King James Version

What Does Mark 15:22 Mean?

Mark 15:22 in the King James Version says “And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.” — study this verse from Mark chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.”

Mark 15:22 · KJV

Context

20

And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.

21

And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.

22

And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.

23

And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.

24

And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
At crucifixion, 'they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull' (φέρουσιν αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τὸν Γολγοθᾶν τόπον, ὅ ἐστιν μεθερμηνευόμενον Κρανίου Τόπος). Golgotha (Γολγοθᾶν, from Aramaic gulgalta) means 'skull place'—possibly named for skull-shaped rock formation or as execution site. This was outside Jerusalem's walls (Hebrews 13:12), fulfilling requirements that sin offerings be burned outside the camp (Leviticus 16:27). Jesus, bearing our sin, suffered 'outside the gate' (Hebrews 13:12-13), experiencing rejection and bearing shame. The skull imagery foreshadows death—Jesus would die at 'death's place.' Yet His death defeated death itself (1 Corinthians 15:55-57; Hebrews 2:14-15). Golgotha became history's pivotal location—where sin was atoned and Satan defeated.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Golgotha's exact location is debated—traditional site is Church of the Holy Sepulchre (within current Old City walls but outside first-century walls); alternate site is 'Gordon's Calvary' north of Damascus Gate. Roman crucifixions occurred at public locations as deterrent. Victims carried crossbeams (patibulum) through streets to execution sites. Jesus collapsed under the cross's weight (weakened by scourging), requiring Simon of Cyrene to carry it (Mark 15:21). Crucifixion was Rome's cruelest punishment—slow death by asphyxiation, exposure, blood loss. Victims sometimes lasted days. Jesus died in six hours (Mark 15:25, 33-34, 37), unusually quick. The location outside city walls fulfilled typology—Levitical sin offerings burned outside camp (Leviticus 4:12, 21; 16:27), symbolizing sin's removal. Hebrews 13:11-13 explicitly connects this typology to Jesus' crucifixion.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Golgotha's name ('place of a skull') signify about Jesus confronting death itself at the cross?
  2. How does Jesus' crucifixion 'outside the gate' fulfill Old Testament typology of sin offerings removed from the camp?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 11 words
καὶ1 of 11

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

φέρουσιν2 of 11

“they bring”

G5342

to "bear" or carry (in a very wide application, literally and figuratively, as follows)

αὐτὸν3 of 11

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐπὶ4 of 11

“unto”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

Γολγοθᾶ5 of 11

“Golgotha”

G1115

the skull; golgotha, a knoll near jerusalem

Τόπος6 of 11

“The place”

G5117

a spot (general in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas g5561 is a large but participle locality), i.e., location (as a position, home, tract, etc

ὅ7 of 11

“which”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἐστιν8 of 11

“is”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

μεθερμηνευόμενον9 of 11

“being interpreted”

G3177

to explain over, i.e., translate

Κρανίου10 of 11

“of a skull”

G2898

a skull ("cranium")

Τόπος11 of 11

“The place”

G5117

a spot (general in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas g5561 is a large but participle locality), i.e., location (as a position, home, tract, etc

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 15:22 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 15:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 27:33-44John 19:17-27Luke 23:27-38

Places in This Verse

GolgothaHill · Modern: Church of the Holy Sepulchre · 31.78°N, 35.23°E4 verses across 4 books
View all places in Mark 15 →

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