Calvary is the name of a location mentioned in the Bible that holds deep significance and meaning. This place is special, especially for believers in Christ, because of the series of events that happened there. Though the word Calvary did not appear more than once in the scriptures, its impact remains noteworthy to date. In this article, we will discuss what the word Calvary means and its importance to the Christian faith.
Meaning of Calvary in the Bible
Calvary is the name of a place outside the city walls of Jerusalem. It is commonly known as the traditional site of crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ. The name Calvary was derived from the Latin word Calvaria, meaning “place of the skull, or skull.” The Latin name Calvaria comes from the Aramaic word/Hebrew term Golgotha, which translates to the English words “place of the skull” as well.
In some Bible versions, the words calvary and golgotha are used interchangeably. The King James Version of the Bible used Calvary in the place of Golgotha in Luke 23:33. But in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John, we find the term Golgotha.
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Over the years, there’s been speculation about why the name of this sacred place means “the skull.” Some believe it was because it’s a place of execution where people can see skulls. On the other hand, others believe it’s because the shape of the hill has the form of a human skull.
As far as the Christian faith is concerned, how the name of this historical location came about is not relevant. The most important thing is that it’s the site of Jesus’ crucifixion. Plus, it’s the place where the symbol of death became a symbol of life and hope.
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The gospel writers have unique perspectives of the events that took place at Calvary on the day Christ Jesus was crucified. We can find the biblical records in the books of Matthew 27:1-56, Mark 15:1-40, Luke 23:1-48, and John 19:1-30. Although each writer’s narrative slightly varies, their message remains the same – Jesus died on the cross.
In the book of Matthew 16:21, Jesus explained to his disciples, saying, “He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” Jesus knew that his purpose for coming to earth involved the salvation of sinners, and he was ready to fulfill the purpose without hesitation.
On the day before Jesus’ crucifixion, he had the Last Supper with his twelve disciples. There, he predicted that one of his disciples would betray him and another disciple would deny him three times.
At night, Judas Iscariot came with Roman soldiers to arrest Jesus. They accused him of calling himself the king of the Jews. The punishment for this offense, according to Roman law, was death on the cross.
Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor at that time, did not consider Jesus a criminal who deserved punishment. But his desire to please the people made him sentence Jesus to death. Then, he washed his hands in the presence of the crowd to set himself free from the possible implication of his judgment.
On the night Jesus was arrested, Simon Peter denied him three times.
Jesus was made to wear a crown of thorns and to carry his own cross while being led to the place of public execution. Despite the beatings and mockery the Son of God went through at the hands of the Roman soldiers, he did not fight back. Eventually, they arrived at the proposed site for the crucifixion of Jesus, called Golgotha.
At this place, the Roman soldiers offered Jesus wine mixed with gall. But Jesus did not drink the wine after tasting it (Matthew 27:34). Afterwards, the soldiers nailed Jesus to the cross by driving nails into his two hands and feet.
Two criminals were crucified with Jesus, one on his right and the other on his left. During the final moments of the criminal on the Lord’s right side, he repented. As a result, Jesus forgave him and promised him paradise on that day (Luke 23:43).
Jesus made certain utterances while on the cross before giving up the ghost. The Gospel of Matthew records that the curtain of the temple was torn into two immediately after the death of Jesus. Furthermore, the tombs were opened, and the bodies of holy people came back to life. Because of this happening, the centurion and those who were guiding Jesus confessed that He was truly the Son of God.
Later in the day, a rich man named Joseph of Arimathea went to ask for the body of Jesus from Pilate (John 19:38). Pilate granted Joseph’s request, and he went with Nicodemus to bury Jesus in a new tomb in a garden, also known as the garden tomb.
On the third day, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb where Jesus was buried and noticed it was empty. Then, she later found out that Jesus is alive; he’s risen from the dead! (John 20).
While on the cross, Jesus was in serious pain and agony. Still, he spoke seven times during the last few moments of his life to express his emotions and to declare his intentions. Here are the last words of Jesus on the cross:
1. “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Matthew 27:46)
2. “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34). Jesus was referring to His executioners in this verse of the Bible.
3. “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43). When the thief at the right side of Jesus repented of his sins, he was promised paradise at that very moment.
4. “Woman, behold, your son! Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” (John 19:26-27). In this verse, Jesus saw his mother and asked Apostle John to take care of her.
5. “I am thirsty.” (John 19:28). This statement is the fulfillment of the prophecy of the old testament scripture in Psalm 69:21.
6. “It is finished.” (John 19:30). Here, Jesus knew he had fulfilled the purpose for which God sent Him into the world: to die for the sins of man.
7. “Father, entrust my spirit into your hands!” (Luke 23:46)
From the moment Jesus’ death took place in Calvary, the location became a special place of devotion. Additionally, it became an important place for Christians all over the world, and not just those in Jerusalem. Let’s talk about the significance of this small hill place to the Christian faith.
1. Symbolizes the Fulfillment of God’s Plan
Jesus came into the world to fulfill the plan of God, which is the reconciliation of man to Himself. He shed his own blood on the cross to set us free from the curse of sin. It was at Mount Calvary that this plan was completed successfully. Therefore, we can all receive forgiveness of sin and answers to prayers from God without any intermediary.
Moreover, we can have a close relationship with God through Jesus Christ without fear, like Apostle Paul says in Hebrews 4:16, “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”
According to John 3:16, God sent His only son to die for the sin of man because of His unconditional love. Being a loving father, the Lord God Almighty doesn’t want anyone to perish but to have eternal life. At Calvary, Jesus demonstrated the love of God that is pure, gracious, faithful, sacrificial, and eternal. Calvary gives us a clear understanding of God’s love that surpasses human understanding. Besides, this place stands as a sign of God’s acceptance and peace in the midst of chaos.
3. Calls Everyone to Embrace the Life of Faith
Pilgrims from all over the world travel to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem regularly. Since the fourth century, this church is believed to be the place of Jesus’ crucifixion and burial. The fact that people can see the exact location where Jesus was crucified further strengthens their faith in Christ. So Calvary can be considered as the place that encourages people to live a righteous life and to receive guidance through the help of the holy spirit.
The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross of Calvary teaches us to imitate the life of Christ as believers. When Jesus was on his earthly mission, he was humble, forgiving, and obedient to God and the law. He was also compassionate, peace-loving, kind, tolerant, and not judgmental. Most importantly, Jesus was selfless, and this attitude encouraged him to submit to the will of the Father. Anyone who wants to live a meaningful Christian life must determine to demonstrate the virtues of Christ.
Kennie Oguntoyinbo is a freelance content writer, editor and proofreader with over 4 years of experience. She is highly skilled in creating captivating and informative content across the Christian, relationship, and parenting niches. With a deep love for Christian-related articles, she writes content that inspires the readers, combining biblical lessons with practical knowledge. Whether writing devotional blogs, relationship advice, or family-focused articles, she aims to glorify God while connecting with readers through relatable, encouraging, faith-driven articles.
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