a Golgotha is the Aramaic word for "skull," and Calvary is the Latin word. The place cannot have been where the so-called "Church of the Holy Sepulchre" stands, far within the walls. There is of late a rapidly growing agreement that it was the northern end of the Temple hill, whose rounded summit (without the city wall), and southern face with holes in the rock, looks at a little distance much like a skull. This place fulfils all the conditions.
§ 164. THE FIRST THREE HOURS ON THE CROSS
From nine A.M. till noon on Friday (three sayings of Jesus; the soldiers gambling for the garment of Jesus; the inscription on the Cross; the scoffing of Jesus by the multitude, the Sanhedrin, the soldiers, and even by the two robbers on each side of Christ)a
| Mark 15:24-32 | Matt. 27:35-44 | Luke 23:33-43 | John 19:18-27 |
| 24 And they crucify him, and part his garments among them, casting lots upon them, what each should take [see Ps. 22:18]. 25 And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. 26 And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 27 And with him they crucify two robbers; one on his right hand, and one on his left.3 29 And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads [see Ps. 22:7], and saying, Ha! thou that destroyest the 1temple, and buildest it in three days, 30 save thyself, and come down from the cross. 31 In like manner also the chief priests mocking him among themselves with the scribes said, He saved others; 2himself he cannot save. 32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reproached him. | 35 And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments among them, casting lots: 36 and they sat and watched him there. 37 And they set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 38 Then are there crucified with him two robbers, one on the right hand, and one on the left. 39 And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, 40 and saying, Thou that destroyest the 1temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself: if thou art the Son of God, come down from the cross. 41 In like manner also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, 42 He saved others; 2himself he cannot save. He is the King of Israel; let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe on him. 43 He trusteth on God [see Ps. 22:8]; let him deliver him now, if he desireth him: for he said, I am the Son of God. 44 And the robbers also that were crucified with him cast upon him the same reproach. | 33 there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand and the other on the left. 34 4And Jesus said, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And parting his garments among them, they cast lots. 38 And there was also a superscription over him, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also scoffed at him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if this is the Christ of God, his chosen. 36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, offering him vinegar, 37 and saying, If thou art the King of the Jews, save thyself. 39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, Art not thou the Christ? save thyself and us. 40 But the other answered, and rebuking him said, Dost thou not even fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42 And he said, Jesus, remember me when thou comest 6in thy kingdom. 43 And he said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise. | 18 where they crucified him, and with him two others, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. 23 The soldiers therefore, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also the 5coat: now the 5coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. 24 They said therefore one to another, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my garments among them, And upon my vesture did they cast lots. [Ps. 22:18]. 25 These things therefore the soldiers did. 19 And Pilate wrote a title also, and put it on the cross. And there was written, JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20 This title therefore read many of the Jews: 7for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and in Latin, and in Greek. 21 The chief priests of the Jews therefore said to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but, that he said, I am King of the Jews. 22 Pilate answered, What I have written I have written. 25 But there were standing by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold, thy son! 27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold, thy mother! And from that hour the disciple took her unto his own home. |
1 Or, sanctuary.
2 Or, can he not save himself?
3 Many ancient authorities insert ver. 28 And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was reckoned with transgressors. See [Luke 22:37].
4 Some ancient authorities omit And Jesus said, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
5 Or, tunic.