Saturday, August 02, 2008

What did Golgotha and the Tomb look like?




Here are two interesting recreations of Golgotha and the tomb of Jesus which are worth pondering. Thanks to Justin Taylor for sending them along.

http://theologica.blogspot.com/2008/07/what-did-calvary-look-like-interview.html



http://theologica.blogspot.com/2008/07/what-did-jesus-tomb-look-like-interview.html

2 comments:

wellis68 said...

Very helpful image!
But a minor detail... do you think that the crucifixion would have taken place on a hill (like in the image)? He was probably crucified at the foot of that hill. So when you are standing in the courtyard outside of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, you're probably closer to the crucifixion than you are when you are inside and upstairs at the traditional site.

Ben Witherington said...

Hi Wes: You have to realize that the ancient city of Jerusalem is literally underground, not at its current level. Look at the level of the Roman street underneath Robinson's arch near the wailing wall. Its some 15-20 feet down under the current street level. Long story short, no the cross would have been on top of the hill, and the top of the hill is under the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.