32: Jesus was taken to Golgotha, which was just north of the city, outside the city walls. Those who were crucified were normally expected to carry the crossbeam of the cross all the way out to the crucifixion site. However, given the fact that Jesus had already been hurt much more than most criminals had been at this point, it is no surprise that he was not able to carry this beam as quickly as the soldiers liked. It seems that, right about the time they exited the city gates, they decided to get someone else to do it.
The Roman soldiers had the right, under their law, to compel someone to carry the crossbeam. They recruited a Jewish man from Cyrene, a city in North Africa. Simon was likely only there for Passover. Simon had two sons, Alexander and Rufus, who were apparently saved, possibly as a result of his involvement here.
33: The place is Golgotha in Aramaic, and Calvary in Latin. The location of the place, as well as the importance of the meaning of its name, is uncertain. There are a couple of different sites claimed to be Calvary, and it is likely that one of the two is correct. It makes little difference now. Salvation was not secured because of which hill was used, but because of who was crucified. What is certain is that this place was outside the city walls, because it was against the law to execute someone inside the city walls.
The place may have looked like a skull, or there may have been many skulls laying around there, or both. Once again, it doesn’t really make a difference. Most likely, there were many human remains there, and it surely looked like a execution spot, whether the place looked like a skull or not.
Personal Journal Entry #12036
Prayer Journal Entry #12036
Daily Bible Reading: Leviticus 8:1-10:20