What Happened to Jesus during Holy Week?

Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection are commemorated by Christians throughout Holy Week. It is a time when they reflect on Jesus’ life and death. The week includes five days of special significance.

Holy Week includes Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday.

Palm Sunday

On Palm Sunday, Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey to honour Passover in the first century. People greeted Jesus with cloaks and palm branches, proclaiming him to be the Son of David, according to the Gospel narrative (Matthew 21:5).

Palm Sunday is marked in many Christian churches by a blessing and a procession of palms.

Before Maundy Thursday, Jesus cursed a barren fig in Bethany, near Gethsemane. He uncovered unscrupulous money changers in the Temple’s courts.

He began tossing their tables and cleaning the Temple, declaring it a place of worship. From there, Jesus gave the Olivet Discourse to his followers on the Mount of Olives.

Jesus demonstrated his power over death by reviving Lazarus from the tomb.

Maundy Thursday

Peter and John were summoned from Bethany to Jerusalem’s Upper Room by Jesus on Maundy Thursday, the eve of Passover and the Last Supper.

As they prepared for Passover, Jesus tended to the feet of his followers. Jesus demonstrated Christian love by doing this modest deed. Foot-washing is now a common part of Maundy Thursday services in many congregations.

He was going to fulfill the purpose of Passover. He instructed his disciples to honor his sacrifice with bread and wine. In Gethsemane, Jesus wept with his followers.

Peter denied knowing Jesus three times before the rooster crow. Matt. 26:17–75; Mark 14:12–72; Luke 22:7–62; John 13:1-38

Good Friday

Good Friday is the hardest day of Holy Week. Christ’s last hours were perilous and terrible.

Jesus was wrongly accused, Mocked, Beated, and executed. After a series of sham trials, he was sentenced to death by crucifixion.

Before removing Christ, the military tortured and humiliated him. As they nailed Jesus on the wooden cross, Roman soldiers beat and insulted him.

From the crucifixion, Jesus spoke seven things. He began by saying, “Pardon them, Father, for they do not know.” Last but not least, he added, “Father, I offer you my spirit.”

According to the NIV, Jesus’ body was found in a tomb on Friday.

Holy Saturday

Jesus’ body stayed in the tomb, guarded by Roman soldiers all day Saturday, the Sabbath. After the Sabbath ended.

Nicodemus, a member of the Sanhedrin that executed Jesus Christ, prepared Christ’s body for burial. Joseph of Arimathea prepared Jesus’ corpse for burial. Both men came out of hiding after realizing Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah.