Christian Holy Week Explained

Christian Holy Week Explained

Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday and ends on Resurrection Sunday (Easter). It is the final week of Jesus’ earthly ministry, including His sacrifice on the cross and His glorious resurrection.

1. Palm Sunday – Jesus Enters Jerusalem as King

Scripture: Matthew 21:1–11; Mark 11:1–11; Luke 19:28–44; John 12:12–19

What happened: Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling prophecy (Zechariah 9:9), as crowds shouted “Hosanna!” and laid palm branches and cloaks on the road before Him.

Symbol: Palms represent victory and peace.

Key Message: Jesus enters as the humble King, offering peace — not political power.
“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” — Matthew 21:9

2. Holy Monday – Jesus Cleanses the Temple

Scripture: Matthew 21:12–17; Mark 11:15–19; Luke 19:45–48

What happened: Jesus drove out the money changers and merchants from the temple, declaring that the temple should be a house of prayer, not a den of thieves.

Key Message: God desires purity in worship and justice in His house.
“My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you make it a den of robbers.” — Matthew 21:13

3. Holy Tuesday – Jesus Teaches in the Temple

Scripture: Matthew 21–25; Mark 11:20–13:37; Luke 20:1–21:36

What happened: Jesus debates religious leaders, teaches parables, and warns about the end times and hypocrisy.

Key Message: Jesus reveals His authority and confronts false religion with truth and love.
“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.” — Mark 12:17

4. Spy Wednesday – Judas Betrays Jesus

Scripture: Matthew 26:14–16; Mark 14:10–11; Luke 22:1–6

What happened: Judas Iscariot agrees to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.

Symbol: Silver coins represent betrayal and false loyalty.

Key Message: Sin can hide behind proximity to Jesus — watch your heart.
“What will you give me if I deliver Him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. — Matthew 26:15

5. Maundy Thursday – The Last Supper & Command to Love

Scripture: Matthew 26:17–30; Mark 14:12–26; Luke 22:7–38; John 13–17

What happened:
Jesus celebrates the Passover with His disciples.
He institutes the Lord’s Supper (Communion).
He washes their feet as a servant.
He gives a “new commandment” — to love one another.

Maundy: Comes from Latin mandatum — meaning “command.”

Key Message: True greatness is found in serving and loving others.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you.” — John 13:34
“This is My body… This is My blood… Do this in remembrance of Me.” — Luke 22:19-20

6. Good Friday – Jesus Is Crucified

Scripture: Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 18–19

What happened:
Jesus is arrested, falsely tried, beaten, and crucified.
He dies at 3 PM and is buried before sundown.

Why it’s “Good”: Though tragic, it’s good because Jesus’ death paid the price for sin.

Key Message: Jesus took our place. Salvation is available to all who believe.
“But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities…” — Isaiah 53:5
“It is finished.” — John 19:30

7. Holy Saturday – The Waiting Day

Scripture: Matthew 27:57–66; Luke 23:50–56

What happened: Jesus’ body lay in the tomb. The disciples were scattered and afraid. Silence filled the day.

Key Message: Even in silence, God is at work. Trust Him in the waiting.
“So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.” — Matthew 27:66

8. Resurrection Sunday (Easter) – Jesus Is Risen!

Scripture: Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20

What happened: Early in the morning, women found the tomb empty. Jesus had risen from the dead, just as He promised.

Key Message: Jesus is alive! Death is defeated. New life is possible.
“He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said.” — Matthew 28:6
“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live.” — John 11:25