What Is Calvary?
What Is Calvary? Calvary is the Latin name for the place where Jesus was crucified — also called Golgotha, meaning 'the place of a skull.'
Key verse: Luke 23:33 (KJV)
Calvary is the Latin name for the place where Jesus was crucified — also called Golgotha, meaning 'the place of a skull.'
Calvary is the Latin name for the place where Jesus was crucified — also called Golgotha, meaning 'the place of a skull.'
"And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left." — Luke 23:33 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
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The Biblical Answer
Calvary comes from the Latin Calvaria, a translation of the Aramaic Golgotha and the Hebrew Gulgolet, all meaning 'skull.' The Gospels describe it as a place near Jerusalem, outside the city walls, where criminals were executed. The precise location is debated — some identify it with a skull-shaped hill north of the city, others with a site south of the temple. What matters is what happened there. On a Roman cross, between two thieves, the Son of God bore the sin of the world. 'And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him' (Luke 23:33). Calvary is the hinge of history — the place where justice and mercy kissed, where the wrath of God was satisfied, and where redemption was accomplished. No other place on earth holds such significance.
Key Scripture References
"And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left."
"And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst."
"Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
What Is Golgotha?
Golgotha is the Aramaic name for the hill where Jesus was crucified — the 'place of a skull' that became the site of the world's redemption.
What Is the Passion of Christ?
The Passion of Christ refers to the suffering, crucifixion, and death of Jesus — the events that secured salvation for all who believe.
What Is the Significance of the Mount of Olives?
The Mount of Olives is a ridge east of Jerusalem deeply tied to Jesus' final week, His ascension, and His promised return.
What Is Gethsemane?
Gethsemane is the garden at the foot of the Mount of Olives where Jesus prayed in agony the night before His crucifixion and was betrayed by Judas.
What Is Bethlehem?
Bethlehem is the small Judean town where Jesus Christ was born, fulfilling the prophecy that the Messiah would come from David's city.
Deep Dive Commentary
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Golgotha (Calvary) in the Bible
The hill outside Jerusalem where Jesus was crucified for the sins of the world.
Read it in context
The answer above sits inside Luke. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Luke on day 294 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “What Is Calvary?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
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