When you think of Calvary or Golgotha, do you see a mountaintop or a hillside in your mind?

Most of us do – or some version that you have seen in a movie of Jesus Christ’s story. The actual site of Christ’s Crucifixion cannot be pinpointed, but there are several theories.

The word Calvary is only used in the King James Version of the Bible. Most translations use the term Golgotha, meaning “the place of the skull” in Aramaic. (Matthew 27:33, Mark 15:22, Luke 23:33, John 19:17) Some scholars suggest it was given this name because the shape of the hill or the rock looked like a skull. Others believe that that it was the site of Adam’s burial; hence Adam’s skull was at Golgotha with many others where Jesus was crucified.

When the Scriptures were translated from Aramaic into Latin, the Latin word for skull -- calvaria -- later became the English word Calvary. 

If you have the opportunity to go to Israel, you will be brought to several purported sites of Christ’s birth, teachings and death. The word purported will take on a new meaning.

The Scriptures tell us that Jesus’ Crucifixion took place outside the city of Jerusalem, as Jewish law forbade executions and burials within the city walls. The Crucifixion also occurred near a populated area, as people were there to mock him. And the burial happened near the Crucifixion. 

In Jerusalem, the most identified site of the Crucifixion is in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It is fascinating to read about the history and collaboration within the church. This large structure contains the Rock of Golgotha that may have held the cross. Some say the church cannot be the site, as it was within the city walls. However, the walls were destroyed and rebuilt several times by the Roman army in the early centuries.

Another possible site is now called Gordon’s Calvary or the Garden Tomb. This peaceful garden is near a hill with limestone caves that could have been seen as a skull or Golgotha. But others believe the rock-cut tombs were chiseled out centuries before Christ’s death and therefore could not be “the new tomb” described in the Scriptures. 

Archeologists are still researching all aspects of the sites, as it is our human nature to want to know exactly where events took place. The discovery of collaborative writings also aid in this fascinating study. 

Thankfully, our Salvation does not depend on identifying the exact location of the events in Jesus’ life. We are to study His teachings and follow His directions.