Holy Week Chronology

Holy Week chronology
A reconstruction of the events of Jesus’ life with a timeline.

Palm Sunday Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

These events  are recorded in Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, and John 12:12-19.

 On the Sunday before his death, Jesus began his trip to Jerusalem, knowing that soon he would lay down his life for our sins. Nearing the village of Bethphage, he sent two of his disciples ahead, telling them to look for a donkey and its unbroken colt. The disciples were instructed to untie the animals and bring them to him.

 Then Jesus sat on the young donkey and slowly, humbly, made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, fulfilling the ancient prophecy in Zechariah 9:9: "Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."

 The crowds welcomed him by waving palm branches in the air and shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!"

 On Palm Sunday, Jesus and his disciples spent the night in Bethany, a town about two miles east of Jerusalem. This is where Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead, and his two sisters, Mary and Martha lived. They were close friends of Jesus, and probably hosted Him and His disciples during their final days in Jerusalem.

Monday – Jesus Cleanses the Temple

Monday's events are recorded in Matthew 21:12–22, Mark 11:15–19, Luke 19:45-48, and John 2:13-17

 The following morning, Jesus returned with his disciples to Jerusalem. Along the way, He cursed a fig tree because it had failed to bear fruit. Some scholars believe this cursing of the fig tree represented God's judgment on the spiritually dead religious leaders of Israel. Others believe the symbolism extended to all believers, demonstrating that genuine faith is more than just outward religiosity. True, living faith must bear spiritual fruit in a person's life.

 When Jesus arrived at the Temple he found the courts full of corrupt money changers. He began overturning their tables and clearing the Temple, saying, "The Scriptures declare, 'My Temple will be a house of prayer,' but you have turned it into a den of thieves." (Luke 19:46)

 On Monday evening Jesus stayed in Bethany again, probably in the home of his friends, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.

Tuesday

The tumultuous events of Tuesday and the Olivet Discourse are recorded in Matthew 21:23–24:51, Mark 11:20–13:37, Luke 20:1–21:36, and John 12:20–38.

 On Tuesday morning, Jesus and his disciples returned to Jerusalem. They passed the withered fig tree on their way, and Jesus spoke to his companions about the importance of faith.

 Back at the Temple, religious leaders, upset at Jesus establishing himself as a spiritual authority, organized an ambush with the intent to place Him under arrest. But Jesus evaded their traps and pronounced harsh judgment on them, saying: "Blind guides!...For you are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people's bones and all sorts of impurity. Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness...Snakes! Sons of vipers! How will you escape the judgment of hell?" (Matthew 23:24-33)

 Later that afternoon, Jesus left the city and went with his disciples to the Mount of Olives, which sits due east of the Temple and overlooks Jerusalem. Here Jesus gave the Olivet Discourse, an elaborate prophecy about the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the age. He speaks, as usual, in parables, using symbolic language about the end times events, including His Second Coming and the final judgment.

 Scripture indicates that this Tuesday was also the day Judas Iscariot negotiated with the Sanhedrin, the rabbinical court of ancient Israel, to betray Jesus (Matthew 26:14-16).

The Plot to Kill Jesus by the chief priests
“It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth and kill him.” Mark 14:1-2

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

“While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper… a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head… it could have sold for more than three hundred denarii.” Mark 14:3-5

Judas agrees to Betray Jesus

“Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to betray him.” Mark 14:10-11

 After a tiring day of confrontation and warnings about the future, once again, Jesus and the disciples return to Bethany to stay the night.

Wednesday

The Bible doesn't say what the Lord did on the Wednesday of Passion Week. Scholars speculate that after two exhausting days in Jerusalem, Jesus and his disciples spent this day resting in Bethany in anticipation of Passover.

 Just a short time previously, Jesus had revealed to the disciples, and the world, that he had power over death by raising Lazarus from the grave. After seeing this incredible miracle, many people in Bethany believed that Jesus was the Son of God and put their faith in him. Also in Bethany just a few nights earlier, Lazarus' sister Mary had lovingly anointed the feet of Jesus with expensive perfume.

Holy Thursday

Thursday's events are recorded in Matthew 26:17–75, Mark 14:12-72, Luke 22:7-62, and John 13:1-38.

Holy Week takes a somber turn on Thursday.

 From Bethany, Jesus sent Peter and John ahead to the Upper Room in Jerusalem to make the preparations for the Passover Feast. That evening after sunset, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples as they prepared to share in the Passover. By performing this humble act of service, Jesus demonstrated by example how believers are to love one another.

 Jesus shared the feast of Passover with his disciples, saying: "I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. For I tell you now that I won't eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God." (Luke 22:15-16,)

 As the Lamb of God, Jesus was about to fulfill the meaning of Passover by giving his body to be broken and his blood to be shed in sacrifice, freeing us from sin and death. During this Last Supper, Jesus established the Lord's Supper, or Communion, instructing his followers to continually remember his sacrifice by sharing in the elements of bread and wine (Luke 22:19-20).

 Later, Jesus and the disciples left the Upper Room and went to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed in agony to God the Father. Luke's Gospel says that "his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground." (Luke 22:44,)

 Later that evening in Gethsemane, Jesus was betrayed with a kiss by Judas Iscariot and arrested by the Sanhedrin. He was taken to the home of Caiaphas, the High Priest, where the whole council had gathered to begin making their case against Jesus.

 Meanwhile, in the early morning hours, as Jesus' trial was getting underway, Peter denied knowing his Master three times before the rooster crowed.

Mid-day: Jesus’ disciples prepare the upper room for the Passover meal.

About 6pm: 

Jesus begins the Passover meal with his disciples.

After the institution of the Eucharist and the reception of communion by all twelve of the Apostles (and our Lord himself), Judas receives the dipped morsel (which was not the Eucharist, but simple bread) and departs.

About 8pm: 

Jesus goes forth to the Garden of Gethsemane.

About 9pm: 

Judas leads the soldiers to Jesus and the other apostles. Our Lord is arrested.

All flee, excepting Peter and John.

From 9pm till midnight:

Trials - These are the first two trials which our Lord undergoes.

Jesus is brought first to Annas.

 During the trial at the house of Annas, St. Peter denies Jesus the first time.

Jesus is next brought to Caiaphas.

The trial before Caiaphas is often called the “Night Trial before the Sanhedrin”.

During the trial before Caiaphas, St. Peter denies the Lord twice more. The cock crows, and Peter flees weeping.

The Temple guards blindfold Jesus and strike him, asking him to prophecy for them.

Our Lord spends the rest of the night in the dungeon of Caiaphas’ house.

Good Friday

Friday's events are recorded in Matthew 27:1-62, Mark 15:1-47, Luke 22:63-23:56, and John 18:28-19:37

 Good Friday is the most difficult day of Passion Week. Christ's journey turned treacherous and acutely painful in these final hours leading to his death.

 According to Scripture, Judas Iscariot, the disciple who had betrayed Jesus, was overcome with remorse and hanged himself early Friday morning.

 Meanwhile, before the third hour, Jesus endured the shame of false accusations, condemnation, mockery, beatings, and abandonment. After multiple unlawful trials, he was sentenced to death by crucifixion, one of the most horrible and disgraceful methods of capital punishment known at the time.

 Before Christ was led away, soldiers spit on him, tormented and mocked him, and pierced him with a crown of thorns. Then Jesus carried his own cross to Calvary where, again, he was mocked and insulted as Roman soldiers nailed him to the wooden cross.

 Jesus spoke seven final statements from the cross. His first words were, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34,). His last words were, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." (Luke 23:46,)

 Then, about the ninth hour (3 p.m.), Jesus breathed his last breath and died.

 Friday evening, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea took Jesus' body down from the cross and lay it in a tomb.

 Jesus Christ paid the penalty for sin by offering the perfect, spotless sacrifice. He conquered death, both spiritually and physically, securing our eternal salvation: "For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God." (1 Peter 1:18-19)

6am: 

The Lord is brought to a brief trial before the Sanhedrin. They send him directly to Pilate.

Immediately after Jesus is sent forth from the Sanhedrin to Pilate, Judas returns to the chief priests, 

Regretting his betrayal. Returning the money, Judas departs and hangs himself (probably before noon).

From 6am to 9am: 

The fourth trial now, which is before Pilate, is very brief. The Lord is sent to Herod (the fifth trial) and then back to Pilate.

 The second time before Pilate is the occasion of the more extensive questioning of Jesus by Pilate, including the infamous question: “What is truth?” (John 18:38)

The final trial (before Pilate) is when the Jews choose Barabbas over Jesus.

About 10am: 

The crowds ask for Jesus to be crucified.

Jesus is scourged, crowned with thorns, cloaked in purple, and mocked.

Taking up the Cross, Jesus begins the journey to Golgotha.

A little before noon: 

Jesus reaches Golgotha, the place of the skull.

He is stripped and nailed to the Cross.

From noon until 3pm:

  Our Lord hangs, crucified upon the Cross. Darkness covers the land.

The seven words Jesus spoke from the cross are the following:

1. Luke 23:34: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

2. Luke 23:43: Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.

3. John 19:26–27: Woman, behold your son. Son, behold your mother

4. Matthew 27:46 & Mark 15:34 My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?

5. John 19:28: I thirst.

6. John 19:30: It is finished. (From the Greek "Tetelestai" which is also translated "It is accomplished", or "It is complete".)

7. Luke 23:46: Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.

3pm: 

Jesus dies. The veil of the Temple is split in two. The earth shakes.

To prove that our Lord has expired, the centurian thrusts a lance through Christ’s side – blood and water pour forth.

A little before 5pm: 

Joseph of Arimathea courageously goes to Pilate and requests the body of Jesus. 

Pilate is assured that Jesus is in fact dead. 

Jesus’ body is prepared for burial by Nicodemus, the women, and his Mother.

Our Savior is laid in the tomb. A stone is sealed across the entrance. 

Before 6pm:

The women return home, observe the Sabbath and prepare spices. 

Saturday

Saturday’s events are recorded in Matthew 27:62-66 

 The leadership request more security. Pilate grants the request by sealing the tomb and setting a guard.

Easter Sunday

Sunday's events are recorded in Matthew 28:1-13, Mark 16:1-14, Luke 24:1-49, and John 20:1-23.

 On Resurrection Sunday, or Easter, we reach the culmination of Holy Week. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most important event, the crux, you might say, of the Christian faith. The very foundation of all Christian doctrine hinges on the truth of this account.

 Early Sunday morning several women (Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Salome, and Mary the mother of James) went to the tomb and discovered that the large stone covering the entrance had been rolled away. An angel announced: "Don't be afraid! I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn't here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen." (Matthew 28:5-6)

 On the day of his resurrection, Jesus Christ made at least five appearances. Mark's Gospel says the first person to see him was Mary Magdalene. Jesus also appeared to Peter, to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, and later that day to all of the disciples except Thomas, while they were gathered in a house for prayer. 

Timeline of Jesus’ appearances on the first Easter

 Mary Magdalene

Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” (John 20:16-17)

 Other Women (possibly Mary of Clopas, Mary the mother of James and Joanna)

So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Hail!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” (Matthew 28:8-10)

 Two Disciples on the Road to Emmaus

That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. (Luke 24:13-43)

 Peter (The First Time)

“The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” (Luke 24:34)

 The Disciples (Without Thomas)

As they were saying this, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” (Luke 24:36)

 The eyewitness accounts in the Gospels provide what Christians believe to be undeniable evidence that the resurrection of Jesus Christ did indeed happen. Two millennia after his death, followers of Christ still flock to Jerusalem to see the empty tomb.

Just before 6am: 

Jesus rises from the dead.

6am: 

The women come to the tomb. 

The Lord had risen and come forth from the sealed tomb.

They find it empty.

Sources:

https://www.thoughtco.com/holy-week-timeline-700618

http://bibletrack.org/notes/resource/KJV%20Text/050622_parallel-1.html

https://aleteia.org/2018/04/07/how-many-times-did-jesus-appear-after-his-resurrection/