Calvary Means Skull: It Is the Latin for Golgotha, and It Is One Verse



  • Calvary, also known as Golgotha, is the traditional location in the holy city of Jerusalem where Jesus Christ was crucified. The term ‘Calvary’ carries deep symbolic significance, embodying the themes of self-sacrifice, divine love, salvation, and redemption.
  • Surprisingly, the term ‘Calvary’ does not frequently appear in the scriptures. In fact, it is mentioned only once in the entire Bible, in Luke 23:33. Yet, its one-time mention does not lessen its eminence but rather underscores the magnificence of the event it represents.
  • Varied biblical versions and translations depict Calvary differently, each offering a unique perspective on the crucifixion event. In some narratives, Calvary is portrayed as a hill outside Jerusalem, while in others, its description is left to the readers’ perception.
  • The interpretation of Calvary differs slightly across Christian denominations; however, its core symbolism of Jesus’ sacrifice remains unchanged. Additionally, there are no major controversies around its interpretation, rather, a shared admiration for the sacrificial love it stands for.

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Calvary means skull. It is the Latin word Calvaria, translating the Greek Kranion, translating the Aramaic Golgotha — and it appears in the English Bible exactly once, in Luke, in the King James translation. Every other Gospel calls it Golgotha, and most modern versions simply call it the Skull. So the tenderest word we own is not a place name at all. It is somebody’s description of a rock. One verse, and a translator’s choice Luke writes that when they…

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