Before the resurrection came the cross—and before the cross, a week of fulfillment, confrontation, and sorrow. Each Gospel captures different moments of this final week, but together they form one unfolding story. The following is a harmony of those events told day-by-day, beginning with Palm Sunday and ending with Jesus’ burial.
Palm Sunday
Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey, fulfilling prophecy and publicly declaring Himself as King. Crowds gather, waving palm branches and shouting “Hosanna!” Some Pharisees are troubled by the commotion, but Jesus says even the stones would cry out if the people were silent. As He approaches Jerusalem, Jesus weeps over the city, knowing it will reject Him and face judgment.
- Matt. 21:1–11; Mark 11:1–11; Luke 19:28–44; John 12:9–19
Monday
The next morning, Jesus curses a barren fig tree as a symbol of fruitless Israel. He then enters the temple courts and drives out the money changers, calling the temple a house of prayer that had become a den of robbers. The religious leaders begin to seek a way to destroy Him, but the people are astonished at His teaching.
- Matt. 21:12–22; Mark 11:12–19; Luke 19:45–48
Tuesday
Tuesday is filled with parables, debates, and prophecy. Jesus’ authority is questioned. He silences the Pharisees, Sadducees, and scribes with divine wisdom. He pronounces woes upon the religious elite and weeps again over Jerusalem. On the Mount of Olives, He gives a detailed prophecy about the destruction of the temple, the end times, and His return. Judas begins to consider betrayal.
- Matt. 21:23–26:5; Mark 11:27–14:2; Luke 20:1–22:2; John 12:37–50
Wednesday
The Gospels are relatively quiet about this day. Jesus likely spent time in Bethany with His disciples. Meanwhile, Judas Iscariot meets secretly with the chief priests and agrees to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.
- Matt. 26:6–16; Mark 14:3–11; Luke 22:3–6
Thursday
Jesus sends two disciples to prepare the Passover meal. That evening, He gathers with the Twelve, washes their feet, and reveals that one of them will betray Him. He institutes the Lord’s Supper, breaking bread and sharing wine as symbols of His body and blood. After singing a hymn, they go to Gethsemane, where Jesus agonizes in prayer. There, Judas arrives with soldiers. Jesus is arrested, deserted, and taken to trial. Peter denies Him.
- Matt. 26:17–75; Mark 14:12–72; Luke 22:7–71; John 13:1–18:27
Good Friday
Jesus stands trial before Pilate and Herod. Though declared innocent, He is sentenced to death to please the crowd. Beaten, mocked, and crowned with thorns, Jesus carries His cross to Golgotha. From the cross, He speaks words of forgiveness, promise, and anguish. After hours of suffering, He breathes His last. The curtain of the temple is torn. Joseph of Arimathea, with Nicodemus, buries Jesus in a nearby tomb before sunset.
- Matt. 27:1–61; Mark 15:1–47; Luke 23:1–56; John 18:28–19:42
Saturday
Jesus’ body lies in the tomb. The chief priests and Pharisees ask Pilate to seal the tomb and place a guard, fearing someone might steal the body. It is a day of waiting, silence, and fear.
- Matt. 27:62–66
As we reflect on the final week of Jesus’ life, we are reminded that every step He took was intentional—each moment filled with purpose, love, and sacrifice. From the praises of Palm Sunday to the agony of Gethsemane and the suffering of the cross, Jesus fulfilled the will of the Father to bring salvation to sinners. Let this week lead you to deeper worship, greater gratitude, and renewed commitment to follow Christ with the same surrender that led Him to the cross.
The story of Jesus continues. Read about the Resurrected Jesus in 20 sequential events synthesized from the gospels and Acts. This article was produced with help from The Final Days of Jesus available in most bookstores.
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