Ῥωμαϊστί (Rhōmaisti)
Rhōmaisti
in Latin
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adverb Rhōmaisti translates simply to "in Latin." It appears only once in the New Testament, marking the inscription on the cross in John 19:20. This single usage highlights the multilingual reality of first-century Jerusalem, where Hebrew (or Aramaic), Greek, and Latin coexisted as languages of power, faith, and daily life.
The term derives from Rhōmē, meaning Rome. Its presence in John’s Gospel underscores the political weight of Jesus’ crucifixion. By noting that the notice was written in Latin, the text signals that this event was not merely a local Jewish dispute but one under the scrutiny of the Roman Empire, the dominant force of the age.
Translators typically render Rhōmaisti as "in Latin" or "in the Roman language." The word serves as a historical marker rather than a theological concept. It reminds readers that the message of the cross was intended for all people, regardless of their native tongue, standing at the intersection of divine purpose and imperial authority.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word Ῥωμαϊστί simply means "in Latin." It appears only once in the New Testament, recording the language used for the notice placed on Jesus’ cross. This detail grounds our faith in real history. It reminds us that the story of Jesus was not hidden away but was written in the official tongue of the empire, visible to all who passed by.
For your life today, this word shows that God’s message crosses every boundary. It did not stay in one language or for one group of people. The truth about Christ was made clear across cultures and powers. You can trust that the Gospel is meant for everyone, everywhere, no matter where you come from.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- in Latin,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Ῥωμαϊστί,1×
Key Verses
-
John 19:20
Therefore many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek.
This verse records the specific use of Ῥωμαϊστί to describe the Latin text on the cross, highlighting the multilingual nature of the inscription.