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Understanding the Passion Week: Key Events Uncovered






The Passion Week: A Comprehensive Account

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.


Passion Week Timeline: Key Events of Jesus’ Last Days

Passion Week Timeline: The Final Days of Jesus’ Life

The Passion Week, also known as Holy Week, marks the final days of Jesus’ earthly life, leading up to His crucifixion and resurrection. Below is a chronological timeline of the key events that took place.

Sunday – Palm Sunday (Triumphal Entry)

  • Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey, fulfilling Zechariah 9:9.
  • The crowd spreads cloaks and palm branches, shouting “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Matthew 21:1–11; Mark 11:1–10; Luke 19:28–44; John 12:12–19).
  • Jesus visits the Temple and observes its activities.

Monday – Cleansing of the Temple

  • Jesus curses a barren fig tree, symbolizing Israel’s spiritual barrenness (Matthew 21:18–22; Mark 11:12–14).
  • Jesus drives out money changers from the Temple, declaring it a “house of prayer” (Matthew 21:12–17; Mark 11:15–18; Luke 19:45–48).
  • Jesus teaches in the Temple.

Tuesday – Day of Controversy and Teaching

  • The disciples see the withered fig tree, and Jesus teaches about faith (Mark 11:20–26).
  • Jesus debates with religious leaders in the Temple (Matthew 21–23; Mark 11–12; Luke 20).
  • Jesus delivers the Olivet Discourse, teaching on His return (Matthew 24–25; Mark 13; Luke 21).
  • Judas agrees to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14–16; Mark 14:10–11; Luke 22:3–6).

Wednesday – Silent Day

  • No specific events are recorded, but Jesus likely spent time in Bethany.
  • Judas finalizes his betrayal plan.

Thursday – The Last Supper and Gethsemane

  • Jesus and the disciples prepare for the Passover meal (Matthew 26:17–19; Mark 14:12–16; Luke 22:7–13).
  • Jesus washes the disciples’ feet (John 13:1–20).
  • Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:20–30; Mark 14:17–26; Luke 22:14–30; John 13).
  • Jesus prays in Gethsemane, and Judas betrays Him (Matthew 26:36–56; Mark 14:32–50; Luke 22:47–53; John 18:1–11).

Friday – The Crucifixion (Good Friday)

  • Jesus undergoes six trials (Matthew 26:57–68; Mark 14:53–65; Luke 22:63–71; John 18:12–24).
  • Peter denies Jesus three times (Matthew 26:69–75; Mark 14:66–72; Luke 22:54–62; John 18:15–27).
  • Jesus is mocked, scourged, and crowned with thorns (Matthew 27:27–31; Mark 15:16–20; John 19:1–3).
  • Jesus is crucified at Golgotha and dies around 3:00 PM (Matthew 27:32–56; Mark 15:21–41; Luke 23:26–49; John 19:17–37).
  • The temple veil is torn in two, and Jesus is buried in Joseph of Arimathea’s tomb (Matthew 27:57–61; Mark 15:42–47; Luke 23:50–56; John 19:38–42).

Saturday – Jesus in the Tomb

  • The tomb is sealed, and Roman guards are stationed (Matthew 27:62–66).
  • Jesus’ body remains in the grave while His spirit is in Paradise (Luke 23:43).

Sunday – The Resurrection (Easter Sunday)

  • Women visit the tomb and find it empty (Matthew 28:1–8; Mark 16:1–8; Luke 24:1–12; John 20:1–10).
  • Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene and other women (John 20:11–18; Matthew 28:9–10).
  • Jesus appears to two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13–35).
  • Jesus appears to His disciples in the locked room (Luke 24:36–49; John 20:19–23).

Final Thoughts

This week is the most significant in Christian history, marking Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice for humanity and His triumph over death through His resurrection. As we reflect on Passion Week, let us remember the depth of His love and the hope we have in Him.

“He is not here; He has risen, just as He said.” (Matthew 28:6)