Matthew 27:33

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} when they were come {G2064} unto {G1519} a place {G5117} called {G3004} Golgotha {G1115}, that {G3739} is {G2076} to say {G3004}, a place {G5117} of a skull {G2898},

Complete Jewish Bible

When they arrived at a place called Gulgolta (which means "place of a skull"),

Berean Standard Bible

And when they came to a place called Golgotha, which means The Place of the Skull,

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 27:33 marks the grim but pivotal arrival of Jesus and His escorts at Golgotha, the designated site for His crucifixion outside Jerusalem. This verse immediately precedes the crucifixion itself, identifying the location by its Aramaic name, Golgotha, and providing its Greek translation, "a place of a skull," thereby setting the stage for the most significant event in human history: the atoning sacrifice of the Son of God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 27:33 serves as the immediate geographical and narrative prelude to the crucifixion. It follows Jesus' condemnation by Pontius Pilate ([Matthew 27:24-26](/matthew/27-24-26 "Matthew 27:24-26 - Pilate Washes His Hands")), the brutal scourging and mockery by the Roman soldiers ([Matthew 27:27-31](/matthew/27-27-31 "Matthew 27:27-31 - Jesus Mocked by Soldiers")), and the forced march out of Jerusalem, during which Simon of Cyrene was compelled to carry Jesus' cross ([Matthew 27:32](/matthew/27-32 "Matthew 27:32 - Simon Carries the Cross")). The arrival at Golgotha signifies the end of the journey of suffering and the beginning of the ultimate act of atonement, directly leading into the details of the crucifixion in the subsequent verses ([Matthew 27:34-38](/matthew/27-34-38 "Matthew 27:34-38 - The Crucifixion of Jesus")). This verse provides the precise location for the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Roman crucifixion was a brutal form of capital punishment, designed to inflict maximum pain and public humiliation. Executions typically occurred outside city walls to avoid defiling the city and to serve as a public deterrent. Jerusalem, as a holy city, would have strictly adhered to this practice, especially during Passover. Golgotha, or "the place of a skull," was likely a rocky outcrop or hill just outside one of Jerusalem's gates. Its name suggests a site associated with death, perhaps due to its skull-like appearance, its use as a burial or execution ground, or even an ancient tradition regarding Adam's skull. The public procession to such a place underscored Jesus' status as a condemned criminal, yet paradoxically, it was the very stage for His triumph over sin and death.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several key themes within Matthew's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **Fulfillment of Prophecy**, as Jesus is led outside the city, echoing the Old Testament practice of sin offerings being burned outside the camp, a theme later expounded upon in [Hebrews 13:11-12](/hebrews/13-11-12 "Hebrews 13:11-12 - Jesus Suffered Outside the Gate"). Secondly, it emphasizes the profound **Humiliation and Suffering** endured by Jesus, who, though innocent, bore the public shame and physical agony associated with a criminal's death. This public display underscores the depths to which God's Son descended for humanity's redemption. Thirdly, the naming of Golgotha reinforces the **Specificity and Historicity of Sacrifice**. This was not a mythical event but a real act in a real location, anchoring the Christian faith in tangible historical reality, as seen in the detailed accounts across all four Gospels, including [Mark 15:22](/mark/15-22 "Mark 15:22 - Jesus Arrives at Golgotha") and [John 19:17](/john/19-17 "John 19:17 - Jesus Carries His Cross to Golgotha").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Golgotha (Chaldee, _Golgothâ'_):** Derived from a Chaldee word meaning "the skull," Golgotha is the Aramaic name for the knoll near Jerusalem where Jesus was crucified. Matthew's immediate translation of the name for his Greek-speaking audience underscores its significance and perhaps its striking appearance or association with death.
* **come (Greek, _érchomai'_):** This verb signifies a movement towards a destination, often with purpose or inevitability. In this context, it marks the completion of the arduous journey to the execution site, a journey that was both physically taxing for Jesus and spiritually momentous as it led to the culmination of His earthly mission.
* **skull (Greek, _kraníon'_):** This word, from which we derive "cranium," is a diminutive of a word meaning "horn" or "head." It directly translates the Aramaic "Golgotha" and emphasizes the grim reality of the place, associated with death and bones, a stark contrast to the life-giving sacrifice about to occur there.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha":** This clause describes the arrival of Jesus, His executioners, and the accompanying crowd at the designated site. The use of "they" refers to the Roman soldiers leading Jesus, along with Jesus Himself and the two criminals who would be crucified with Him. The journey, though short, represented the final steps of Jesus' earthly life before His atoning death. The phrase "called Golgotha" introduces the specific, historically identifiable location.
* **"that is to say, a place of a skull":** This explanatory phrase provides the Greek translation of the Aramaic name "Golgotha." Matthew includes this translation to ensure his Hellenistic audience understands the meaning of the place name. The name "place of a skull" vividly evokes images of death, perhaps due to the hill's shape resembling a skull, or more likely, because it was a common site for executions, thus littered with the remains of the condemned. This grim designation powerfully foreshadows the death that is about to transpire.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew employs several literary devices in this concise verse. **Toponymy** is central, as the specific naming of "Golgotha" and its immediate translation grounds the narrative in a concrete, historical location, emphasizing the factual nature of Jesus' crucifixion. The name itself, "a place of a skull," functions as powerful **Symbolism**, representing death, judgment, and the ultimate consequence of sin. However, this grim symbol is paradoxically transformed into a symbol of life and redemption through Christ's sacrifice. The phrase also acts as **Foreshadowing**, directly hinting at the death that is about to occur, preparing the reader for the crucifixion narrative. Furthermore, there is an implicit **Juxtaposition** between the mundane act of arriving at an execution site and the cosmic, redemptive significance of the event that is about to unfold there.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 27:33, though brief, is profoundly significant as it marks the physical setting for the climax of God's redemptive plan. Golgotha, the "place of a skull," becomes the intersection of divine justice and boundless mercy, where the sinless Son of God bore the full weight of humanity's sin. It is here that the ancient prophecies concerning the suffering servant are fulfilled, and the ultimate sacrifice for atonement is made. The specificity of the location underscores the historical reality of the crucifixion, grounding our faith not in myth, but in a tangible, verifiable event. This place of death is transformed by Christ's sacrifice into the wellspring of eternal life, demonstrating God's radical love and His unwavering commitment to reconcile humanity to Himself.

* [Mark 15:22](/mark/15-22 "Mark 15:22 - Jesus Arrives at Golgotha")
* [Luke 23:33](/luke/23-33 "Luke 23:33 - The Place Called The Skull")
* [John 19:17](/john/19-17 "John 19:17 - Jesus Carries His Cross to Golgotha")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The arrival at Golgotha is a moment that calls for profound reflection. It reminds us of the immense cost of our sin, which necessitated such a brutal and public display of suffering by the Son of God. Yet, more powerfully, it speaks to the boundless, unfathomable love of God, who willingly allowed His Son to endure this humiliation and agony for our redemption. As believers, Golgotha is not merely a historical landmark but a spiritual touchstone, representing the place where our salvation was secured. It urges us to contemplate the depth of Christ's sacrifice, to acknowledge the reality of His suffering, and to live lives transformed by the grace poured out at that "place of a skull." Our faith is not based on abstract ideas but on a concrete, historical event that forever altered the course of human destiny.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the specificity of Golgotha, a real place, impact your understanding and appreciation of Christ's sacrifice?**
* **What emotions or theological insights does the name "place of a skull" evoke in your heart regarding sin, death, and redemption?**
* **How does remembering the journey to Golgotha and the arrival at this place deepen your appreciation for God's love and the reality of Jesus' suffering?**

### FAQ
**Why is Golgotha also called Calvary?**

Answer: Golgotha is the Aramaic name for the place of Jesus' crucifixion, meaning "skull." The name "Calvary" comes from the Latin word *Calvaria*, which also means "skull" or "bald head." The Latin Vulgate Bible, translated by Jerome, used *Calvaria* to render the Greek *kranion* (skull) found in the Gospels. Thus, "Calvary" is simply the Latin equivalent of Golgotha, both referring to the same location known as "the place of a skull."

**What is the significance of Jesus being crucified outside the city walls?**

Answer: Jesus' crucifixion outside the city walls carried multiple layers of significance. Historically and culturally, Roman executions were typically conducted outside city gates to avoid defiling the city and to serve as a public spectacle and deterrent. Theologically, this act aligns with the Old Testament practice of sin offerings and sacrifices being taken outside the camp and burned, as described in [Leviticus 16:27](/leviticus/16-27 "Leviticus 16:27 - The Sin Offering Burned Outside the Camp"). The author of Hebrews explicitly connects Jesus' suffering "outside the gate" to this sacrificial imagery, emphasizing that He suffered there to sanctify His people through His own blood ([Hebrews 13:11-12](/hebrews/13-11-12 "Hebrews 13:11-12 - Jesus Suffered Outside the Gate")). This act also underscored Jesus' rejection by the religious and political powers within the city, even as He was fulfilling God's redemptive plan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 27:33, by naming Golgotha as "a place of a skull," powerfully underscores the grim reality of death and sin that Jesus confronted head-on. Yet, it is precisely at this place of ultimate human depravity and divine judgment that Christ's redemptive work finds its glorious fulfillment. The "skull," a stark symbol of mortality, becomes the very ground upon which the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), conquers death itself. Through His crucifixion at Golgotha, Jesus inaugurated the new covenant in His blood ([Luke 22:20](/luke/22-20 "Luke 22:20 - The New Covenant in His Blood")), offering Himself as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice that reconciles humanity to God ([Colossians 1:19-20](/colossians/1-19-20 "Colossians 1:19-20 - Reconciliation Through Christ's Blood")). The cross, erected on this "place of a skull," transforms from an instrument of shame into the very power of God for salvation to everyone who believes ([1 Corinthians 1:18](/1_corinthians/1-18 "1 Corinthians 1:18 - The Message of the Cross")), demonstrating that where sin abounded, grace abounded much more ([Romans 5:20](/romans/5-20 "Romans 5:20 - Where Sin Increased, Grace Increased All the More")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 19:17

And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called [the place] of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:

John 19:19

¶ And Pilate wrote a title, and put [it] on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Mark 15:22

¶ And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.

Mark 15:32

Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.

Mark 15:34

And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Luke 23:44

¶ And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.

John 19:23

Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also [his] coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.