In the Christian faith, Holy Week, the week leading to Easter Sunday, is commemorated with notable importance, honoring the acts of Jesus Christ in the days before His Crucifixion and Resurrection. Holy Week is also known as Passion Week, or as the "Great Week" in Greek and Roman liturgical texts for the great acts of God during that time.
Holy Week Timeline
What Is Holy Week?
Some of the first uses of the name Holy Week appeared in the 4th century from St. Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria, and St. Epiphanius of Constantia when just Good Friday and Holy Saturday were recognized as holy days. Before the Nicene Creed of 325, the early Christian Church focused its observance on the feast of the Christian Passover the night before Easter Sunday.
By the end of the 4th century, the tradition had been established of honoring the various events on the days of the week on which they happened:
- Christ's Entry to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday
- Judas’ betrayal and introduction of the Eucharist on Maundy Thursday
- Passion and death of Jesus Christ on Good Friday
- His Burial on Holy Saturday
- His Resurrection on Easter Sunday
Holy Week 2025
In 2025, Holy Week will be from Sunday, April 13th to Saturday, April 19th. Find more information about the timeline of Holy Week in 2025.
Let's look at the scripture accounts for the days of Holy Week and the events that preceded Christ's crucifixion and glorious resurrection. Read biblical passages of Holy Week and the traditions for commemorating each day:
Get your FREE 8-Day Prayer and Scripture Guide - Praying Through the Holy Week HERE. Print your own copy for a beautiful daily devotional leading up to Easter.
Holy Week Timeline
This timeline of Holy Week will focus on key events recorded in Matthew 27. This chapter in the Gospel of Matthew provides a detailed and gripping narrative of the final hours of Jesus' earthly ministry, from His trial before Pilate to His crucifixion, burial, and the anticipation of His resurrection. Through these verses, we will trace Jesus' journey from the halls of injustice to the cross of suffering, the silence of the tomb, and ultimately, the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. By examining these scriptures, we seek to reflect on the depth of Christ’s sacrifice and the hope it offers to all who believe.
Palm Sunday
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Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King
In the Gospel of Matthew (21:1–11), Jesus instructs two disciples to retrieve a donkey and its colt from a nearby village, stating that if questioned, they should respond, "The Lord needs them." This act fulfills the prophecy from Zechariah 9:9, portraying the Messiah as a humble king arriving on a donkey. As Jesus enters Jerusalem riding the donkey, a large crowd spreads their cloaks and branches on the road, shouting praises like "Hosanna to the Son of David!" and "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" The entire city is stirred, and when asked about Jesus's identity, the crowds reply, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."
This event, known as the Triumphal Entry, is commemorated on Palm Sunday, marking the beginning of Holy Week. The use of a donkey symbolizes peace, contrasting with a warhorse, and the spreading of cloaks and branches signifies honor and celebration. The crowd's acclamations acknowledge Jesus as the anticipated Messiah and King. This momentous entry sets the stage for the subsequent events of Jesus's Passion and Resurrection.
Holy Monday
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Following Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, two significant events occur that are commemorated on Holy Monday:
Cleansing of the Temple (Matthew 21:12–17):
Jesus enters the temple and expels those engaged in commercial activities, overturning the tables of money changers and the seats of those selling pigeons. He declares, "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but you make it a den of robbers." This act emphasizes the sanctity of the temple as a place of worship. Following this, Jesus heals the blind and the lame who come to Him in the temple. Witnessing these miraculous deeds and hearing children proclaiming, "Hosanna to the Son of David," the chief priests and scribes become indignant. When they confront Jesus about the children's praises, He responds by citing scripture: "Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise." Afterward, Jesus leaves the city and spends the night in Bethany.
Cursing of the Fig Tree (Matthew 21:18–22):
The next morning, as Jesus returns to the city, He feels hungry and approaches a fig tree by the roadside. Finding only leaves and no fruit, He says to the tree, "May no fruit ever come from you again," and the fig tree withers immediately. The disciples, amazed by how quickly the tree has withered, ask Jesus about it. He uses this moment to teach them about the power of faith, stating that if they have faith and do not doubt, they can perform acts even greater than withering a fig tree, such as moving mountains. He emphasizes that whatever they ask for in prayer, and believing, they will receive.
Maundy Thursday
The Passover with the Disciples
In the Gospel of Matthew (26:17–25), on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples ask Jesus where He would like them to prepare the Passover meal. Jesus instructs them to go into the city, find a certain man, and convey that He will observe the Passover at that man's house with His disciples. The disciples follow His directions and make the necessary preparations.
That evening, as Jesus reclines at the table with the twelve disciples, He reveals that one of them will betray Him. This announcement fills the disciples with sorrow, and each asks, "Is it I, Lord?" Jesus responds that the betrayer is the one who has dipped his hand into the dish with Him, stating that while His destiny unfolds as foretold, woe awaits the one who betrays Him—it would have been better for that person not to have been born. Judas, the one who would betray Him, also asks, "Is it I, Rabbi?" To which Jesus replies, "You have said so."
Institution of the Lord's Supper
Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom." - Matthew 26:26-29
Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial
After the Last Supper (Matthew 26:30–35), Jesus and His disciples sing a hymn and proceed to the Mount of Olives. There, Jesus tells them that they will all fall away that night, fulfilling the prophecy: "I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered." He adds that after His resurrection, He will go ahead of them into Galilee.
Peter responds emphatically, declaring that even if all others fall away, he will never do so. Jesus then foretells that Peter will deny Him three times before the rooster crows that very night. Peter insists, saying he is willing to die with Jesus rather than deny Him, and all the other disciples echo this sentiment.
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
In the Book of Matthew (26:36–46), following the Last Supper, Jesus leads His disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane, located on the Mount of Olives. He instructs most of them to sit while He goes to pray, taking Peter, James, and John further into the garden. Expressing deep sorrow, Jesus says, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me." He then moves a short distance away, falls on His face, and prays, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will."
Returning to the disciples, Jesus finds them sleeping and admonishes Peter, "So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." He withdraws a second time, praying, "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done." Upon returning, He again finds the disciples asleep. Leaving them, He prays a third time, repeating the same words. Finally, Jesus returns to the disciples and says, "Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand."
Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I will kiss is the man; seize him." And he came up to Jesus at once and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" And he kissed him. Jesus said to him, "Friend, do what you came to do." Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?" At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples left him and fled. - Matthew 26:47-56
Jesus Before Caiaphas and the Council
Following His arrest, Jesus is brought before Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and elders have convened. Peter follows at a distance, entering the courtyard to observe the proceedings. The chief priests and the entire council seek false testimony against Jesus to justify putting Him to death, but despite many false witnesses, they find none. Finally, two witnesses claim that Jesus said, "I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days."
The high priest stands and questions Jesus about this accusation, but Jesus remains silent. The high priest then demands, "Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." Jesus responds, "You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven." In response, the high priest tears his robes and declares that Jesus has spoken blasphemy, leading the council to pronounce Him deserving of death. They then spit in His face, strike Him, and mockingly challenge Him to prophesy who struck Him.
As Jesus faces trial before the high priest, Peter waits outside in the courtyard. A servant girl approaches him, stating, "You also were with Jesus the Galilean." Peter denies this publicly, claiming ignorance: "I do not know what you mean."
Moving to the gateway, another servant girl sees him and tells the bystanders, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth." Peter again denies the accusation, this time with an oath: "I do not know the man."
Later, bystanders confront Peter, noting his Galilean accent as evidence of his association with Jesus: "Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you." Peter vehemently denies knowing Jesus, even invoking a curse upon himself. Immediately, a rooster crows, and Peter recalls Jesus's prediction: "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." Overcome with remorse, Peter leaves and weeps bitterly.
Read More: What is Maundy Thursday and Why Celebrate it?
Good Friday
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Jesus Delivered to Pilate
When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. And they bound him and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate the governor. - Matthew 27:1-2
Judas Iscariot, upon realizing that Jesus was condemned, feels remorse for betraying innocent blood. He returns the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, confessing his sin. However, they dismiss his guilt, leading Judas to throw the silver into the temple and depart to hang himself. The religious leaders, deeming the returned silver as "blood money," decide it's unlawful to place it in the temple treasury. Instead, they use the funds to purchase the potter's field as a burial place for foreigners. This field becomes known as the "Field of Blood." Matthew notes in his gospel that these events fulfill the prophecy spoken by Jeremiah: "They took the thirty pieces of silver... and gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord directed me."
Jesus Before Pilate
Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus said, "You have said so." But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate said to him, "Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?" But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed. - Matthew 27:11-14
The Crowd Chooses Barabbas
During the Passover festival, it was customary for the Roman governor to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. Pontius Pilate, aware that Jesus had been handed over out of envy, offered the assembled crowd a choice between releasing Jesus, called the Christ, or Barabbas, a notorious prisoner. Despite Pilate's awareness of Jesus's innocence and even a cautionary message from his wife about a troubling dream concerning Jesus, the chief priests and elders influenced the crowd to ask for Barabbas's release and demand Jesus's crucifixion. Pilate questioned the crowd, seeking a reason for their choice, but they persistently shouted, "Let him be crucified!"
Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified
So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves." And all the people answered, "His blood be on us and on our children!" Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified. - Matthew 27:24-26
Jesus Is Mocked
After Pilate condemns Jesus to crucifixion, the governor's soldiers take Him into the praetorium, where the entire cohort gathers around Him. They strip Jesus and drape Him in a scarlet robe, fashion a crown from thorns and place it on His head, and put a reed in His right hand as a mock scepter. Kneeling before Him in mockery, they jeer, "Hail, King of the Jews!" They spit on Him, take the reed, and strike Him on the head repeatedly. After this mockery, they remove the robe, dress Him in His own clothes, and lead Him away to be crucified.
The Crucifixion
Simon of Cyrene Bears the Cross (Matthew 27:32): As Jesus is led to Golgotha, the execution site, the Roman soldiers compel Simon of Cyrene to carry Jesus's cross, likely due to Jesus's weakened state from prior scourging.
Arrival at Golgotha (Matthew 27:33–34): Upon reaching Golgotha, meaning "Place of a Skull," Jesus is offered wine mixed with gall—a bitter substance intended to dull pain. After tasting it, He refuses to drink, choosing to face His suffering fully conscious.
The Crucifixion and Division of Garments (Matthew 27:35–36): Jesus is then crucified, and the soldiers cast lots to divide His garments among themselves, fulfilling prophetic scripture. They remain on watch to prevent any intervention.
The Inscription and the Two Thieves (Matthew 27:37–38): Above Jesus's head, a sign states the charge against Him: "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews." He is crucified between two thieves, positioning Him among criminals.
Mockery from Onlookers and Religious Leaders (Matthew 27:39–43): Passersby mock Jesus, challenging Him to save Himself if He truly is the Son of God. The chief priests, scribes, and elders also deride Him, sarcastically suggesting that if He descends from the cross, they would believe in Him. They mock His trust in God, implying that if God truly favored Him, He would be rescued.
Hanging Beside the Crucified Thieves (Matthew 27:44): Initially, both thieves crucified alongside Jesus join in the mockery, heaping insults upon Him. The Gospel of Luke (23:39–43) provides additional detail: one of the criminals continues to hurl insults, challenging Jesus to save Himself and them, while the other rebukes his fellow, acknowledging their just punishment and Jesus's innocence. This penitent thief then asks Jesus to remember him when He comes into His kingdom. Jesus responds, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise."
The Death of Jesus
Supernatural Darkness (Matthew 27:45): From the sixth hour (noon) until the ninth hour (3 p.m.), darkness envelops the entire land. This phenomenon signifies the gravity of the moment and fulfills prophetic scripture.
Jesus's Agonizing Cry (Matthew 27:46): Around the ninth hour, Jesus cries out loudly, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" meaning, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" This expression reflects His profound anguish and fulfills the prophecy in Psalm 22:1.
Misunderstanding Among Bystanders (Matthew 27:47–49): Some bystanders misinterpret His cry, thinking He calls for Elijah. One offers Him sour wine on a sponge, while others suggest waiting to see if Elijah will come to save Him.
Jesus's Death and Miraculous Signs (Matthew 27:50–53): After a final loud cry, Jesus yields His spirit, saying "It if finished". At that moment, several miraculous events occur:
- Temple Veil Torn: The curtain separating the Holy of Holies in the temple tears from top to bottom, symbolizing direct access to God.
- Earthquake: The earth shakes, and rocks split, demonstrating nature's response to the Creator's death.
- Resurrection of Saints: Tombs open, and many deceased holy people are raised to life. After Jesus's resurrection, they enter Jerusalem and appear to many, signifying the power over death granted through Jesus.
Centurion's Declaration (Matthew 27:54): The centurion and those guarding Jesus, witnessing the earthquake and all that transpired, are filled with awe and proclaim, "Truly this was the Son of God!"
Presence of Faithful Women (Matthew 27:55–56): Many women who had followed Jesus from Galilee, providing for Him, observe from a distance. Among them are Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of Jesus, and the mother of Zebedee's sons.
Read More: What's so "good" about Good Friday?
Holy Saturday
Jesus Is Buried
After Jesus's crucifixion, a wealthy man from Arimathea named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus, approaches Pilate to request Jesus's body. Pilate grants his request, and Joseph takes the body, wraps it in a clean linen cloth, and places it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of rock. He then rolls a large stone across the entrance of the tomb and departs. Mary Magdalene and another Mary remain nearby, sitting opposite the tomb.
The Guard at the Tomb
Following Jesus's crucifixion and burial, the chief priests and Pharisees, recalling Jesus's prophecy of rising after three days, approach Pilate to secure the tomb. They express concern that the disciples might steal Jesus's body and claim resurrection, leading to a potentially greater deception. Pilate grants them a guard and permits them to make the tomb as secure as they can. The religious leaders then seal the stone and station the guard to prevent any tampering.
Holy Saturday, also called Easter Vigil, commemorates the final day of Christ’s death, which is traditionally associated with His triumphant descent into hell.
Churches that observe Holy Saturday traditionally do so by commemorating a day of somber meditation as they consider the world of darkness that would exist without the hope and redemption of Christ’s resurrection.
Read More: The Traditions and Meaning of Holy Saturday
Article Image: Public Domain Painting of Jesus Carrying the Cross by Benvenuto Tisi
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