Luke 23:33

33 When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left.

Luke 23:33 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 23:33

And when they were come to the place which was called
Calvary
Or Cranion, which signifies a skull; so called from the skulls of persons that lay about, who were executed. It is a tradition of the ancients F25, that Adam was buried in this place where Christ was crucified, and that his skull lay here. It was usual to crucify on high places, and on mountains, such an one as this was F26:

there they crucified him, and the malefactors;
the two thieves;

one on the right hand, and the other on the left;
and so fulfilled the prophecy in ( Isaiah 53:12 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F25 Cyprian de Resurrectione Christi, p. 479. Hieron. Tom. 1. fol. 42. Bar Bahluli apud Castell. Lex. Polyglott. col. 3466.
F26 Lipsius de Cruce, l. 3. c. 13.

Luke 23:33 In-Context

31 For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry? ”
32 Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him.
33 When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left.
34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.
35 The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Sometimes rendered Calvary, which comes from the Latin word for “skull.”
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