Golgotha

(skull), otherwise called the place of the skull, or Calvary (Matt. 27:33; Mark 15:22; John 19:17; Luke 23:33) — a rocky elevation to the northwest of Jerusalem, on which the Lord was crucified. Golgotha lay not far from the city, outside the gate (Heb. 13:12), but is now situated within the city itself, near its western extremity, and is entirely built up with sacred edifices, in commemoration of the sacred places and events — the crucifixion, the passion, the burial, and the resurrection of the Savior.

The name Golgotha was given to this sacred place, probably, from the resemblance of the locality to the form of a skull, or because skulls of executed criminals were often to be seen there; but according to Church tradition, Adam is buried here. The events of Golgotha, described by the evangelists, are full of the most moving interest for every true Christian. Behold, amid the mockery and taunts of the soldiers and the crowd, the Lord Jesus, in terrible agony on the cross, gave up the ghost.

And what terrible signs accompanied the death of the God-man! Darkness over all the land. The sun grew dim and could not look upon the terrible sight, the earth shook, as though sympathizing with the sufferings of its Lord and Master, the rocks were split, and the bodies of many of the sleeping saints arose. With the Lord’s last, dying word — “It is finished!” — a new religious era begins, and the veil of the Temple is torn in two from top to bottom. There is fulfilled the ancient prophecy of the Old Testament evangelist, the prophet Isaiah (53:12): “and he was numbered with the transgressors,” for He was crucified between two thieves.

The Old Testament ceremonial law ceased, when He offered Himself a spotless sacrifice to God. This age-old struggle with the prince of this world was solemnly ended in the victory of the cross. “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Col. 2:15). Yes, in truth, upon these greatest moments of humiliation and triumph, of shame and glory, humanity in every age will look with deep trembling and reverence, and will always see in them redemption from sin, the defeat of Satan, reconciliation with God, and the salvation of the world.