Raised stone platform in Jerusalem; location of Jesus' trial
Gabbatha
Named in 1 verse of John, first in John 19:13.
γαββαθάGabbatha
λιθόστρωτοςThe Stone Pavement
Also called The Stone Pavement.
The name means “high; elevated.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
About Gabbatha Written by AI
Gabbatha, also known as the Stone Pavement, is mentioned in Jhn.19.13 as the location where Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, sat in judgment over Jesus during his trial. The Gospel of John provides this detail as part of the narrative of Jesus' passion and crucifixion. According to John's account, after Pilate had questioned Jesus and found no guilt in him, he brought Jesus out to the Jews and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called "The Stone Pavement," which in Aramaic is "Gabbatha." This event took place around the sixth hour on the day of Preparation for the Passover. The term "Gabbatha" is an Aramaic word that means "elevated place" or "platform." The Stone Pavement, or Lithostrotos in Greek, refers to a raised, paved area, possibly adorned with mosaic or stone tiles. This platform was likely located in the open courtyard of Herod's palace in Jerusalem, where the Roman governor would conduct official business and pronounce judgments. The mention of Gabbatha in the context of Jesus' trial highlights the political and judicial aspects of the proceedings. Pilate, as the Roman governor, represented the authority of the Roman Empire, and his seating on the judgment seat at Gabbatha underscores the official nature of the trial and the verdict he would render. The specific location of Gabbatha within Jerusalem is not conclusively known, but it is believed to have been near the present-day Antonia Fortress, north of the Temple Mount. Archaeological excavations in the area have uncovered remains of a large, paved courtyard that may have been the Stone Pavement mentioned in the Gospel of John. The reference to Gabbatha in the Bible provides a vivid detail of the setting of Jesus' trial and the events leading up to his crucifixion. It also offers insight into the political and judicial realities of the time, as well as the significance of the location where the momentous decision regarding Jesus' fate was made.
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
Gab Baitha, i.e., “the ridge of the house” = “the temple-mound,” on a part of which the fortress of Antonia was built. This “temple-mound” was covered with a tesselated “pavement” (Gr. lithostroton, i.e., “stone-paved”). A judgement-seat (bema) was placed on this “pavement” outside the hall of the “praetorium” (q.v.), the judgment-hall (John 18:28; 19:13).
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
31.777, 35.235 See it on a map
Where the Bible names it
- John 19:13
When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat on the judgment seat at a place called the Stone Pavement, which in Hebrew is Gabbatha.
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.