Passion Week (also known as Holy Week) is the week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. It is the period of time between Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem and His resurrection.
As Christians, it is important for us to understand the events of Passion Week and our response to it.
Sunday
Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:29-44, John 12:12-19)).
As He approaches the city, Jesus weeps over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44).
Jesus visits the Temple (Mark 11:11).
Jesus goes to Bethany and spends the night there (Matthew 21:17).
Monday
Jesus leaves Bethany early in the morning to return to Jerusalem. On his way, He curses the fig tree and teaches the disciples about faith (Matthew 21:18-22, Mark 11:12-14).
Jesus cleanses the Temple by driving out the moneychangers (Matthew 21:12-16, Mark 11:15-17, Luke 19:45-46).
Jesus returns to Bethany with the Disciples (Mark 11:19).
Tuesday
Jesus leaves Bethany early in the morning and notes the fig tree he cursed the day before is withered (Matthew 21:20-22, Mark 11:20-26).
As Jesus enters the Temple, His authority is questioned by the chief priests and elders (Matthew 21:23-27, Mark 11:27-33, Luke 20:1-8).
Jesus delivers the Olivet discourse as He is leaving the Temple (Matthew 24:1-25:46, Mark 13:1-37, Luke 21:5-36).
Wednesday
No activity regarding Jesus is recorded in the Gospels. He spends the day and night in Bethany.
The chief priests and elders plot to kill Jesus (Matthew 26:1-5, Mark 14:1-2, Luke 22:1-2, John 11:47-53).
Judas agrees to betray Jesus (Matthew 26:14-16, Mark 14:10-11, Luke 22:3-6, John 13:2, 27).
Thursday
Preparations are made for the Passover (Matthew 26:17-20, Mark 14:12-17, Luke 22:7-14).
Jesus washes the disciple’s feet and foretells His betrayal during the Last Supper (Matthew 26:20-35, Mark 14:17-26, Luke 22:14-30).
Jesus left with the disciples and went to the Garden of Gethsemane. He left the disciples and going a little further; He prayed to the Father (Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:39-46).
Jesus is betrayed by Judas and arrested (Matthew 26:47-56, Mark 14:43-52, Luke 22:47-53, John 18:2-12).
Friday
Jesus endures three Jewish trials before Annas, Caiaphas, and the Sanhedrin (Matthew 26:57-27:2, Mark 14:53-15:1, Luke 22:54-71, John 18:13-24).
Jesus endures three Roman trials before Pilate, Herod, and Pilate a second time (Matthew 27:2-26, Mark 15:2-15, Luke 23:1-25, John 18:28-19:16).
Jesus is condemned, tortured, and crucified (sometime between 9:00 am and 12 noon) (Matthew 27:27-54, Mark 15:16-39, Luke 23:26-49, John 19:16-37). Darkness came over the land from noon to 3:00 pm. At about 3:00 pm Jesus cried out to God and gave up His spirit.
Jesus’ death is confirmed by Pilate. Pilate gives permission to Joseph of Arimathea to bury Jesus. Jesus is buried in the evening. The stone is rolled in front of Jesus’ tomb (Matthew 27:57-66, Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-54, John 19:38-42).
Saturday
Jesus’ tomb is sealed, and Jewish leaders request guards to be stationed in front of Jesus’ tomb (Matthew 27:62-66).
Sunday
At dawn, Mary Magdalene and Mary went to Jesus’ tomb. An angel of the Lord descended from heaven and rolled the stone away and was sitting on it when the women arrived. The angel told them Jesus had been resurrected and to go and tell the disciples (Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-13).
As they were going, Jesus appeared to the women (Matthew 28:9-10, Luke 24:10-11, John 20:14-18).
Jesus appears to Simon Peter (Luke 24:34), to two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35), and the disciples, including Thomas (Luke 24:36-43, John 20:19-29).
Our Passionate Response
Passion Week is so named because of the passion Jesus demonstrated throughout His final week on earth. He cared so much for us that, despite knowing what lay ahead, He committed Himself to do the will of the Father.
Jesus submitted to humiliation, torture, crucifixion, and having the weight of the sins of the world placed upon Him. Through His sacrifice as the sinless Lamb of God, we are able to stand before the Lord sinless, adopted into the Father’s family as His children.
How can we be anything less than passionate in our worship of our Lord and Savior?!
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Category: Personal Development | Dependence on God
Ron- Hope you and your family have a happy Easter!
Holy week is very important to all of us. I think the whole story really symbolizes the importance that Christ shows of love. He did what was so hard to do when there could have been a easier way he trusted his Fathers will and followed through. If we are so blessed how could we not be willing to worship God at all times. I think its very easy to get caught in the success of business we forget about sacrifice. If he could do that for us then what can we sacrifice to make out live glorify him better.
Seeing the Passion Week played out day by day I am reminded how much Jesus did not only the week before He died, but throughout His entire ministry. He selflessly put Himself second to everyone He came in contact with and did nothing but love, bless, and forgive everyone He met. Having the Passion Week to reflect on the work of Jesus I can’t help but agree that we should be nothing less than passionate about worshipping God. Jesus blamelessly went through so much for us, I cannot think of a better way to repay Him than to spend every moment we can in worship of Him. Such a great reminder going into this week.
It is refreshing to read a post like this that is simple, yet full of rich information. Sometimes I neglect what Christ has done for us and focus on what he has yet to do in my life instead. Going into this weekend, this is exactly what I needed to hear. I do not know always know how to handle my anxieties, but I do know I have a God that is constantly looking out for me and will only bring good to my life. His sacrifice is meaningful and has allowed me to live a full life.
I never seen the Passion Week laid out according to the events on each day. Often when the passion story is lectured on, preached, or read the events are not separated by days. Thus, the passion week seems appears to be a couple days long. I find it helpful knowing what occurred on each day. Last semester I took the course at APU called Jesus Life and Teaching. The passion week events in Mark, Luke, and Matthew were compared to illustrate how each version of the story was different and similar to each other. This post is a reminder of what Easter is truly about.
During this previous week, I read the story in the lesson plan a few times, in preparation for teaching children on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, at Fellowship Monrovia. One thing I learned in Good Friday service is that in order to appreciate the fullness of the resurrection, you must understand the ugliness of the crucifixion. I enjoyed reading your post because of how it was organized day by day. This made the story a little more visual in regards to what occurred on each day leading up to Easter Sunday.