Topical Encyclopedia
Overview:Holy Week is the most sacred week in the Christian liturgical calendar, commemorating the final week of Jesus Christ's earthly life, His passion, crucifixion, and resurrection. It begins with Palm Sunday and culminates in Easter Sunday. This week is a time of deep reflection, devotion, and anticipation for Christians worldwide, as it encapsulates the core events of the Gospel narrative.
Palm Sunday:Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, celebrating Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The Gospels recount how Jesus rode into the city on a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy of
Zechariah 9:9. The crowds welcomed Him with palm branches and shouts of "Hosanna!" as recorded in
Matthew 21:9 : "The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed were shouting: 'Hosanna to the Son of David!' 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!' 'Hosanna in the highest!'"
Holy Monday and Tuesday:These days are marked by Jesus' teachings and actions in Jerusalem. On Holy Monday, Jesus cleansed the temple, driving out the money changers, as described in
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 seats of those selling doves. And He declared to them, 'It is written: My house will be called a house of prayer. But you are making it a den of robbers.'"
On Holy Tuesday, Jesus engaged in debates with the religious leaders and delivered the Olivet Discourse, a prophetic sermon about the end times and His second coming (Matthew 24-25).
Holy Wednesday:Also known as Spy Wednesday, this day commemorates Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus. According to
Matthew 26:14-16 , "Then one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and asked, 'What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?' And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver. So from that time on Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus."
Maundy Thursday:Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper, where Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper (Eucharist) and washed the disciples' feet, demonstrating servanthood. In
Luke 22:19-20 , Jesus said, "And He took bread, gave thanks, 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 supper He took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.'"
Good Friday:Good Friday is the solemn day of Jesus' crucifixion and death. Christians reflect on the suffering and sacrifice of Christ, who bore the sins of humanity.
John 19:30 records Jesus' final words on the cross: "When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, 'It is finished.' And bowing His head, He yielded up His spirit."
Holy Saturday:Holy Saturday is a day of quiet reflection and mourning, as Jesus lay in the tomb. It is a time to contemplate the silence and anticipation before the joy of the resurrection.
Easter Sunday:Easter Sunday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the cornerstone of Christian faith. The resurrection signifies victory over sin and death, offering eternal life to believers. As recorded in
Matthew 28:5-6 , the angel at the tomb 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, see the place where He lay."
Significance:Holy Week is a profound period for Christians, inviting them to walk with Jesus through His passion, death, and resurrection. It is a time to deepen one's faith, reflect on the cost of redemption, and celebrate the hope and new life found in Christ.
Topical Bible Verses
1 Corinthians 5:7Purge out therefore the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, as you are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
Topicalbible.orgColossians 1:20
And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things to himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
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Hebrews 5:7
Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears to him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
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Library
Holy Week
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEARHoly Week. [537]143 All glory, laud, and honor
[538]144 The royal banners forward go [539]145 Ride on! ride...
Holy Week Responsories
... No. 170HOLY WEEK RESPONSORIES.HOLY WEEK RESPONSORIES In Monte Oliveti. For two
or four part Chorus Michael Haydn (1778) Edited and revised by NAM....
Ah,Holy Jesus, How Hast Thou Offended
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEARHoly Week 155. Ah,holy Jesus, how hast thou offended.
11.11.11.5 [586]Herzliebster: Johann Cr?�ger, 1640. [587]Ecce Jam Noctis:...
In the Cross of Christ I Glory
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEARHoly Week 152. In the cross of Christ I glory. 8.7.8.7
[579]Crucifixion: John Stainer, 1887. [580]Rathbun: Ithamar Conkey, 1851....
Glory be to Jesus
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEARHoly Week 162. Glory be to Jesus. 6.5.6.5 D [602]Caswall:
Freidrich Filitz, 1847. Italian; Tr. Edward Caswall, 1857; Alt....
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEARHoly Week 154. When I survey the wondrous cross. LM
[584]Rockingham: Second Supplement to Psalmody in Miniature; harm....
Ride On! Ride on in Majesty
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEARHoly Week 145. Ride on! ride on in majesty. LM [564]St. Drostane:
John B. Dykes, 1862. [565]Winchester New: Hamburg, 1690....
In the Hour of Trial
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEARHoly Week 147. In the hour of trial. 6.5.6.5 D
[569]Penitance: Spencer Lane, 1875. James Montgomery, 1854; Alt....
At the Cross Her Station Keeping
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEARHoly Week 161. At the cross her station keeping.
8.8.7.8.8.7 [600]Stabat Mater: Mayence, 1661. Latin, 12th cent.; Tr....
O Come and Mourn with Me Awhile
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEARHoly Week 153. O come and mourn with me awhile. LM [582]St.
Cross: John B. Dykes, 1861. Frederick William Faber, 1849; Alt....
Resources
What is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit? | GotQuestions.orgQuestions about the Holy Spirit (All) | GotQuestions.orgWhat is "Holy Blood, Holy Grail"? | GotQuestions.orgHoly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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