King by Title vs. King by Nature: The Two Words for Royalty 👑
When Jesus was crucified, the inscription placed over His head read: “JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS” (John 19:19). The Gospel of John uses two distinct Greek words for “King” that clarify the tension between the Roman political accusation and Christ’s intrinsic identity.
1. King by Political Office: Basileus (βασιλϵυˊς)
- Meaning: This is the common Greek word for a ruler, monarch, or king who holds political office and commands an army or kingdom.
- Theological Focus: Basileus describes the external, political title. This is the word used in the inscription the Romans posted: “I have written what I have written,” asserting a political and legal claim over the Jewish people that Rome would not change.
- Key Use: This is the word used by the Magi when they sought the “King of the Jews” (Matthew 2:2) and by the crowds demanding a king (John 1:49).
2. King by Intrinsic Nature: Archēgos (αρχηγoˊς)
- Meaning: This word means “chief leader,” “pioneer,” “source,” or “originator.” It is often translated as “Author” or “Founder.”
- The Shocking Tie: While Christ is rarely directly called Archēgos in the gospels, the title is applied to Him three times in the Book of Acts and Hebrews:
- He is the Archēgos of Life (Acts 3:15).
- He is the Archēgos and Savior (Acts 5:31).
- He is the Archēgos and Perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).
The subtle truth is this: while Pilate’s inscription correctly used the term Basileus (King by title) as a political accusation, Christ’s true authority—His intrinsic, eternal right to lead and originate all things—is captured by the title Archēgos.
3. The Eschatological Conclusion
The final Return of Christ is the moment the distinction collapses:
- The Basileus (the political title) is finally and eternally applied when He returns to establish His physical throne in the New Jerusalem.
- The Archēgos (the intrinsic identity) is revealed when He brings about the New Heavens and New Earth—the ultimate creative act of the Author.
The title over the cross was an earthly accusation, but the final, eternal reality is that He is the Source, Leader, and Ruler of all existence.
The Return Question
If the final reality is that Christ is the Archēgos (the Author and Source of your faith), what specific part of your spiritual life are you treating as a self-made Basileus (a self-governed kingdom), instead of submitting it to the ultimate authority of the Originator?