# What does INRI mean? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 21, 2000, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-inri-mean/30194 "2000-08-21T18:59:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JamesCarroll](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@JamesCarroll](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JamesCarroll)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2000, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-inri-mean/30194/1 "2000-08-21T18:59:11Z")
I always see in on top of Jesus’s crucifix, but I have no idea what it means. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2000, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-inri-mean/30194/2 "2000-08-21T19:12:14Z")
From Merriam Webster Main Entry: INRI Function: abbreviation Etymology: Latin _Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum_ Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews ---
**Author:** ![Hokienautic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/73ab20/32.png) [@Hokienautic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hokienautic)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2000, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-inri-mean/30194/3 "2000-08-21T19:15:16Z")
Do not read if religious jokes offend you. FYI, I’m Catholic, and this made the rounds at the Catholic school I went to. INRI = I’m Nailed Right In. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2000, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-inri-mean/30194/4 "2000-08-21T19:15:39Z")
According to, IIRC, the Gospel of St. John, Pontius Pilate had that posted above Jesus while he was being crucified. The abbreviation is a lot easier for artisans to make. ---
**Author:** ![panamajack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/47e85d/32.png) [@panamajack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panamajack)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2000, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-inri-mean/30194/5 "2000-08-21T19:21:20Z")
It might help to know why that particular inscription is used : (from KJV, emphasis in original) John 19:19 And Pilate wrote a title, and put [it] on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. [sup]20[/sup] This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, [and] Greek, [and] Latin. [sup]21[/sup] Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. [sup]22[/sup]Pilate answered, What I have written I have written. panama jack ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2000, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-inri-mean/30194/6 "2000-08-21T19:31:46Z")
Woo Hoo! I remembered the right gospel!!! ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2000, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-inri-mean/30194/7 "2000-08-21T20:36:42Z")
Gosh, I thought it was from the famous song: I’m INRI the Eighth I am INRI the Eighth I am, I am ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2000, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-inri-mean/30194/8 "2000-08-21T20:40:58Z")
I got married to the widow next door. She’s been married seven times before. I love that song. ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2000, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-inri-mean/30194/9 "2000-08-21T22:24:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by CKDextHavn \* > \*\*Gosh, I thought it was from the famous song: > > I’m INRI the Eighth I am > INRI the Eighth I am, I am > > \*\* BWAHAHAHAHAHA! Man, you get all the zingers, CD.