and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
John, the beloved disciple, highlights Jesus bearing His own cross, a subtle but significant detail. Unlike the other Gospels, John omits the help of Simon of Cyrene, emphasizing that Jesus willingly carried the weight of sin Himself, even when physically unable to.
and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just been condemned by Pilate, and now He is led out, carrying the heavy cross Himself. He heads toward a place outside the city walls, known as the Place of a Skull, or Golgotha in the local Aramaic language, where criminals were put to death. This somber procession marks the beginning of His crucifixion, an event that fulfills prophecy and carries the weight of the world's salvation.
Imagine Jesus, exhausted and wounded, carrying the very instrument of His death. John's Gospel highlights a poignant detail about this moment.
The Gospel of John focuses on Jesus bearing His own cross. While other Gospels mention Simon of Cyrene helping Him when He could no longer carry it, John emphasizes Jesus' personal carrying of the cross. This underscores His willingness and personal responsibility in fulfilling God's plan. It wasn't just an external burden imposed upon Him, but something He embraced as part of His redemptive mission.
The destination was 'The Place of a Skull,' known in Aramaic as Golgotha. Why this stark name, and what does it signify beyond a mere location?
The name 'Golgotha,' meaning 'The Place of a Skull,' carries heavy symbolism. While some suggest it was named for its shape or a place where skulls were disposed of due to capital punishment, its significance runs deeper.
Ask a follow-up
Understand the original words
stauros · Greek Noun
The literal wooden instrument of execution upon which Jesus died; it functions as a potent symbol of sacrifice, self-denial, and the substitutionary death of Christ.
Kraniou Topos / Gulgolta · Greek/Aramaic Noun phrase
A prominent feature of the landscape outside Jerusalem used for public executions; it reflects the physical reality and public nature of Christ's suffering.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Jesus carries His cross
Jesus, after being condemned by Pilate, takes up His cross to be led to the place of execution outside the city walls.
c. 30 AD
Simon of Cyrene helps carry the cross
As Jesus falters under the weight of the cross, Simon of Cyrene is compelled to help carry it, highlighting Jesus's extreme suffering and weakness.
c. 30 AD
Crucifixion at Golgotha
Jesus is crucified at Golgotha, a place outside Jerusalem, along with two other criminals, fulfilling prophetic scriptures.
c. 30 AD
Pilate's inscription on the cross
A sign with the charge against Jesus, 'Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews,' is written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek and affixed to the cross.
c. 30 AD
Soldiers divide Jesus's garments
Roman soldiers cast lots for Jesus's seamless tunic, fulfilling another prophecy and showing the soldiers' indifference to the gravity of the event.
This passage parallels Abraham taking Isaac to the place of sacrifice, just as Jesus, carrying His own cross, goes to the place of His ultimate sacrifice, fulfilling God's plan.
Hebrews 13:11-13This text explains that Jesus suffered 'without the gate' to sanctify His people, directly linking to His journey outside Jerusalem to Golgotha, the place of execution.
Matthew 27:31-33While John focuses on Jesus bearing His own cross, Matthew mentions Simon of Cyrene helping, showing the human burden Jesus carried and the divine plan that even forced human participation.
Isaiah 53:7This prophetic passage describes the 'suffering servant' being led 'like a lamb to the slaughter,' which powerfully reflects Jesus' silent, obedient journey to Golgotha for humanity's sins.
vincentJohn 19:17: "And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:"
Bearing (βαστάζων)See on John 12:6; see on John 10:31.His cross (τὸν σταυρὸν αὑτοῦ)The best texts read αὑτῷ or ἑαυτῷ, "bearing the cross for Himself." John does not mention the impressment of Simon of Cyrene for this service. Compare Matthew 27:32; Mark 15:21; Luke 23:26.SkullSee on Matthew 27:33.
expositorsJohn 19:17: "And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:"
XX. MARY AT THE CROSS. "They took Jesus therefore: and He went out, bearing the cross for Himself, unto the place called The place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew Golgotha: where they crucified Him, and with Him two others, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. And Pilate wrote a title also, and put it on the cross. And there was written, JESUS OF NAZAR…
John, the beloved disciple, highlights Jesus bearing His own cross, a subtle but significant detail. Unlike the other Gospels, John omits the help of Simon of Cyrene, emphasizing that Jesus willingly carried the weight of sin Himself, even when physically unable to.
Jesus has just been condemned by Pilate, and now He is led out, carrying the heavy cross Himself. He heads toward a place outside the city walls, known as the Place of a Skull, or Golgotha in the local Aramaic language, where criminals were put to death. This somber procession marks the beginning of His crucifixion, an event that fulfills prophecy and carries the weight of the world's salvation.
Jesus has just been condemned by Pilate, and now He is led out, carrying the heavy cross Himself. He heads toward a place outside the city walls, known as the Place of a Skull, or Golgotha in the local Aramaic language, where criminals were put to death. This somber procession marks the beginning of His crucifixion, an event that fulfills prophecy and carries the weight of the world's salvation.
"and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them." — John, the beloved disciple, highlights Jesus bearing His own cross, a subtle but significant detail. Unlike the other Gospels, John omits the help of Simon of Cyrene, emphasizing that Jesus willing…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026