Calvary is the Latin rendition of Golgotha, the place where Jesus was crucified (Matt 27:33; Mk 15:22; Jn 19:17). It means 'skull.' The word Calvary appears only in the KJV & NKJ at Lk 23:33, and only once, where it translates the Greek word Kranion that most English translations render "the Skull."
See Where ☰
The skull-shaped outcrop of rock situated in a disused quarry turned burial grounds just beyong the walls of early 1st cent. Jerusalem. There is evidence that the place was reverenced from early times but was filled over by Emperor Hadrian to build a plaza for the Capitolina temple. When Emperor Constantine converted to the Christian faith, his mother, Helena took upon herself the task of demolishing the Roman temple and built on the site what has morphed since into the present Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. All that is left of this rocky outcrop is today hidden over by a gaudy chapel (accessed through a flight of stairs immediately on the right from the entracne to the church); a hole near the floor allows pilgrims to insert their hand to touch a socket in the rock that (so it is claimed) held the cross erect.
The word 'Calvary' is not to be confused with 'cavalry,' which refers to soldiers on horseback.
©ALBERITH
190415lch