Biblical Context: Golgotha
DB Ryen
Golgotha is derived from the Hebrew or Aramaic term for “skull place.” The Latin equivalent is Calvaria, where the term “Calvary” comes from.
Length: Very short, 210 words
So they bring him to a place called Golgotha, which means “Skull Place” in Hebrew. And they tried to give him wine mixed with myrrh, but after tasting it, he wouldn’t drink any.
They crucify him at the third hour.
– The Story of Jesus 34.1
[Adapted from Mt 27:33]
Golgotha is derived from the Hebrew or Aramaic term for “skull place.” The Latin equivalent is Calvaria, where the term “Calvary” comes from. Presumably, Golgotha was where the vertical stakes of crosses for crucifixion were permanently located, while horizontal crossbeams were temporarily affixed (with the victim nailed to it) for executions as they arose. Its exact location is unknown, but tradition holds that it was on a hill just west of Jerusalem, beside major highways. Archeologists have discovered evidence of an abandoned rock quarry from the first century in the same area, with tombs cut into the bottom of the cliff faces. The name Golgotha may also originate from an outcropping of rock shaped like a skull, or simply from the numerous executions that occurred there and abandoned skulls that could potentially be found. It may also refer to the buried bones of a cemetery nearby. Rome had a similar location reserved for executions just outside its Porta Esquilina.
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No Roman citizen could be crucified, as it was considered too agonizing and disgraceful. In fact, the pain of crucifixion was so terrible that a new word – excruciating (“out of the cross”) – was used to describe it.
Although "gospel" has come to refer to the story of Jesus’ life, its meaning during the first century was much broader, specifically it meant good news for a kingdom in various ways.
