Events of the Passion Week

Acts 1:3 says that Jesus “presented himself alive to them after his suffering…”. The original term for Jesus’ suffering in the King James version is referred to as His “passion” (Acts 1:3, KJV). Therefore, most Bible teachers refer to the final week of Jesus’ suffering on earth as the “Passion Week”.

It is often difficult to compile the exact chronology of the events that happened during that week. None of the four gospel accounts are a complete biography of Jesus Christ and often time indicators are omitted.

The actual days of many of these events are often debated by Bible scholars. Below is my attempt to show the chronology of the events during the Passion week as we can best understand them.

I have also included links to blog posts about the subject(s) as the posts are available.

 

Sunday – Entry into Jerusalem

• Triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:29-44; John 12:12-19)
• Jesus spends the night at Bethany (Matthew 21:17; Mark 11:11)

 

Monday – Cleansing the Temple

• Jesus Curses the fig tree (Matthew 21:18-19a; Mark 11:12-14)
• Jesus cleanses the temple (Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-18; Luke 19:45-48)

 

Tuesday – Debating the leaders

• Jesus finds the fig tree withered and teaches lesson on faith (Matthew 21:19b-22; Mark 11:19-25)
• Jesus possesses the temple and answers challenges by Jewish leaders (Matthew 21:23-22:46; Mark 11:27-12:37; Luke 20:1-44)
• Jesus pronounces the woes on the Scribes and the Pharisees (Matthew 23:1-36; Mark 12:38-40; Luke 20:45-47)
• Jesus weeps over Jerusalem (Matthew 23:37-39)
• Jesus shows the example of the widow’s gift (Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4)
• Greeks request to see Jesus; Jesus delivers His final public message (John 12:20-50)
• Jesus teaches the disciples about the end times as they leave the city (“Olivet Discourse”) (Matthew 24:1-25:46; Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21:5-36)
• Judas agrees to betray Jesus (Matthew 26:1-5,14-16; Mark 14:1-2,10-11; Luke 21:37-22:6)

 

Wednesday – Silent Day

• Silent day: no recorded activity in scripture. Jesus remains in Bethany as the Jewish leaders prepare for His arrest.

 

Thursday – The Last Supper

• Preparation for the Passover meal (Matthew 26:17-20; Mark 14:12-17; Luke 22:7-16)
• Passover meal with the disciples (“The Last Supper”)
  • Jesus washes the disciples’ feet (John 13:1-20)
  • Jesus announces that Judas will betray Him (Matthew 26:21-35; Mark 14:18-31; Luke 22:7-39; John 13:21-30)
• Jesus’ extended time of teaching the disciples (“Upper Room Discourse”)
  • “I am returning to the Father” (John 13:31-14:14)
  • “The Father will send the Holy Spirit” (John 14:15-26; John 16:7-15)
  • “I am the vine” (John 15:1-17)
  • “Just a little while longer and I will come back for you” (John 15:18-16:33)
• The High Priestly Prayer (John 17)
• Jesus’ prayer in agony at Gethsemane, outside Jerusalem (Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46; John 18:1)
• Judas betrays Jesus; Jesus is arrested by the Sanhedrin (Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-52; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:2-11)

 

Friday – The Passover Sacrifice

• Three overnight trials by the Jews; Peter’s denials (Matthew 26:57-27:1; Mark 14:53-15:1; Luke 22:54-71; John 18:12-27)
• Three early morning trials by the Romans (Matthew 27:2,11-31; Mark 15:1-20; Luke 23:1-25; John 18:28-19:16)
• Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
  • The first three hours: mockery in the daylight (Matthew 27:32-44, Mark 15:21-32, Luke 23:26-43, John 19:17-27)
  • The final three hours: darkness (Matthew 27:45-56, Mark 15:33-41, Luke 23:44-49, John 19:28-30)
  • Jesus is certified as dead (John 19:31-37)
• Jesus is taken from the cross and is buried (Matthew 27:57-61; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42)

 

Saturday – The Sabbath

• The Jewish leaders request a guard over the tomb (Matthew 27:62-66)

 

Sunday – He is Risen!

• Jesus rises from the dead!! (Matthew 28:1-15; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-49; John 20:1-23)

 

 

Sources:

• Doug Bookman, Passion Week lecture and notes, http://www.bookmanministries.com
• Robert L. Thomas & Stanley N Gundry, A Harmony of the Gospels, Sections 187-253, pages 176-259