Holy Week is one of the most important periods for Christians, commemorating the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. To better understand these events and their significance, it’s useful to compare how they are narrated in the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Each of these books offers a unique perspective on the events that led to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.
We have made a comparison of the different gospel passages that narrate the Resurrection, with corresponding links to the biblical passages, in the table we’ve detailed meticulously in this post. From the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem to the moment of the resurrection, we will compare the variations in the accounts to gain a richer and deeper understanding of this Christian celebration.
HARMONY OF HOLY WEEK EVENTS |
|||||
| DAY | EVENT | MATTHEW | MARK | LUKE | JOHN |
|
Friday/ Saturday |
Jesus arrives in Bethany | 12:1 | |||
| Mary anoints Jesus | 12:2-8 | ||||
| A crowd goes to see Jesus | 12:9-11 | ||||
| Sunday | Triumphal entry into Jerusalem | 21:1-11 | 11:1-10 | 19:28-44 | 12:12-18 |
| Some Greeks seek Jesus | 12:20-36 | ||||
| Jesus enters the temple | 11:11 | ||||
| Jesus returns to Bethany | 21:17 | 11:11 | |||
| Monday | Jesus curses the fig tree | 21:18-19 | 11:12-14 | ||
| Jesus cleanses the temple | 21:12-13 | 11:15-17 | 19:45-46 | ||
| Jesus and the twelve return to Bethany | 11:19 | ||||
| Tuesday | The disciples see the withered fig tree on their way back | 21:20-22 | 11:20-21 | ||
| Controversies in the Jerusalem temple | 21:23-23:39 | 11:27-12:44 | 20:1-21:4 | ||
| Mount of Olives discourse on the way back to Bethany | 24:1-25:46 | 13:1-37 | 21:5-36 | ||
| Wednesday | Jesus continues teaching daily in the temple | 21:37-38 | |||
| The Sanhedrin conspires to kill Jesus | 26:3-5 | 14:1-2 | 22:1-2 | ||
|
Wednesday/ Thursday |
Preparations for Passover | 26:17-19 | 14:12-16 | 22:7-13 | |
| Thursday | Passover meal/Last Supper | 26:20-35 | 14:17-26 | 22:14-30 | |
| Upper room discourse | 13:1-17:26 | ||||
| Jesus prays in Gethsemane | 26:36-46 | 14:32-42 | 22:39-46 | ||
| Friday | Betrayal and arrest (after midnight) | 26:47-56 | 14:43-52 | 22:47-53 | 18:2-12 |
| Jewish trial: | |||||
|
18:13-14 | ||||
|
26:57-75 | 14:53-72 | 22:54-65 | 18:19-24 | |
|
27:1-2 | 15:1 | 22:66-71 | ||
| Roman trials: | |||||
|
27:2-14 | 15:2-5 | 23:1-5 | ||
|
23:6-12 | ||||
|
27:15-26 | 15:6-15 | 23:13-25 | 18:28-19:16 | |
| Crucifixion (approx. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) | 27:27-54 | 15:16-39 | 23:26-49 | 19:16-37 | |
| Burial (night) | 27:57-61 | 15:42-47 | 23:50-54 | 19:38-42 | |
| Sunday | Witnesses of the empty tomb | 28:1-8 | 16:1-8 | 24:1-12 | |
| Appearances of the risen Jesus | 28:9-20 | 16:9-20 | 24:13-53 | 20:1-21:25 | |
The Holy Week, according to the Gospels, shows us Jesus’ journey to the cross and His resurrection, a sacrifice made for our sins to offer the hope of salvation. The stories and details of these events teach us about the love and redemption that Jesus brought to the world.
If you want to change your life, we invite you to welcome God into your heart, as only Jesus Christ can make you a new person. For more information, visit our page MEET CHRIST.
