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Luke 23:33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
During the time of Jesus there was a place just outside the city of Jerusalem called Calvary, which was the Latin translation of Golgoletha, the Greek rendering for the Hebrew word Golgotha. Calvary was the place where Jesus was crucified. There are two main theories about the word "Golgotha" and how its name originated. The first theory speculates that it was a hill shaped like a human skull. The other theory speculates that it was a place of many skulls, because it was a place where public executions took place often. There is no clear evidence for either theory, nor has it been possible to determine with certainty the exact location of the cucifixion of Jesus. The traditional site of the crucifixion is at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. One other site has been identified known as Gordon's Calvary, because it contains a hillside looking similar to a skull. (Also see Golgotha)
The word Calvary is only found in Luke 23:33, the Latin name Calvaria, which was used as a translation of the Greek word Kranion, by which the Hebrew word Gulgoleth was interpreted, "the place of a skull." It probably took this name from its shape, being a hillock or low, rounded, bare elevation somewhat in the form of a human skull. It is nowhere in Scripture called a "hill." The crucifixion of our Lord took place outside the city walls (Heb. 13:11-13) and near the public thoroughfare. "This thing was not done in a corner." - Easton's Bible Dictionary
Historical Notes
- CAL'VARY (cal-va-ry; Latin Calvaria, Greek Gulgoleth from Hebrew Golgotha "place of a skull").
- There is no mention in Scripture or in ancient history of a "hill" associated with Calvary or Golgotha.
- The Romans delighted in public executions of criminals to show their sovereignty over their provinces.
- In 135 AD The Roman Emperor Hadrian covered the traditional site of Golgotha and Jesus' tomb with a massive pavement. Two centuries later, Constantine removed it and built the first Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
- Many believe that Moriah and Calvary are identical.
- From the 4th century to now the site of Calvary and of the Holy Sepulcher can be seen within the compound of the church of the Holy Sepulcher,
- The church of the Holy Sepulcher was a Crusader construction, built over the location where Constantine's Basilica was constructed.
- Some identify "Gordon's Calvary," as the location of Calvary (Golgotha). It
was located north of the present north wall.
Related Topics: Golgotha, Pontius Pilate, Centurion, Mary, John, Cross.
Picture Study Bible
- Luke 23:33
Ancient
Calvary
Jesus Resources
Read Historical Notes about Calvary in the time of Christ. Background of the Life of Jesus in Harmony. Free Bible presents a Harmony of the Gospels with a historical overview of people, places, monuments and events at the time of Jesus. Includes maps, images and historical notes. The events are recorded in the New Testament during the First Century AD. The events took place in the Second Temple Period. Maps Included.">