Christ “the inscription of the charge written against Him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS”.
• Luke 23:38 – “Above Him was posted an inscription: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS”, recorded by Luke as written in three languages (verse 38 continues), underscoring the universal import of the message.

Historical Context of Roman Inscriptions

Roman coinage routinely bore the emperor’s portrait alongside titles that asserted his divinity and dominion. Similarly, a condemned criminal’s charge was inscribed on a board (titulus) affixed to the cross. These practices served propaganda and legal notice, reinforcing Rome’s authority in public spaces.

Theological Significance

1. Authority and Allegiance – By distinguishing between Caesar’s coin and God’s image in humanity, Jesus affirms legitimate civic duty while subordinating it to divine ownership (Genesis 1:27; Matthew 22:21).
2. Christ’s Kingship – The crucifixion inscription, intended as mockery, becomes a prophetic proclamation. What Rome meant as indictment Heaven presents as truth: Jesus is King (Psalm 2:6; Revelation 19:16).
3. Universal Witness – The trilingual wording (Luke 23:38) foreshadows the gospel’s reach “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8), publishing Christ’s royal identity to Jew and Gentile alike.

Ministry Implications

• Christian Citizenship – Believers navigate earthly structures without compromising ultimate loyalty to Christ. The inscription on the coin reminds the church to honor authorities (Romans 13:1) while prioritizing the kingdom (Matthew 6:33).
• Evangelistic Clarity – The placard above the cross supplies a succinct gospel headline. Preaching should retain this clarity: Jesus, crucified yet reigning, is the true King.
• Embodied Epistles – While 1923 concerns physical writing, Paul teaches that the Spirit inscribes Christ on human hearts (2 Corinthians 3:3). Followers become living inscriptions, publicly declaring His lordship through holy conduct and verbal witness.

Connections with the Broader Canon

Old Testament prophecy anticipates an anointed Monarch rejected yet exalted (Isaiah 53; Psalm 22). The New Testament inscription fulfills these prophecies in visible form. Revelation closes the canon with Christ bearing a name written that only He knows (Revelation 19:12) and a title on His robe, “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS,” completing the arc begun on Golgotha’s signboard.

Hence Strong’s 1923, modest in frequency, carries enduring weight: it confronts every generation with the question of whose mark we bear and whose rule we proclaim.