Written by Paul J Bucknell on October, 19, 2023
Golgotha and Calvary: Where was Christ Jesus crucified—at Golgotha or Calvary?
When considering whether Jesus was crucified at Golgotha or Calvary, we must examine the meanings of these words in the Bible.
Golgotha in the Bible
A Bible word search shows us Golgotha is used three times in the Bible, all in the Gospels. See below (NASB used).
Matthew 27:33
“And when they came to a place called Golgotha, which means Place of a Skull”
Mark 15:22
“Then they *brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull.”
John 19:17
“They took Jesus, therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha.”
The NET Bible on Mathew 27:33 explains why the term Golgotha was used (footnote 58):
“A place called Golgotha (which means “Place of the Skull”). This location is north and just outside of Jerusalem. The hill on which it is located protruded much like a skull, giving the place its name.”
The word Golgotha is a Hebrew term but written in Greek. The word Golgotha means ‘skull’ as Mark 15:22 clearly articulates: “Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull” (cf. John 19:17).
Golgotha, the localized name for this rock hillside, looked like a skull. It still does, as the above graphic shows. The Romans hung Jesus and two others with Him on their crosses at the top of Golgotha. The local Aramaic (Hebrew) term, that is, its pronunciation, Golgotha, was transliterated into Greek letters here. All the other English translations for Matthew 27:33 use Golgotha.
Calvary in the Bible
The word Calvary, an English term referring to where Jesus was hung on the cross, is often used in English depictions of the cross, such as in hymns (e.g., Burdens are Lifted at Calvary).
Where does the term Calvary come from? How is it related to Golgotha? The Bible search engine found four passages for ‘Calvary.’ Three of them are the same as the Gospel verses above. However, if you look closely at them below, the word ‘Calvary’ is not used in these verses or the Bible at all. Instead, we find the ‘Place of a Skull’ (NASB).
Matthew 27:33
“And when they came to a place called Golgotha, which means Place of a Skull”
Mark 15:22
“Then they *brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull.”
Luke 23:33
“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.”
John 19:17
“They took Jesus, therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha.”
So why does the Bible search turn up these verses for ‘Calvary’ when the word ‘Calvary’ is not used?
The Skull and Calvary
Doubtless, the original question derives from this confusion—the term Calvary is not in the Bible. So, where did Calvary become connected with Golgotha?
As we look closely, we find this is again a translation issue. The above footnote continues: “(kranion) is calvaria, from which the English word “Calvary” is derived (cf. Luke 23:33 in the KJV).
The Greek word for skull is cranium, but some later English translations don’t use the original Greek but the Latin. Calvary is transliterated from Latin (calvaria). There are four languages here: Aramaic (Hebrew), Greek, Latin, and English. Calvary, the English term, was derived much later on.
When I looked up Luke 23:33, about 9 English translations used ‘calvary’ instead of ‘skull,’ probably because these translations followed the King James Bible translation: “And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary,” one of the earlier English Bible translations (c. 1611). The Bible literally states:“the place of the skull” in Greek, but the early English translators used Calvary because of familiarity. We must remember the Latin Bible, the Vulgate, with calvaria, greatly influenced the early English translations.
Our Bible search did not initially find Calvary because we searched the NASB version, not the King James. This reminds us of the importance of cross-references and observing other people’s discoveries.
Summary
The mystery is clarified. Calvary is an English term, transliterated from the Latin for skull—the Hebrew term for that skull-looking hillside where they crucified Jesus.
A fantastic video provides a startling visual picture of Golgotha (link below). Although time has eaten away at the skull etched into the hillside underneath where they hung Jesus on the cross, it can still be seen two thousand years later.
Study Questions on Golgotha and Calvary
- What is the original question? Can you answer it before this article?
- Search ‘Golgotha’ in the Bible and list your results.
- Search ‘calvary’ in the Bible and list your results.
- What does Golgotha mean?
- Why did people call that place Golgotha?
- Look at one of the two videos depicting the location where many think Jesus died and its rocky hillside.
- Why did the author find the word ‘calvary’ in his Bible search? Did you?
- Where does the term ‘calvary’ come from?
- Explain the connection between Golgotha, the cross, and Jesus’ death.
- 10.How important does what happened on Golgotha influence your life and salvation?
Other Resources by Paul Bucknell on Golgotha
Gospel of John 19:17-30 Bible Study Questions
17 They took Jesus therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha. 18 ...
The Godly Leader Accepts God's Design for His Life: Isaiah 52:13 ...
Jesus, however, set His mind on the cross and refused to bypass the tragic hill named Golgotha. If His goal were a mere title or known ...
MGL2 God's Design for His Life Isaiah 52:13-15 | Biblical ...
Jesus, however, set His mind on the cross and refused to bypass the tragic hill named Golgotha. If His goal were a mere title or known ..
Jeremiah 17:9 Translations and Interpretations: The Septuagint ...
The Vulgate. Before moving on, however, it's interesting to note that Tim's research reveals how Jerome's widely influential Latin translation ( ...
The Origin of the Bible: The Extent of the Bible
All the church Fathers spoke in favor of their canonicity. Accepted but questioned. (antilegomena - spoken against). The Old Latin version omitted Hebrews,
The Book of Life with Study Questions | Biblical Foundations for ...
Latin Vulgate's wrong translation “book of life.” The many Greek manuscripts testify to the proper translation: “tree of life,” not “book of ...
Videos of Golgotha (not ours)
The Truth About Jerusalem's Most Important Site: “ The place where Yeshua was crucified, buried, and raised from the dead - Golgotha.
I VISITED THE POSSIBLE CRUCIFIXION AND BURIAL SITE OF JESUS — Golgotha
