Hebrew (Aramaic) for "a skull."

Found in 3 locations: Mt.27:33; Mk.15:22; Jn.19:17. Luke 23:33 gives the Greek equivalent, Calvary, adopted from the Latin, Calvaria, found in the Latin Vulgate. Some have noted that the modern expression "Mount Calvary" is really a misnomer, since its height is only a few feet.

Located near a main thoroughfare, visible from a distance. ( Mk.15:40)

Explanations of the origin of its meaning vary from a place of unburied skulls to the most commonly accepted cranium-shaped mound with two caves giving the impression of eyes within a skull.

Its location, believed by some, is north of the city, outside the walls, by the Damascus road. Others cite it within the walls, east of the city. The site is closely associated to the tomb; and since Constantine, its traditional location is cited at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

One of 6 Marys mentioned in the N.T. (See Ch.11, p.146.)

Cleophas, another Aramaic form of Alphaeus.

Mother of James (the Lesser Disciple) and a Joses.

Possible mother to Matthew, also called Levi. (Compare: Mk.15:40; Mt.10:3; Mk.2:14.)

A Galilean? ( Mk.15:40-41)

Some believe John connects "his mother's sister" and "the wife of Cleophas" as the same person, thus making Jesus, the lesser James, and Joses cousins. Most unlikely for two sisters to have the same name. If not true, then John reports four women at Jesus' crucifixion.

More importantly, she is a devoted and unashamed disciple.

Of Magdala, on the southwestern shore of Galilee.

A Galilean from whom Jesus cast out 7 devils.

Some have confused her with the sinful woman of Lk.7:36-50.

A devoted follower to whom Jesus first appeared.

A rich Jew believed to be a Sanhedrin member and Counselor. (Mt.27:57; Lk.23:51; Mk.15:43.)

An earlier (12:42) secret disciple (19:38).

A good man, and like Simeon at Jesus' birth, expectant of God's Kingdom. (Lk.2:25; 23:51)

It was in his mausoleum Jesus was lain.

Nothing is known of him beyond our Bible.

The time is "ABOUT," or could be translated, "TOWARD" the sixth hour (unlikely Roman time, making it 6 a.m., for some time had elapsed since the crow of the cock). This does not conflict with Mark's "THIRD HOUR" (9 a.m.), at which time the proceedings began, which would take some time before Jesus likely was lifted up last of the three toward noon, when darkness fell upon the Earth. (Mk.15:33) ( Mk.15:25, 19:16b, Lk.23:26)

Jesus has heard with His own ears His kinsmen's cries:

Pilate has consented to their conspiracy that Jesus' words be fulfilled, signifying His death by crucifixion rather than stoning by their law. The cross, at the hands of the Romans: the ultimate humiliating act of obedience for Jesus. ( 3:14, Lev.24:16)

Again, John does not repeat here what the Synoptists have recorded earlier. His intent is basically two-fold:

The strength earlier imparted by the angels to Him for this hour, now ebbing away, he likely stumbles under His burden (since it was custom for the condemned criminal to carry his own cross), and another, Simon of Cyrene, is called into service. Yet, it will be sufficient to see Him through the next agonizing moments to speak the release of His own Spirit, separating it from His own body before the soldier's unauthorized spear finds an untimely mark. He will remain in complete command through the very end, even in the dispatch of His own spirit!