Skull Hill or Holy Sepulchre

Clete

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Personally, I have been taught from the time I was a child that the so called "Garden Tomb" is the tomb in which Jesus was laid and from which He arose and that He was crucified on the very nearby hill which to this day has an escarpment that resembles a skull. However, I don't recall any presentation that firmly establishes this as actual fact. Bob Enyart's "Mount Moriah" video comes the closest but I don't recall him dealing very much with the arguments that support the Church of the Holy Sepulchre as being the correct site.

Several weeks ago, I watched the YouTube video below which argues in favor of the Holy Sepulchre and wanted to present it here for your consideration in the hopes that some of you could help me refute it's arguments.

 

Clete

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I believe that the garden tomb site is the correct burial site and that the peak of Mt. Moriah which is very nearby is the site upon which He was crucified. One of the very strongest pieces of evidence is the fact that this peak is the highest peak of Mt. Moriah being about 120 ft higher in elevation than the Temple Mount area, which is the 2nd highest. I just don't see God picking the 2nd highest point in the immediate area to have His only begotten Son to die on.

That along with the fact that the Church of the Holy Sepulchre ain't even on Mt. Moriah at all! - A point that I think I remember Bob making in his video.

The map below shows....
1. Mount of Olives.
2. Mount Moriah
3. Mount Zion

Notice that Mount Moriah extends to a point just north of the old city walls (at the top of the map) and that point is not only the highest point of Mount Moriah but it is called "Golgotha" to this day precisely because it has an escarpment that looks like a skull.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, on the other hand, is located on Mount Zion not far were the number three is on the map. This doesn't seem to fit with biblical prophecy and is definitely the chief reason I accept the Garden Tomb site as the correct site.

mountains.jpg
 
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JudgeRightly

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I believe that the garden tomb site is the correct burial site and that the peak of Mt. Moriah which is very nearby is the site upon which He was crucified. One of the very strongest pieces of evidence is the fact that this peak is the highest peak of Mt. Moriah being about 120 ft higher in elevation than the Temple Mount area, which is the 2nd highest. I just don't see God picking the 2nd highest point in the immediate area to have His only begotten Son to die on.

That along with the fact that the Church of the Holy Sepulchre ain't even on Mt. Moriah at all! - A point that I think I remember Bob making in his video.

The map below shows....
1. Mount of Olives.
2. Mount Moriah
3. Mount Zion

Notice that Mount Moriah extends to a point just north of the old city walls (at the top of the map) and that point is not only the highest point of Mount Moriah but it is called "Golgotha" to this day precisely because it has an escarpment that looks like a skull.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, on the other hand, is located on Mount Zion not far were the number three is on the map. This doesn't seem to fit with biblical prophecy and is definitely the chief reason I accept the Garden Tomb site as the correct site.

mountains.jpg

As far as I'm aware, the Garden Tomb is the only tomb that matches the layout as fits the events in Scripture, where upon entering, is an antechamber, and to the right is where the bodies are laid, with a low wall in between upon which an angel could sit, the woman turned to the right, not the left. All of the other tombs have their burial rooms either straight ahead or to the left. None of the other tombs are within short walking distance (remember, the Sabbath was upon them, they wouldn't have had time to walk far) of a place known to have been used by the Romans to execute criminals.
 

Clete

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As far as I'm aware, the Garden Tomb is the only tomb that matches the layout as fits the events in Scripture, where upon entering, is an antechamber, and to the right is where the bodies are laid, with a low wall in between upon which an angel could sit, the woman turned to the right, not the left. All of the other tombs have their burial rooms either straight ahead or to the left. None of the other tombs are within short walking distance (remember, the Sabbath was upon them, they wouldn't have had time to walk far) of a place known to have been used by the Romans to execute criminals.
Do people believe that Jesus was crucified on the peak near the Garden Tomb and then buried at the HS site, or do those that believe he was buried at the HS site believe He was crucified somewhere near that site? At the time, both sites were outside the city, if I remember the content of the video correctly.
 

JudgeRightly

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Do people believe that Jesus was crucified on the peak near the Garden Tomb and then buried at the HS site, or do those that believe he was buried at the HS site believe He was crucified somewhere near that site? At the time, both sites were outside the city, if I remember the content of the video correctly.

Dunno.

Just know that they had to prepare Jesus' body quickly, thus eliminating most burial sites (that aren't, close enough to any places of punishment) and of the ones that remain, Golgotha and the GT are the only two sites that are close enough to each other and that match the narrative regarding the layout of the tomb, as far as my understanding goes.
 

JudgeRightly

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Do people believe that Jesus was crucified on the peak near the Garden Tomb and then buried at the HS site, or do those that believe he was buried at the HS site believe He was crucified somewhere near that site? At the time, both sites were outside the city, if I remember the content of the video correctly.

To give you an idea of just how close the Garden Tomb is to Golgotha, unfortunately I can't seem to find any good context shots on Google Maps, but I'm pretty sure you can see Golgotha from within the garden.

And even if not, it's only a few minutes' walk between the two locations.

Edit: it is not viewable from directly outside of the tomb's entrance, but you can see it from within the Garden Tomb site, by following a pathway through the garden.

The two locations are mere tens of meters from each other.
 

JudgeRightly

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Ugh, the lack of photos around the site (especially on Google Maps)... I would love to visit one day and take a few photospheres of the place for Maps.

Okay, found some on Google earth. This is the view of Golgotha within the Garden Tomb area:


If you click on the arrows, and follow the path, it takes you to a view of the tomb entrance.

Here's the relevant scripture:

Matthew:
Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross. And when they had come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, Place of a Skull, they gave Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink. But when He had tasted it, He would not drink. . . . Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him. When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed. And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb. . . . Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.” So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.

Mark:
Then they compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the country and passing by, to bear His cross. And they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull. Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it. And when they crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots for them to determine what every man should take. . . . Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid. . . . Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.

Luke:
Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus. And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him. But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!’ Then they will begin ‘to say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!” ’ For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?” There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”And they divided His garments and cast lots. And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.” . . . Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man. He had not consented to their decision and deed. He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before. That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near. . . . Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’ ”

John:
And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center. . . . After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby. . . . Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.”

The details are pretty specific.

- He was taken to the place of the skull, called Golgotha (called "Calvary" by Luke)
- There was a garden nearby, which had a new tomb (meaning no one had been buried in it yet and was likely freshly hewn)
- They couldn't go very far because of the sabbath, it was Preparation Day
- When the women entered the tomb, they saw an angel sitting on the right side

The only pair of sites that I know of that match those requirements is the Garden Tomb and Golgotha/Calvary.
 

Clete

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To give you an idea of just how close the Garden Tomb is to Golgotha, unfortunately I can't seem to find any good context shots on Google Maps, but I'm pretty sure you can see Golgotha from within the garden.

And even if not, it's only a few minutes' walk between the two locations.

Edit: it is not viewable from directly outside of the tomb's entrance, but you can see it from within the Garden Tomb site, by following a pathway through the garden.

The two locations are mere tens of meters from each other.
I can tell from Google Earth that they're very close. I suspect the Jesus' cross was at the exact peak of that hill, by the way. Someone's house could be on that exact spot. I can't even imagine living there!
 

JudgeRightly

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I can tell from Google Earth that they're very close. I suspect the Jesus' cross was at the exact peak of that hill, by the way. Someone's house could be on that exact spot. I can't even imagine living there!

The haunted houses would be crazy! :p
 
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