Zu den Toponymen Lithostroton und Gabbatha in Joh 19,13. Mit einem Lokalisierungsversuch des Prätoriums des Pilatus

Abstract

Abstract: This study examines two toponyms that only occur in the story of Jesus’ Passion in the Gospel of John (19,13), Λιθόστρωτον and Gabbatha. Based on a range of sources the argument is made for their definition as and their location at the outer court of the Gentiles of the Temple (λιθόστρωτον; cf. 2Chron 7,3; Josephus, Bell. 6,85.189) on Mount Zion (Gabbatha; presumably deriving from ,גִּבְעָתָהּ „her [Zion’s] hill“ from Isa 31,4). The result has also consequences for the location of Pilate’s Praetorium at Jerusalem in so far as it is topographically connected to the above mentioned toponyms. Hence the locality where the flagellation, interrogation and trial of Jesus took place was the Fortress Antonia which stood directly adjoined to the Temple plateau at its north-west corner – at least if we follow the Gospel of John.