And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:
He went forth into a place called the place of a skull - or 'unto the place called Skull-place,'
Which is called in the Hebrew, Golgotha, х Gulgaaltaa' (H1538), softened into Golgotha (G1115)]. 'Roll-formed' or 'roll-shaped,' is the idea of the word. But whether this refer to the round shape of the skulls of criminals executed there, which has hitherto been the prevailing opinion, or to the shape of the ground-a round hill or knoll there-as others think, is not agreed. That a hill of that form lay to the north of the city seems true enough; but as this would place the spot outside the city, it is at least inconsistent with what is now shown as the place where our Lord suffered, which is within the city, and must have been so then, as Dr. Robinson contends-though Mr. Williams, who has examined the ground with equal care, endeavours to disprove his positions.
Matthew 27:33-34; Mark 15:22-23: "And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, A place of a skull, they gave Him vinegar to drink mingled with gall;" using the words of the prophetic Psalm (Psalms 69:21), "They gave Me also gall for My meat; and in My thirst they gave Me vinegar to drink." But Mark, no doubt, gives the precise mixture: "They gave Him to drink wine mingled with myrrh." This potion was stupefying, and given to criminals just before execution, to deaden the sense of pain.
`Fill high the bowl, and spice it well, and pour The dews oblivious; for the Cross is sharp,
The Cross is sharp, and He Is tenderer than a lamb.'
But our Lord would die with every faculty clear, and in full sensibility to all His sufferings. `Thou wilt feel all, that thou may'st pity all; And rather would'st Thou wrestle with strong pain Than overcloud Thy soul,
So clear in agony, Or lose one glimpse of heaven before the time. O most entire and perfect sacrifice,
Renewed in every pulse,' etc. - KEBLE