Golgotha or Calvary: Where Was the Crucifixion?

No one can be absolutely sure of the exact location where Jesus was crucified. But scripture does tell us some details about where it happened.

1.     Called the Place of the Skull

2.     Outside the city walls

3.     People could see it from a distance

4.     People could pass by it

Called the Place of the Skull:

First, why is it sometimes called Calvary and sometimes Golgotha? These names come from two different languages. Both of these words mean the same thing: the Place of the Skull.

Calvary comes from the Latin word calvarius, which means human skull. Most of us are familiar with the word calvary because that is the word used in the King James Translation. When the King James translators came to the words that meant “the Place of the Skull” they translated it as Calvary (an English variation of the Latin word calvarius). Many hymns use the word Calvary.

The word Calvary appears only one time in the King James Version:

“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.”  Luke 23:33.

Most modern translations today do not use the word calvary (the English version of the latin word calvarius which means skull). Most modern translations use “the Place of the Skull”, a literal translation.

For example the same verse, Luke 23:33, in the New American Standard Bible says:

“And when they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.” Luke 23:33.

When Mark wrote his gospel, for the Place of the Skull, he used the Hebrew word Golgotha.

From the King James Version

And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. Mark 15:22

New American Standard Bible:

Then they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull. Mark 15:22.

It isn’t clear exactly why this place of execution was known as The Place of the Skull. Some think the term skull was a symbol of death. Or that there may have been skulls in this place of execution. Others think it refers to a location with a small outcrop of rock that resembled a human skull.

Outside the city walls:

Neither executions nor burials would have taken place inside the city wall of Jerusalem. There is no doubt the Place of the Skull was outside the city wall at the time Jesus was crucified. (Later as the city grew, the location would have been annexed into the city and more walls built.) The place of execution would have been near the city, but not within the walls. Two verses tell us this:  

“Therefore this inscription many of the Jews read, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and in Greek.” John 19:20.

“Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate.” Hebrews 13:12.

People could see it from a distance

For Mary, the mother of Jesus, and His followers, the worst was happening. They were helpless to stop His execution. Yet, He had told them it would happen. His sacrifice was the reason Jesus came into the world.

But it didn’t make it any easier as they watched in horror as Jesus suffered.

They could see the Place of the Skull from a distance:

“And many women were there looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him.” Matthew 27:55.

“And there were also some women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary and mother of James the Less and Joses, and Salome.” Mark 15:40.

“And all His acquaintances and the women who accompanied Him from Galilee, were standing at a distance, seeing these things.” Luke 23:49.

At some point during the long hours as Jesus hung between heaven and earth, His mother came to Him. We are not told what Mary or John said to Jesus-or if they could even say a single word. Speaking during the torture of crucifixion was difficult. But Jesus He had one more thing to say and do to care for His mother.

“Now beside the cross of Jesus stood His mother, His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and MaryMagdalene. So when Jesus saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”  Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own household.” John 19:25-27.

People could pass by it:

Romans wanted the people of Jerusalem to see public executions. They wanted them to know what could happen if they crossed the Empire of Rome. Watching someone die the most torturous death imaginable was an effective deterrent.  

People would have been watching Jesus die.

Gone were the crowds that had shouted “Hosanna Son of David” during Jesus’s Triumphal entry into Jerusalem. In less than a week, the crowds shouted “Crucify Him”.  As Jesus hung on the cross to pay for the sin of all humanity, passers by taunted Him.  

“And those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads, and saying, ‘Ha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days.” Mark 15:29

“And those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads.” Matthew 27:39.

It doesn’t matter if we know the exact place where Jesus paid the sacrifice for our sin. What matters is that He paid it all. Completely, and forever.  

Today two sites are possibilities for the location of the Place of the Skull. One is the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. The other is called “Gordon’s Calvary”.

The following maps are interesting. The first map one shows the two most likely locations of the crucifixion sight-labeled 10 and 11.

The second map shows the roads that led out of Jerusalem. Both sights were near a road where passersby could have seen Jesus.

Balage Balogh (www.Archaeologyillustrated.com)/FreeBibleimages.org.

Same map with location of roads:

Balage Balogh (www.Archaeologyillustrated.com)/FreeBibleimages.org.

Carla Killough McClafferty