Bible Word of the Day
Calvary (Golgotha, Place of the Skull)
Meaning
Calvary is the name given to the hill where Jesus Christ the Messiah was crucified. The name of the hill was originally “Golgotha”, which meant, “Place of the skull” this was derived from the Aramaic word “gulgulta.” This was because when viewing the hill from a distance the features and outcroppings had the resemblance of a skull face. The Latin Vulgate Bible translates the name as “Calvariae Locum” and it’s from the Latin Vulgate we get the word “Calvary.”
Many scholars believe that because of the hills location just outside of the city where people could easily view the hill top. It became a popular place for executions and this scholars believe also contributed to its name. Nearby was a garden complex area, and within this complex a member of the Sanhedrin named Joseph of Arimathea had a tomb that was newly hewn and unused. Joseph of Arimathea was a Christian and he asked for the body of Jesus and buried Him in the new tomb.
“And when they had come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, Place of a Skull, they gave Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink. But when He had tasted it, He would not drink. Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: ‘They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.'” (Gospel of Matthew 27:33-35)
“Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.” (Gospel of John 19:18-20)
“Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. his man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him. When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed.” (Gospel of Matthew 27:57-60)