Holy Week Timeline: Celebrate the Events of Holy Week from the Bible

As Easter approaches, Christians worldwide prepare to celebrate Jesus’s resurrection, the cornerstone of our faith. But before Easter Sunday arrives, the Bible outlines a powerful sequence of events leading up to this miraculous day. This is Holy Week, a time filled with deep reflection and spiritual renewal.

From Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to His Last Supper, crucifixion, and ultimate resurrection, each day of Holy Week holds a meaningful place in the Bible. In this article, we’ll walk through the key events of Holy Week as described in Scripture and explore meaningful ways to honor them in your faith journey.

What Happens During Holy Week?

Easter Sunday is the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. It is considered the most important day of the year for Christians.

Holy Week is the week Christians remember Jesus’ death on the cross to pay the price for the sins of all the people of the world, as well as a remembrance of the events leading up to that day.

Let’s examine what Holy Week is and why you should honor it before celebrating Easter.

What is Holy Week?

When people use the term “Holy Week” (sometimes called “passion week”), they can refer to two different things.

“Holy Week” is sometimes referred to as the Biblical account of Jesus’ activities in Jerusalem during the week before his death on the cross. Much is recorded about Jesus’ last week on earth. Jesus came into the city of Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. (Because Jesus was Jewish, he celebrated Passover.)

What did Jesus do during Holy Week? Jesus taught, disputed with the Pharisees, prayed in the garden, was betrayed by Judas, and finally was arrested, tried, beaten, and killed outside the city walls of Jerusalem.

“Holy Week” is also used to refer to our modern-day remembrance of those events.

The terms “holy week” or “passion week” are not used in the Bible, so how you honor these events today is a personal determination.

What are the Days of Holy Week?

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday is the first day of Holy Week and the Sunday before Easter Sunday. It is sometimes also called The Triumphal Entry and is recorded in the Bible in Matthew 21.

Although Jesus is a true King in every way, he chose to enter Jerusalem humbly on a donkey. The people shouted, “Hosanna,” laid their coats on the ground before him, and waved palm branches.

On Palm Sunday, during the service in many churches, children walk in a palm parade for Jesus to remember this day. Come to church on this day because watching the kids in the palm parade is the sweetest!

Holy Monday

Many traditions commemorate Jesus’ cleansing of the temple on this day, as found in Matthew 21:12-13. Jesus drove out the sellers who were using God’s house for evil intentions.

While we don’t know if this happened precisely on Monday, it occurred during Jesus’ time in Jerusalem.

Holy Tuesday

On Tuesday, Jesus continued teaching, speaking of the withering fig tree, and visited the Mount of Olives (see Mark 11:20–13:37).

Holy (Spy) Wednesday

This day is traditionally called Spy Wednesday because it’s the day we remember Judas’ betrayal of Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. What a horrible act from someone who walked closely with Jesus during his earthly life.

Judging Judas is easy, but how often have we sold out, turning to earthly things as a quick fix instead of turning to our Savior?

Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday, or Holy Thursday, is when Jesus celebrated Passover with his disciples, also known as The Last Supper. During this meal, Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, or communion, which is recorded in Luke 22 and John 13.

During this meal, Jesus also washed the disciples’ feet and predicted that Judas and Peter would betray him.

Most church services on Maundy Thursday focus on the beginning of Holy Communion, as we observe it today. However, some churches have a foot washing service.

Good Friday

Good Friday is always the Friday before Easter Sunday, and it is the day when Jesus’ death on the cross is observed. Along with Easter Sunday, it is one of the most meaningful days in the Christian church. (However, it’s important to point out that it’s not the day itself that matters. Jesus’ death and resurrection are a free gift every day of the year. This is just the day we choose to remember His death.)

Read the story of Jesus’ death in Matthew 27, John 19, or Luke 23.

During a Good Friday worship service, solemn hymns are sung, and the church is dark. The altar area is bare or draped in black. Typically, worshipers leave the service without speaking.

If you have to choose one worship service besides Easter Sunday, I highly recommend Good Friday. Call me a little morbid, but I love the Good Friday worship service because of the somber reminder of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice for me.

Holy Saturday

Holy Saturday, or the Easter Vigil, marks the time Jesus was dead in the grave. This service is also somber but less so than Good Friday. It looks forward to the hope coming in the morning. Not as many churches offer a worship service on Holy Saturday, but some do.

Years ago, some churches offered an Easter Vigil that was indeed a vigil. They watched all night, worshiping, singing, and praying until Easter morning. This isn’t often done in today’s church, but what a beautiful tradition.

Why You Should Worship & Reflect During Holy Week

Many people are familiar with two main holidays in the Christian church: Christmas and Easter.

Christmas is when Christians celebrate Jesus’ birth, and Easter is when the church celebrates Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.

If you honor one or both of these holidays because you believe Jesus is God’s Son and is your Savior, that’s a significant step in your faith!

One way to grow deeper in your faith is to honor Holy Week. Why?

Your Spiritual Focus During Holy Week

Here are some ways to focus your heart and thoughts during Passion Week.

Appreciation

One way to explain why Holy Week is meaningful is to use the word appreciation. Each year, when I take time each day of this week to walk through a remembrance of what Jesus experienced and did for me, it provides me with a new understanding and insight into the gift of grace I have been given.

As a parent, I get incredibly frustrated when my kids take a gift or daily life blessing for granted. Sometimes, they assume food will be on the table, and the Christmas gifts will be under the tree on Christmas day.

I try different ways to show my kids that not everyone has the gifts they have been given, like pointing out areas where people go without food or reminding them of soldiers who gave their lives for our American freedom.

I remind my kids how hard their dad and I work to meet their needs. The food, clothing, and medical care don’t just appear for free. (Yes, I’m starting to sound like my father. Don’t get me started on when they leave the door open and let the heat or air conditioning out.)

Spiritual Wake-Up Call

Honoring the days of Holy Week is a spiritual wake-up call. Jesus did not have to walk down this terrible road, but He did it because He loves you.

Are you living your life for him? Reflect and consider this during Holy Week this year.

Plus, the celebration on Easter Sunday takes on a whole new meaning after experiencing the darkness and pain from the days before.

7 Ways to Make Holy Week Meaningful

There are many ways to honor Holy Week. Some people prefer personal, quiet reflections, and others find meaning in a group situation. A combination of both can also be powerful.

Here are some ideas for growing your faith by honoring Holy Week.

1. Worship

Attend worship services. Most traditional Christian churches (Methodist, Lutheran, Catholic) will have services on Thursday, Friday, and sometimes Saturday during Holy Week. Call or check the church websites for times.

Even if you aren’t a member, every church welcomes visitors to these services. Some Catholic churches provide a mass every day during Holy Week.

2. Pray

Many people set aside specific prayer time during Holy Week as they remember what Jesus did for them.

Here are some helpful resources:

• Bible Verses about Prayer
• 9 Ways to Pray During a Busy Day
• Prayer 101: Learning to Pray for Beginners

3. Read Scripture

Plan devotion and Bible reading time each day of Holy Week, primarily focusing on the life of Jesus.

Here are a couple of links, and see below for books and resources:

• Journey to the Cross: A Holy Week Devotional for Weight Loss and Wellness
• Family Bible Readings for Holy Week

• Bible Verses for Holy Week

• The story of Jesus’ death can be found in several places in the Bible, especially in the New Testament: Matthew 27, John 19, and Luke 23. Read the chapters before these to learn about what Jesus did in the days before his death.

4. Light Candles

Many people find lighting candles an essential part of their somber Lenten experience. Lenten candle wreaths, similar to Advent candle wreaths, are sometimes created. Single candles are also used to allow for darkness and to remember Jesus’s death.

5. Fast

Probably more common in the Catholic church, fasting is done as a spiritual discipline during Holy Week, as well as during Ash Wednesday and all of Lent.

Click here for five fasting prayers and Christian quotes on fasting, and 50 things you could give up for Lent this year.

6. Listen to Music

Music during Holy Week is usually somber, similar to what you would hear at a funeral. I have explained to my young children that the Good Friday worship service is like a funeral for Jesus.

Michael Card The Life is a neat collection of songs about the life of Jesus. I enjoy listening to these and pondering all Jesus did during his life on earth.

7. Choose Silence

Our world constantly bombards us with sound and distractions. It takes intentional effort to create moments of silence.

This year our family is going to do a technology fast for Holy Week. I suspect the house will be more quiet, which is perfect for a time of reflection and pondering.

What other ideas do you have about ways to honor Holy Week? Do you have helpful resources to share? List them in the comments below.

More Posts You Will Love

What is Ash Wednesday?

What is Lent?

How Do You Know Which Day is Easter?

What is The Meaning of Palm Sunday?

Resources for Lent

Holy Week and Easter — Martin Luther’s sermons

The Week That Led to Easter — Arch book for kids

Christ in Easter: A Family Celebration of Holy Week — by Billy Graham

Six Hours One Friday — Max Lucado