Golgotha

The Aramaic or Syriac that is transliterated in English as “Golgotha” is translated in Hungarian Sign Language with a two-handed sign: the lower hand indicates the place of the skull (see Mark 15:22 et al.), while the other hand depicts the sign for the three crosses of Golgotha (see Mark 15:7 et al.). (Source: Jenjelvi Biblia and HSL Bible Translation Group)


“Golgotha” in Hungarian Sign Language (source )

See also Calvary.

complete verse (Matthew 27:33)

Following are a number of back-translations of Matthew 27:33:

  • Uma: “Shortly they came to a place called Golgota, its meaning: Skull Mountain.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “When they arrived there at the place called Golgota, that means ‘Place of Skulls’,” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And they arrived at the place called Golgotha, which is to say, Bone of the Head.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “They then continued until they arrived at the place they called Golgota, its meaning, place of the bone of the head.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “When they arrived at the place called Golgota, which means, Place of a Skull,” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Jesus was taken by the people to the place named Golgotha. This word means to say the Skull.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Matthew 27:33

Golgotha is an Aramaic word meaning “skull.” Matthew indicates that the Greek equivalent is the place of a skull (Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch “Skull”). The exact location of this site is disputed, though it is generally assumed that the name suggests that it somewhat resembled a skull.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .