Calvary - Alternative Locations

Alternative Locations

In 1882–83, Major-General Charles George Gordon proposed a different location. The location, which some Protestants call the Garden Tomb, is beneath a cliff which contains two large sunken holes, which Gordon regarded as resembling the eyes of a skull; he and a few others before him believed that the skull-like appearance would have caused the location to be known as Golgotha.

The Garden Tomb contains several ancient burial places, although pottery and archaeological findings in the area have been dated to the 7th century BC, so the site would have been abandoned by the 1st century. Eusebius comments that Golgotha was in his day (the 4th century) pointed out north of Mount Zion. Although the hill currently referred to as Mount Zion is indeed south of the traditional site for Golgotha, it has only had that name since the Middle Ages, and previously 'Mount Zion' referred to the Temple Mount itself. The Garden Tomb is north of both.

Another alternate location has been proposed by Rodger Dusatko, a missionary in Germany. He claims that the location of Golgotha is just outside the Lion's gate.

The third century theologian Origen describes Golgotha as a hill in appearance similar to the skull-pan of a head (Against Marcion II). The Gospel of John refers to Golgotha as being very near the city, so near that all who passed by could read the inscription. Considering also the prophecy in Psalms 69:12, his place of crucifixion would have been near enough to the gate that Jesus could hear what the people were saying about him there.

The Gospels testify that as Jesus died the temple curtain was rent in two. Also the earliest Gospel harmony, the Diatessaron of Tatian (160–175 AD) refers to this incident which those standing on Golgotha witnessed.

And immediately the face of the door of the temple was rent into two parts from top to bottom; and the earth was shaken; and the stones were split to pieces; and the tombs were opened; Diatessaron 52,2

According to this exceptionally early writing, it was the face of the door of the temple which was rent in two. The only place where such a spectacle could have been witnessed would have been on this mount overlooking the temple grounds. And just as Eusebius comments in Onomasticon, it lies north of the ancient Mount Zion.

Golgotha. Place of the skull where the Christ was crucified. It is pointed out in Jerusalem north of Mt. Zion. Eusebius Onomasticon Section C The Gospels.

• View of the Lion's Gate from the top of Golgotha. This is the location of the earlier Sheep Gate near the Roman Quarters of Jerusalem. The street Via Dolorosa leads to this gate. (Neh 3,1,32 and John 5,2)

• View of the priest as he sprinkled the blood towards the entrance of the temple. His view went directly over Golgotha.

• Map showing alternate locations of Golgotha. In ancient times the southern city wall extended until Hezekiah's Tunnel.