23:38a

In Greek, 23:38a begins with two common conjunctions. These conjunctions connect the sign that was placed on Jesus’ cross in 23:38 with what the soldiers said about Jesus in 23:37. The soldiers and also the sign called Jesus “the King of the Jews.” The Roman governor who wrote the sign was also mocking Jesus. He did not believe that Jesus was the king of the Jews. Another way to connect the verses is:

There was also an inscription over him (New Revised Standard Version)

In some languages it may not be natural to use a conjunction. Remember that the Roman governor had already written the sign and attached it before the soldiers mocked Jesus. In some languages it may be natural to translate it as background information.

Connect these verses in a way that is natural in your language.

Above Him was posted an inscription: The clause Above Him was posted an inscription indicates that a sign was attached to the top of Jesus’ cross above his head. John 19:19 indicates that the Roman governor Pilate wrote the sign. It was a Roman custom to put such a sign on a cross to indicate why the person was being crucified. Pilate did not believe that Jesus was the King of the Jews, and the sign was another way to mock Jesus.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

Above him were written these words (Good News Translation)
-or-

⌊Someone⌋ had also written something on a sign and placed it above him
-or-
there was also a message written on a board and nailed to the cross

Above Him: In this context Above Him refers to a place on the cross, above Jesus’ head. When the Romans condemned someone to die on a cross, they wrote his crime on a paper or a piece of wood. When they crucified that person, they nailed the paper or piece of wood above his head on the cross for other people to read. Some other ways to translate Above Him are:

At the top of the cross (New Century Version)
-or-
above Jesus’ head (Translator’s Reference Translation)

was posted:
The phrase was posted introduces the words that were written on the sign above Jesus’ head. Some other ways to introduce them are:

It said (God’s Word)
-or-
The words were
-or-
with these words: (New Living Translation (2004))

Introduce the words on the sign in a natural way in your language.

23:38b

THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS is more literally “the king of the Jews (is) this (one).” It implies that Jesus was crucified because he claimed to be the king of the Jewish people. The word “this” is a disrespectful way to refer to a person. Some other ways to translate this clause are:

This one is the Jews’ king
-or-
THIS IS THE KING OF/OVER THE JEWISH PEOPLE (Translator’s Reference Translation)

Some English versions write these words in capital letters because it was a common way at that time to write inscriptions. If that is not true in your language, you may use small letters, as most English versions do.

There is a parallel passage at John 19:19–21 that gives more information about this written notice.

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