The Conflict with Religious Leaders
Jewish religious authorities objected strongly to the wording. They did not want the sign to imply that Rome recognized Jesus as king. Instead, they demanded it be changed to:
“This man said, ‘I am the King of the Jews.’”
Pilate refused.
According to the Gospel account, he replied with words that have echoed through history:
“What I have written, I have written.”
And the inscription remained unchanged.
