The Passion Week refers to the final six days of Jesus’ life before His resurrection, His one full day in the tomb, and the day of resurrection. It is called the Passion Week because the word passion comes from the Greek word pasxō, which means “to suffer.”1
Sunday: Day of Celebration
Matt 21:1–11, 14–17; Mark 11:1–11; Luke 19:29–44; John 12:12–19
Jesus began this day by going to Jerusalem and ended it by returning to the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus in Bethany. In between these times, the most notable event on this day was the triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
Monday: Day of Confrontation
Matt 21:18–19a, 12–13; Mark 11:12–18; Luke 19:45–48; John 12:20–50
Jesus went from Bethany to the temple in Jerusalem. At the day’s end, He either stayed on the Mount of Olives or returned all the way to Bethany. He cursed the fig tree, cleansed the time, and spoke of the Son of Man being lifted up in glory.
Tuesday: Day of Controversy
Matt 21:19b–25:46; Mark 11:19–13:37; Luke 20:1–Luke 21:36
Jesus again went to the temple in Jerusalem and assumedly returned to the Mount of Olives or Bethany at night. He repeatedly silenced the challenges by Israel’s leaders, rebuked them, told many parables, and taught on the end times on the Mount of Olives.
Wednesday: Day of Conspiracy
Matt 26:1–5, 14–16; Mark 14:1–2, 10–11; Luke 22:1–6
The chief priests and scribes plotted to kill Jesus. Later that day, Judas went to these leaders and promised to betray Jesus.
Thursday: Day of Consecration
Matt 26:17–35; Mark 14:12–31; Luke 22:7–38; John 13:1–17:26
Jesus and the twelve celebrated the Passover, the first Lord’s Supper. Jesus washed the disciples’ feet and gave His “farewell discourse.” He prayed for His disciples.
Friday: Day of Consummation
Matt 26:30–27:61; Mark 14:26–15:47; Luke 22:39–23:56; John 18:1–19:42
Jesus prayed in Gethsemane where He was arrested (approx. 12–3 A.M.). He was then on trial before the Jews and denied by Peter (approx. 3–6 A.M.). Just before 6 A.M., Jesus stood before the Sanhedrin. Judas committed suicide. Jesus was on trial before the Romans and was sentenced to crucifixion (approx. 6–9 A.M.). By this point, Jesus had been flogged twice. At 9:00 A.M., Jesus went to the cross and hung there until 3 P.M. He died, was taken down, and was buried.
Saturday: Day of Cessation
Matt 27:62–66
Jesus laid in the tomb for an entire day. Soldiers appointed by Jewish leaders guarded the tomb.
Sunday: Day of Conquest
Matt 28:1–15; Mark 16:1–7; Luke 24:2–35; John 20:1–17
Jesus arose! On this day, Jesus appeared four times.
About David Huffstutler
David pastors First Baptist Church in Rockford, IL, serves as a chaplain for his local police department, and teaches as adjunct faculty at Bob Jones University. David holds a Ph. D. in Applied Theology from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. His concentration in Christian Leadership focuses his contributions to pastoral and practical theology.
- The title for each day below comes from Don Howell, Jr., The Passion of the Servant: A Journey to the Cross (Eugene, OR: Resource Publications, 2009), 272–363. For another helpful resource, see also The Final Days of Jesus (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2014) by Andreas J. Köstenberger and Justin Tayler with Alexander Stuart. [↩]