Heard of Holy Week, but not really sure what happens in it or what it’s all about?
Discover the key events – and the underlying message – of Holy Week with this quick summary.
An important week-long event in the Christian calendar, Holy Week celebrates the death and miraculous rising of Jesus Christ, a Jewish teacher said to have lived roughly 2,000 years ago.
But are there any signs that show he really was a spiritual teacher back then? Explore the evidence for yourself with: Man or Myth? Is there evidence that Jesus existed?
The key days of Holy Week are:
But what are the days in Holy Week all about – and what events do they represent?
Ever heard of Palm Sunday? Wondering what it’s all about – and what early sources say Jesus did on Palm Sunday?
Falling a week before Easter Sunday, this day celebrates Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, the capital city of Israel. By this point, Jesus had made quite the name for himself. And, according to the book of Matthew, people flocked to see this influential teacher, preacher and so-called miracle maker:
‘A large crowd of people spread their cloaks on the road while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds walking in front of Jesus and those walking behind began to shout, “Praise to David’s Son! God bless him who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise God!”’ (Matthew 21.8–9).
As the week unfolds, you’ll discover that not everyone felt the same way about Jesus. But, at this point, he had a crowd of supporters, who laid down clothing to create the ancient equivalent of a ‘red carpet moment’ for him as he entered the city, waving what are traditionally portrayed as palm leaves (hence, the name.)
Familiar with the practice of Communion? It’s inspired by the second major event of Holy Week: Maundy Thursday.
But what happened on this day?
Even though, just a few chapters earlier, the Bible writers describe Jesus’ warm welcome into Jerusalem, tensions were rising.
As Jesus continued to challenge the status quo, religious leaders who’d been looking for a chance to arrest him found their opportunity. In exchange for 30 pieces of silver, one of Jesus’ close followers, Judas Iscariot, agreed to reveal Jesus’ identity to a group led by chief priests so they could arrest him. His arrest took place shortly after he’d shared a Passover meal with his close friends and followers.
But why is it called Maundy Thursday?
It’s taken from the Latin word, mandatum, which means ‘mandate’ – AKA ‘command’. This new mandate relates to the Christian practice of Communion, when people share bread and wine in a symbolic act that mirrors the way Jesus shared this supper with his friends, but also represents Jesus’ own sacrificial act, which is remembered on Good Friday.
Familiar with the phrase about there being two absolute certainties in life? The Bible shows that taxes were a major part of ancient Middle Eastern life too, but it tells a different story about death. And the depictions of Jesus’ life are central to understanding the theme of death within this epic collection of writings.
Sources from the time say that Jesus was put on trial and sentenced to death for making claims about who he was, and how people should live – claims some of his contemporaries agreed with, but others felt threatened by.
But why is a day about death called Good Friday?
It might be the last name you’d choose, but the word ‘good’ hints at the deeper meaning behind this event. Within Christian teachings, Jesus is good news – even through his death, which is seen a sacrificial act that comes with the promise of new life.
It's easy to view this as a bleak narrative about death, but the story doesn’t end here. And, as the story unfolds, death is replaced with life, and loss is replaced with hope.
How do you feel when you’re waiting for something? Are you filled with nerves, excitement, or a mixture of both?
For Christians, Holy Saturday is a day of waiting. The Bible writers didn’t spend much time explaining what happened the day after Jesus’ death, but they say he was buried in a tomb that was sealed with a large stone. It would have been a day of mourning for his family and friends.
Today, Holy Saturday is celebrated in different ways within the Christian calendar; some mark it with church services while others set out time for quiet reflection.
What gives you hope, even in the darkest times?
For Christians, Easter Sunday is one source of hope.
New Testament writings tell the story of two women – both called Mary, who knew Jesus well – who go to visit his grave. They're said to have experienced a violent earthquake before being visited by an angel, who told them that the tomb was empty: Jesus had risen from the dead.
Naturally, they were terrified and confused. But biblical writings say they then met Jesus for themselves, alive and well as the angel had said. They shared the news with Jesus’ closest followers, known as the disciples, who responded similarly to how the two women had at first; they were confused, and couldn’t believe it.
However, over time, Jesus appeared to them personally, including when two more of his followers were on their way to visit a village called Emmaus, documented in Luke 24. After this, the disciples grew to believe in the seemingly impossible: a miraculous rising.
The high point in the Easter story, this day continues to offer a message of hope to people today. After all, if a man can be brought back to life, is anything really beyond repair?
But what about Easter Monday?
You might be wondering: isn’t Easter Monday a part of Holy Week? And what’s said to have happened to Jesus on Easter Monday anyway?
Traditionally, this day isn’t viewed as a part of Holy Week, despite the fact that it’s known as ‘Easter Monday’, and is a bank holiday in lots of countries (acknowledging that Easter falls on a Sunday).
In the Bible, the events of Easter Monday – the day after the resurrection of Jesus – aren’t described. At least not in a day-by-day account. Instead, we get a description of the next 40 days, when Jesus is said to have lived alongside his friends before returning to heaven.
So, what’s so significant about Holy Week?
For Christians, this is the most important week in the Church calendar. Everything leads up to this event. It marks Jesus’ final days, his death, and his resurrection, a miraculous event that lies at the heart of the Christian faith.
But what does this ancient message of hope have to say to today? Rediscover the Easter story for yourself.
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Work, deadlines, the dating scene, the planet: Could an ancient story have something to say about the things that matter to you today?
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Wondering what Lent is and why it’s celebrated? Explore the inspiration behind the event – and whether it might have anything to offer you today.
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