The Passion Week: A Comprehensive Account from Matthew and Mark

Sunday: The Triumphal Entry

Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11

Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey, fulfilling Zechariah 9:9. The crowds spread their cloaks and palm branches, shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Matt. 21:9; Mark 11:9-10).

Monday: Cleansing of the Temple and Cursing the Fig Tree

Matthew 21:12-19; Mark 11:12-19

• Cleansing the Temple: Jesus drives out money changers, declaring, “My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you make it a den of robbers” (Matt. 21:13; Mark 11:15-17).
• Cursing the Fig Tree: On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus curses a barren fig tree (Matt. 21:18-19; Mark 11:12-14), a symbolic act demonstrating judgment.

Tuesday: Teaching and Confrontations in the Temple

Matthew 21:20–25:46; Mark 11:20–13:37

• The fig tree is found withered (Mark 11:20-25).
• Jesus is challenged by religious leaders (Matt. 21:23-27; Mark 11:27-33).
• Parables of judgment: Two Sons, Tenants, Wedding Banquet (Matt. 21:28–22:14; Mark 12:1-12).
• Jesus debates with Pharisees and Sadducees on taxes (Matt. 22:15-22; Mark 12:13-17), resurrection (Matt. 22:23-33; Mark 12:18-27), and the greatest commandment (Matt. 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-34).
• Jesus pronounces woes on the Pharisees (Matt. 23; Mark 12:38-40).
• The Olivet Discourse on the end times (Matt. 24–25; Mark 13).

Wednesday: A Day of Rest and Betrayal

Matthew 26:1-16; Mark 14:1-11

• The chief priests plot to kill Jesus (Matt. 26:3-5; Mark 14:1-2).
• A woman anoints Jesus with expensive perfume (Matt. 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9).
• Judas agrees to betray Jesus for thirty silver pieces (Matt. 26:14-16; Mark 14:10-11).

Thursday: The Last Supper and Gethsemane

Matthew 26:17-46; Mark 14:12-42

• Jesus celebrates the Passover, institutes the Lord’s Supper (Matt. 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25).
• Jesus predicts Peter’s denial (Matt. 26:31-35; Mark 14:27-31).
• Prays in Gethsemane while disciples sleep (Matt. 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42).

Friday: Arrest, Trial, Crucifixion, and Burial

Matthew 26:47–27:66; Mark 14:43–15:47

• Arrest: Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss; Jesus is seized (Matt. 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-52).
• Jewish Trial: Before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin; Jesus is falsely accused and condemned (Matt. 26:57-68; Mark 14:53-65).
• Peter’s Denial: Three times before the rooster crows (Matt. 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-72).
• Roman Trial: Pilate questions Jesus, releases Barabbas (Matt. 27:11-26; Mark 15:1-15).
• Mocking and Beating: Soldiers mock and flog Jesus (Matt. 27:27-31; Mark 15:16-20).
• Crucifixion: Jesus is crucified at Golgotha; darkness covers the land; He cries, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” and dies (Matt. 27:32-50; Mark 15:21-37).
• Burial: Joseph of Arimathea buries Jesus in a tomb (Matt. 27:57-61; Mark 15:42-47).

Saturday: The Tomb is Sealed

Matthew 27:62-66

The chief priests request Pilate to seal the tomb and place guards to prevent any tampering.

Sunday: The Resurrection

Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-8

• Women visit the tomb and find it empty.
• An angel announces Jesus’ resurrection.
• Jesus appears to the women, instructing them to tell the disciples.

Footnotes

1. Zechariah 9:9 is referenced in Matthew 21:5 as a prophecy fulfillment.
2. The cursing of the fig tree symbolizes judgment on Israel’s unfruitfulness (Matt. 21:18-19; Mark 11:12-14, 20-25).
3. The Olivet Discourse (Matt. 24-25; Mark 13) is Jesus’ prophetic teaching on His return.
4. The Last Supper establishes the New Covenant (Matt. 26:28; Mark 14:24).
5. Jesus’ cry from the cross (Matt. 27:46; Mark 15:34) is a quote from Psalm 22:1.
6. The Resurrection account in Mark 16:9-20 is debated due to manuscript variations.