Calvary
LocationsGeographical Setting
Calvary is the Latinized form of the Aramaic word Golgotha, meaning 'place of a skull,' identifying the site of Jesus' crucifixion.
What is the meaning of Calvary in the Bible?
Calvary serves as the English and Latin equivalent for the Aramaic term Golgotha, referring to the specific site outside Jerusalem where the crucifixion occurred.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing Calvary as the Latin translation of Golgotha clarifies the geographical setting of the crucifixion narrative in the Gospels.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Calvary (located near modern Jerusalem, Israel) held strategic importance. Understanding its position and trade routes explains why key biblical events unfolded here.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Calvary in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Calvary clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Calvary." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/calvary/