Matthew 27:33

33 They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”).

Matthew 27:33 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
33 And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,
English Standard Version (ESV)
33 And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull),
New Living Translation (NLT)
33 And they went out to a place called Golgotha (which means “Place of the Skull”).
The Message Bible (MSG)
33 Arriving at Golgotha, the place they call "Skull Hill,"
American Standard Version (ASV)
33 And they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, The place of a skull,
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
33 They came to a place called Golgotha (which means "the place of the skull").
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
33 When they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Skull Place),
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
33 They came to a place called Golgotha. The word Golgotha means The Place of the Skull.

Matthew 27:33 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 27:33

And when they were come to a place called Golgotha
The true pronunciation is "Golgoltha", and so it is read in Munster's Hebrew Gospel. It is a Syriac word, in which language letters are often left out: in the Syriac version of this place, the first "l" is left out, and the latter retained, and it is read "Gogoltha": and so, in the Persic, "Gagulta"; and in the Arabic, "Gagalut". The Ethiopic version reads it, "Golgotha"; and so, Dr. Lightfoot observes, it is read by the Samaritan interpreter of the first chapter of Numbers:

that is to say, a place of a skull:
some say Adam's skull was found here, and from thence the place had its name; this is an ancient tradition, but without foundation F13: it seems to be so called, because it was the place where malefactors were executed, and afterwards buried; whose bones and skulls in process of time might be dug up, and some of them might lie scattered about in this place: for, one that was executed as a malefactor F14,

``they did not bury him in the sepulchres of his ancestors; but there were two places of burial appointed by the sanhedrim; one for those that were stoned, and for those that were burnt; and another for those that were killed with the sword, and for those that were strangled; and when their flesh was consumed, they gathered the bones, and buried them in their place;''

i.e. in the sepulchres of their ancestors. This place was as infamous as our Tyburn, and to be crucified at "Golgotha", was as ignominious as to be hanged at Tyburn; which shows what shame and disgrace our Lord was brought, and what he condescended to bear on our account.


FOOTNOTES:

F13 Misn. Sanhedrin, c. 6. sect. 4. 5.
F14 T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 43. 1. Maimon. Hilch. Sauhedrin, c. 13. sect. 2, 3.

Matthew 27:33 In-Context

31 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
32 As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross.
33 They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”).
34 There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it.
35 When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

Cross References 1

Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.