Matthew 27:33 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull),

NIV: They came to a place called Golgotha (which means "the place of the skull").

NASB: And when they came to a place called Golgotha, which means Place of a Skull,

CSB: When they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of the Skull),

NLT: And they went out to a place called Golgotha (which means 'Place of the Skull').

KJV: And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,

NKJV: And when they had come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, Place of a Skull,

Jesus is being escorted by an execution squad of four Roman soldiers and accompanied by a stranger named Simon, who was forced to carry His crossbeam (Matthew 27:32). Finally, they arrive at the place of the crucifixion. We know little about the exact location of Jesus' death. The location is named "Golgotha," a word referring to a skull, possibly because it was often used for this purpose. The location is visible to many people (John 19:19–20; Matthew 27:39), in keeping with Rome's use of crucifixion as a terrifying warning. In Latin manuscripts, the term was translated using the word calvaria, from which the location has come to be called "Calvary" in English.

This spot was certainly outside the ancient city limits. Hebrews 13:11–12 makes a connection between Israel's animal sacrifices for sin, burned outside the camp, and Jesus' crucifixion outside the walls of Jerusalem: "For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood."

Scripture's lack of detail over the exact spot of the crucifixion is likely a deliberate choice. Humanity has a habit of idolizing physical things (2 Kings 18:4); sites traditionally associated with Jesus' birth, death, and burial already attract such attention.

Matthew 27:32–44 describes Jesus' march to the cross, aided by a man named Simon of Cyrene. Jesus is offered a numbing, bitter wine, but refuses it, and is nailed to the cross. Soldiers gamble for His clothes. A somewhat sarcastic sign above Him reads "the King of the Jews." Observers, including several Jewish religious leaders, mock Jesus for not being able to save Himself. Even the criminals being executed on either side of Jesus insult Him. Mark 15:20–32, Luke 23:36–43, and John 19:16–27 cover this same process.

When Judas learns Jesus has been condemned, he regrets betraying the Lord. He throws down his ill-gotten money and hangs himself. Jesus is taken to Pilate, who finds nothing to charge Him with. Given the choice, the people shout for the release of a convicted murderer and insist on Jesus' death. Jesus is mocked by a battalion of soldiers and then taken to be crucified. On the cross, He is mocked for not being able to save Himself. After three hours of darkness, Jesus dies. He is buried by a rich follower in a new tomb. This location is tightly guarded to prevent anyone from stealing the body.

Matthew 27 begins with an official meeting of the Jewish ruling council. They affirm Jesus' condemnation from the previous night, described in chapter 26. Judas confesses his betrayal and hangs himself. Pilate tries to release Jesus, but the mob shouts for Jesus to be crucified. Jesus is humiliated by Roman soldiers and marched to be executed. On the cross, He is mocked by Jewish religious leaders and others. He dies and is buried in a never-used tomb. Extensive efforts to secure His body from being stolen only serve to prove the miraculous nature of His resurrection, which is detailed in chapter 28.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.