The Place called
the Skull (Luke 23: 33)
What has
become known as Calvary or, as is called in the Gospel texts “Golgotha’ (Matthew
27:33, Mark 15:22, John 19:17), because it was known as the place called the
Skull, has puzzled us throughout the life of the church. Some explanations make sense but are not
ironclad because the text is somewhat silent.
All we are told is that Jesus Christ was crucified at the place called the
Skull. Plausible theories include the
explanation that it was called that because there were many skulls piled there
because of the crucifixions that took place in that spot. That is possible but Luke suggests to us that
it may have been quite common for the deceased to be taken down from a cross intact
and then buried. Isn’t that what Joseph
of Arimathea did? At least in the case
of Jesus, there is no mention of beheading or exposure or abandonment of the
executed. Another suggestion is that
crucifixions took place in a public place as a means of deterrence so it may
have been a skull shaped hill along a busy road that would have afforded a good
view for all who passed. This is
possible but the text again does not make any statement and there is no
internal evidence that the crucifixion took place on a hill at all.
So here is
another theory, one that is not original but comes out of a classroom encounter
long ago. I was challenged many years
ago to think of the story of David in a more critical manner than I ever had
before and not miss out on important details in the text. One of those important details surrounded the
slaying of Goliath by young David. There
are many precise details provided right down to the number of smooth stones he
selected (which is another topic for another discussion but let me say I think
if he could have fit six in his shepherd’s bag he would have). One of the precise details is subtle but it
bears mention. After Goliath was brought
down to the ground, David took the giant’s sword and cut off his head. This may have been the final death blow but
it certainly removed any doubt that David killed him. What follows is curious. The text is plain: David took the skull from
the battle field west of Bethlehem and left it in Jerusalem. The city of Jebus, as it was called at that
point in history, was not in the control of Israel yet so it is unlikely that there
would not be any sort of immediate symbol in the action to the reigning king
Saul. Is it possible that the Gospel
writers were giving a knowing nod to the victory won by Jesus’ ancestor
David? As if to say, “if you thought
David’s victory over the pagan giant was something, watch this.” The real victory was about to be won and not
by a young man who would be the future king of Israel but by the Forever King
of Israel who was predicted in 2 Samuel 7.
SDG
April 18,
2014 – Good Friday
