JOSEPH W. TKACH
PASTOR GENERAL

January 1988

Dear Friend:

Thank you for your question concerning the location of Golgotha.

The most likely site is a rock cliff located just outside the northern wall of the Old City of Jerusalem, to the west of Herod's gate and overlooking the Garden Tomb. This cliff is the highest point of the mountain ridge which extends from the area of the City of David, in the south.

When Abraham was instructed to offer up Isaac, he was told to go to the "land of Moriah" and offer him on "one of the mountains" there (Gen. 22:2). The land of Moriah included the hills of Jerusalem. Solomon later built the Temple on Mount Moriah (II Chron. 3:1). It seems entirely possible, even likely, that this was the same mountain on which Abraham went to sacrifice Isaac. Golgotha was the highest point on that mountain ridge, and, therefore, the most logical place for a sacrifice.

God permitting Christ to be sacrificed for the sins of the world was foreshadowed by Abraham's sacrifice. Apparently, the two events took place at the same location!

By the time of the Romans, a major highway between Jerusalem and Damascus existed near this area. Many people passed by this spot daily in their travels to and from the city. Typically, the Romans crucified criminals in conspicuous places as examples to others.

Although many people believe that the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is built on the site of the crucifixion, there is more reason to accept the hill above the Garden Tomb as the biblical Golgotha, "the place of a skull" (Matt. 27:33; Mark 15:22; John 19:17).

We hope you will let us know whenever we may assist you further with your study of the Bible.

PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE DEPARTMENT