As Christians prepare for the celebration of Easter, the week leading up to it—known as Holy Week—is an important time of reflection, prayer, and reading of Scripture. This week marks the final days of Jesus’ earthly ministry, His suffering, death, and ultimately His resurrection. Each day of Holy Week offers profound insights into the life and purpose of Jesus Christ, giving believers a deeper understanding of His mission.
In this article, we will explore key Scriptures that are traditionally read during the week before Easter, beginning with Palm Sunday and continuing through Good Friday to Easter Sunday. These verses highlight significant moments in Jesus’ life and ministry, providing a framework for reflection on the depth of God‘s love and sacrifice.
1. Palm Sunday: The Triumphal Entry
Matthew 21:8-11
“A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ‘Hosanna in the highest heaven!’ When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, ‘Who is this?’ The crowds answered, ‘This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.'”
Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where the people welcomed Him as the King of Israel, waving palm branches and shouting “Hosanna.” This event marks the beginning of the final week of Jesus’ life, filled with both praise and impending suffering.
John 12:12-13
“The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel!'”
This passage from the Gospel of John emphasizes the public recognition of Jesus as the Messiah and King. However, it also sets the stage for the coming contrast between this public praise and the eventual rejection He would face from the same people.
2. Monday of Holy Week: The Cleansing of the Temple
Matthew 21:12-13
“Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. ‘It is written,’ he said to them, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.'”
On Monday of Holy Week, Jesus cleanses the temple, demonstrating His zeal for God’s holiness and the proper use of sacred space. His actions challenge the commercialization and corruption that had taken root within the religious system.
Mark 11:15-17
“On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, ‘Is it not written: “My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations”? But you have made it a den of robbers.'”
Mark’s account emphasizes that Jesus not only cleansed the temple but also taught that it should be a place of prayer, not a marketplace. This action points to the deeper issue of spiritual corruption in Israel.
3. Tuesday of Holy Week: The Challenge to Jesus’ Authority
Matthew 21:23-27
“Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. ‘By what authority are you doing these things?’ they asked. ‘And who gave you this authority?’ Jesus replied, ‘I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?’ They discussed it among themselves and said, ‘If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.’ So they answered Jesus, ‘We don’t know.’ Then he said, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.'”
On Tuesday, Jesus is confronted by the religious leaders questioning His authority. His response highlights the failure of the leaders to recognize the truth, and He continues teaching through parables, revealing the kingdom of God and the judgment that will come upon those who reject Him.
Luke 20:1-8
“One day as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts and proclaiming the good news, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to him. ‘Tell us by what authority you are doing these things,’ they said. ‘Who gave you this authority?’ He replied, ‘I will also ask you a question. Tell me, John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin?'”
Luke’s account echoes Matthew’s but also emphasizes the importance of the religious leaders’ inability to make a decision. Their failure to answer honestly reveals their unwillingness to submit to the truth.
4. Wednesday of Holy Week: The Plot to Kill Jesus
Matthew 26:3-5
“Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and they schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. ‘But not during the festival,’ they said, ‘or there may be a riot among the people.'”
Wednesday marks the beginning of the religious leaders’ plotting to arrest and kill Jesus. They feared the public reaction, knowing that Jesus was popular among the people, but their plans would unfold according to God’s timing.
Mark 14:1-2
“Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. ‘But not during the festival,’ they said, ‘or the people may riot.'”
The plot to kill Jesus intensifies on Wednesday, showing the growing tension and the leaders’ determination to eliminate Him, which ultimately leads to the betrayal by Judas.
5. Thursday of Holy Week: The Last Supper
Matthew 26:26-28
“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'”
Thursday is marked by the celebration of the Last Supper, where Jesus institutes the Eucharist or Holy Communion. This sacred meal points to His imminent sacrifice, symbolizing His body and blood, broken and poured out for the forgiveness of sins.
Luke 22:19-20
“And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.'”
Luke’s account emphasizes the institution of the New Covenant, a key moment in Jesus’ ministry that marks the beginning of the Church and its sacramental practice.
6. Friday of Holy Week: The Crucifixion of Jesus
Matthew 27:45-46
“From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ (which means ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’)”
Good Friday focuses on the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus. These verses highlight Jesus’ expression of abandonment and His fulfillment of Psalm 22, which speaks of His deep anguish on the cross.
Luke 23:33-34
“When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.'”
Luke’s account of the crucifixion presents Jesus’ words of forgiveness even as He suffers. This moment demonstrates the depth of His love, offering grace even to those who were executing Him.
7. Saturday of Holy Week: The Day of Waiting
Matthew 27:62-66
“The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. ‘Sir,’ they said, ‘we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, “After three days I will rise again.” So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.'”
On Holy Saturday, the religious leaders, fearing Jesus’ prediction of His resurrection, take precautions to secure the tomb. This moment of waiting serves as a reminder of the tension and anticipation before the resurrection.
Mark 15:46-47
“So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.”
Saturday is a quiet day of waiting, but it also marks the moment of burial. The women who loved Jesus witnessed where He was laid, preparing for the events of Sunday.
8. Sunday of Easter: The Resurrection of Jesus
Matthew 28:5-6
“The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.'”
Easter Sunday brings the triumphant resurrection of Jesus. The angel’s words declare the victory over death and the hope of eternal life, affirming that Jesus is risen and alive.
John 20:19-20
“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.”
John’s account captures the moment of Jesus’ first appearance to the disciples after His resurrection. It is a moment of peace and joy, confirming that death has been defeated.
Conclusion
This concludes Scriptures Read the Week Before Easter, spanning from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. Each verse is an invitation to reflect deeply on the significance of Christ’s final week and the incredible love He demonstrated for humanity through His suffering, death, and glorious resurrection. As we meditate on these Scriptures, let us prepare our hearts for the celebration of Easter, remembering the victory that was won for us on the cross and through the resurrection.
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