CFM: March 25–31
Videos and Podcasts
Video/ Podcast | Lesson Extension | Additional Materials |
Scripture Central | Insights Revisited: Easter | |
John W. Welch and Lynne Hilton Wilson | ||
Follow Him | Easter
| |
Line Upon Line | ||
Teaching with Power | | |
Don't Miss This | | |
Unshaken | ||
The Interpreter Foundation | ||
Teaching Helps with John Hilton | | |
Scripture Gems | | |
Come Follow Up | ||
Talking Scripture |
Resources and Insights about this Week's Lesson
This is the best time of the year, the flowers are starting to blossom, the weather is warming up, and there are so many wonderful ways to Celebrate the Savior. With Easter this weekend, followed by General Conference, there are a multitude of ways and opportunities to make this week especially meaningful.
Holy Week
Holy Week is also known as Passion Week among many in the Christian World. It commemorates the final days of Jesus Christ's life leading up to Easter, which includes his Crucifixion, and his Resurrection. Here is a brief summary of the traditional events outlined in Holy Week:
1. Palm Sunday: This day commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, where he was welcomed by crowds waving palm branches and shouting "Hosanna!" It marks the beginning of Holy Week.
2. Holy Monday: Some traditions reflect on Jesus cursing the fig tree on this day, symbolizing the judgment coming upon the unfruitful. Others commemorate Jesus' cleansing of the Temple, expelling the merchants and money changers.
3. Holy Tuesday: On this day, some traditions focus on Jesus’ predictions of his own death and teachings in Jerusalem, including the Olivet Discourse, where he speaks of the end times and his second coming.
4. Holy Wednesday (also known as Spy Wednesday): This day is traditionally associated with Judas Iscariot's plan to betray Jesus to the Sanhedrin, agreeing to show them a way to arrest him without causing a riot among the people.
5. Maundy Thursday (also known as Holy Thursday): This day commemorates the Last Supper, where Jesus shared the Passover meal with his disciples. It is named after the "mandatum" or commandment Jesus gave to love one another as he loved them. This day also remembers Jesus washing the disciples' feet, a symbol of service and humility.
6. Good Friday: This day commemorates the arrest, trial, crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus Christ. It is a solemn day, marked by prayer, fasting, and reflection on Jesus’ suffering and death.
7. Holy Saturday (also known as Silent Saturday): This day observes the time Jesus spent in the tomb. It is a day of reflection and waiting, the day between Jesus’ Crucifixion and his Resurrection.
8. Easter Sunday: This day celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, the cornerstone of Christian faith. It is the most joyful and celebratory day of the Christian calendar, marking the victory of life over death and the hope of eternal life.
A Revised Timeline:
Scholarly debate surrounds the chronology of Christ's final week, particularly regarding the traditional Friday crucifixion versus a proposed Thursday event. This revision, supported by biblical evidence and outlined in James Tabor's "The Last Days of Jesus: A Final 'Messianic' Meal" suggests a shift that aligns with Jewish customs and scriptural nuances.
Central to the argument is the misunderstanding of the term “Sabbath” which traditionally led to the assumption of a Friday crucifixion. Historical context and Gospel accounts, especially from John , indicate the existence of two consecutive Sabbath days due to the Passover falling on a Friday in the year 30 AD. This notion is bolstered by the use of "Sabbaths" in the plural in Matthew 28:1, suggesting multiple rest days.
The confusion arose because all the gospels say that there was a rush to get his (Christ's) body off the cross and buried before sundown because the “Sabbath” was near. Everyone assumed the reference to “the Sabbath” had to be Saturday, so the crucifixion must have been on a Friday. However, as Jews know, the day of Passover itself is also a “Sabbath” or rest day, no matter what weekday it falls on. In the year 30 AD Friday, the 15th of the Jewish month Nisan was also a Sabbath, so two Sabbaths occurred back to back, Friday and Saturday. Matthew seems to know this as he says that the women who visited Jesus’ tomb came early Sunday morning “after the Sabbaths” (Matthew 28:1 uses the plural form σαββάτων "of the Sabbaths," indicating two Sabbaths).
As is often the case, the gospel of John preserves a more accurate chronology of what went on. John specifies that the Wednesday night “last supper” was “before the festival of Passover” (John 13:1). He also notes that when Jesus’ accusers delivered him to be crucified on Thursday morning they would not enter Pilate’s courtyard because they would be defiled and would not be able to eat the Passover that evening (John 18:28). John knows that the Jews would be eating their traditional Seder meal Thursday evening. (John 19:31 (INT) also refers to the day of Preparation and the next day being a special Sabbath. The word preparation, Paraskevi, is the Greek name for Friday)
John’s Gospel timeline, places the Last Supper on Wednesday, before Passover, and suggests that Jesus was handed over for crucifixion on Thursday morning. This timing is significant as it more accurately aligns with prophecies Christ made about his death and resurrection, that, he would be dead for 3 days. Additionally, if this timeline is accurate, at the precise moment that Jesus died on the cross, around 3:00 PM, the temple lambs were being offered for sacrifice at the Temple Mount.
The difference in chronology does not undermine the events' significance but offers a clearer understanding through the lens of Jewish tradition. It addresses gaps in the Holy Week timeline and aligns with Christ's prophecy, making the narrative more coherent for those seeking deeper understanding. Ultimately, whether one adheres to the traditional or revised dates, the essence of the events remains unchanged, but this alternative perspective can enrich the comprehension of Christ’s life and the cultural backdrop of the events leading up to his crucifixion.
The outline below follows the alternative dates compiled from the different gospels.
Holy Week: Major Topics & Events
Major Events/ Doctrines | Location | Scripture Source | Cross-References | Videos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pre-Holy Week | | | | |
Arrival in Bethany, Raising of Lazarus | Bethany | John 11:1–44 (INT); 12:1–2, 9–11 (INT) | | |
Mary of Bethany Anoints Jesus' feet | Bethany | | ||
Judas Criticizes Mary, Jesus rebukes Judas | Bethany | | | |
Priests plot to kill Jesus and Lazarus | Jerusalem | | | |
Palm Sunday | | | | |
Colt: prophesy Fulfilled | Mount of Olives | Matthew 21:1-6 (INT), Mark 11:2-7 (INT), Luke 19:30-35, (INT), John 12:12–15 (INT) | Zechariah 9:9 (INT), 1 Kings 1:33 (INT) | |
Triumphal Entry | Jerusalem | Zechariah 9:9 (INT) | ||
Significance of Palm Branches & Hosanna Shout | Jerusalem | Matthew 21:8–11 (INT); Mark 11:9 (INT), John 12:13 (INT) | Phoinix, (תָּמָר Tamar, part of the traditions associated with Sukkot Lev 23:40-44 INT) Hosanna from יָשַׁע (H3467) and נָא (H4994) Psalms 118:25-26 (INT) | |
Pharisees disapprove | Jerusalem | Luke 19:39–40 (INT), John 12:19 (INT) | | |
Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem | Near Jerusalem | | ||
Jesus teaches Greek Investigators | Jerusalem | | | |
Discourse: Jesus sent by the Father | Jerusalem | | | |
Monday: Cleanses Temple | Temple | Matthew 21:12-16 (INT), Mark 11:15–19 (INT), Luke 19:45–48 (INT) | ||
Tuesday: Curses Fig Tree | Near Bethany | | | |
Priests challenge Jesus’ authority | Temple | Matthew 21:23–46 (INT), Mark 11:27–33 (INT), Luke 20:1–8 (INT) | | |
Parable: Two sons | Temple | | ||
Parable: Wicked husbandmen | Temple | Matthew 21:33–46 (INT), Mark 12:1–12 (INT), Luke 20:9–20 (INT) | | |
Parable: Wedding of a king’s son | Temple | Matthew 22:1–14 (INT), see Luke 14:1–24 (INT) | |
Tribute to Caesar: Pharisees and Herodians | Temple | Matthew 22:15–22 (INT), Mark 12:13–17 (INT), Luke 20:21–26 (INT) | | |
Marriage, seven husbands: Sadducees | Temple | Matthew 22:23–33 (INT), Mark 12:18–27 (INT), Luke 20:27–38 (INT) | | |
Great commandment: Pharisees | Temple | Matthew 22:34–40 (INT), Mark 12:28–31 (INT), Luke 10:25–37 (INT) | | |
Pharisees put to silence | Temple | Matthew 22:41–46 (INT), Mark 12:35–37 (INT), Luke 20:39–44 (INT) | | |
Widow’s mite | Temple | Mark 12:41–44 (INT), Luke 21:1–4 (INT) | | |
Denunciation of hypocrisy | Temple | Matthew 23:1–36 (INT), Mark 12:38–40 (INT), Luke 11:37–54 (INT); 18:9–14 (INT); 20:45–47 (INT) | | |
Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem | Near Jerusalem | Matthew 23:37–39 (INT), Luke 13:34–35 (INT) | | |
Olivet Discourse: Signs of Second Coming | Mount of Olives | Matthew 24 (INT), Mark 13 (INT), Luke 12:37–48 (INT); 17:20–37 (INT); 21:5–38 (INT) | ||
Parable: Ten virgins | Mount of Olives | Matthew 25:1–13 (INT), Luke see 12:35–36 (INT) | ||
Parable: Talents | Mount of Olives | | ||
Parable: Sheep, goats | Mount of Olives | | ||
Jesus Prophesied his Crucifixion in two days | Near Jerusalem | Matthew 26:2 (INT) | | |
Wednesday: Conspiracy at Caiaphas’s palace | Jerusalem, High Priest's house, see map below | Matthew 26:3–5 (INT), Mark 14:1–2 (INT) | | |
Feast with Simon the Pharisee | Bethany | | | |
An unnamed woman anointed Jesus. (Ordinance of High Priesthood, associated with Yom Kippur. Preparatory for Christ's Atoning Sacrifice.) | Bethany | Matthew 26:7–13 (INT), Mark 14:3–9 (INT), Luke 7:37–50 (INT) | | |
Judas’s conspiracy to betray Jesus | Jerusalem | Matthew 26:14–16 (INT), Mark 14:10–11 (INT), Luke 22:1–6 (INT) | | |
The first day of unleavened bread (According to the Synoptic Gospels) | Jerusalem | Matthew 26:17–19 (INT), Mark 14:12–16 (INT), Luke 22:7–13 (INT) | | |
Eve of the Passover (synoptic gospels conflict with John's account, and this is where the accounts get muddy) | Jerusalem | Matthew 26:20 (INT), Mark 14:17 (INT), Luke 22:13–14 (INT), John 13:1–2 (INT) | | |
Last Supper: | | | ||
Around 7:00 PM, after sundown, Jesus' Disciples participate in a Passover Seder | Jerusalem, Upper Room, see map below | Matthew 26:20 (INT), Mark 14:17 (INT), Luke 22:13–14 (INT), John 13:1–2 (INT) | | |
“One of you shall betray me” | Jerusalem, Upper Room | Matthew 26:21–24 (INT), Mark 14:18–21 (INT), Luke 22:21–23 (INT), John 13:18–22 (INT) | | Church Video: The Last Supper |
Judas identified | Jerusalem, Upper Room | Matthew 26:25 (INT), John 13:23–30 (INT) | | |
Sacrament instituted | Jerusalem, Upper Room | Matthew 26:26–29 (INT), Mark 14:22–25 (INT), Luke 22:15–20 (INT) | | |
Jesus washes disciples’ feet | Jerusalem, Upper Room | John 13:2–5 (INT) | | |
Peter’s protest | Jerusalem, Upper Room | John 13:6–12 (INT) | | |
Jesus’ example | Jerusalem, Upper Room | | | |
A new commandment | Jerusalem, Upper Room | John 13:31–35 (INT) | | |
Jesus comforts the disciples | Jerusalem, Upper Room | | | |
Another Comforter | Jerusalem, Upper Room | John 14:16–31 (INT) | | |
The True Vine | Jerusalem, Upper Room | | | |
Love one another | Jerusalem, Upper Room | | | |
Hatred of the world | Jerusalem, Upper Room | John 15:18–25 (INT) | | |
The Spirit of truth testifies | Jerusalem, Upper Room | John 15:26–27 (INT) | | |
Warnings to the Apostles | Jerusalem, Upper Room | | | |
Opposition: Joy and sorrow | Jerusalem, Upper Room | | | |
Prophecy: Flock to be scattered | Jerusalem, Upper Room | Matthew 26:31–32 (INT), Mark 14:27 (INT), John 16:31–33 (INT) | | |
Sang hymn before retiring to Gethsemane (probably around 10:00 PM) | Jerusalem, Upper Room | | The Great Hallel A traditional rendition of the Hallel being performed at the Western Wall | |
Jesus’ intercessory prayer | Jerusalem, Upper Room to Gethsemane | |
Thursday: Trial, the next morning | Jerusalem | Matthew 27:1 (INT), Mark 15:1 (INT), Luke 22:66 (INT), John 18:28 (INT) | | |
Hearing before Caiaphas | Jerusalem | Matthew 27:1 (INT), Mark 15:1 (INT), Luke 22:66–71 (INT), John 18:24 (INT), 28 (INT) | | |
Hearing before Pilate (around 6:30) | Jerusalem | Matthew 27:2 (INT), 11–14 (INT), Mark 15:1–5 (INT), Luke 23:1–6 (INT), John 18:28–38 (INT) | | |
Judas’s remorse and death | Temple | | | |
Hearing before Herod (sent around 7:00 am) | Jerusalem | | | |
Herod and soldiers mock Jesus | Jerusalem | Luke 23:11–12 (INT) | | |
Second hearing before Pilate | Antonia fortress, see map below | Matthew 27:15–31 (INT), Mark 15:6–15 (INT), Luke 23:11–17 (INT) | | |
Barabbas released (around 8:00 am compare with Yom Kippur scapegoat) | Antonia fortress | Matthew 27:15–21, 26 (INT), Mark 15:6–15 (INT), Luke 23:18–25 (INT), John 18:39–40 (INT) | | |
Pilate washed his hands to proclaim his innocence | Antonia fortress | | Church Video: Jesus Is Condemned Before Pilate, My Kingdom is Not of this World | |
Clothed in Purple Robes & Crown of Thorns | | Matthew 27:29 (INT), Mark 15:17 (INT), John 19:2 (INT) | ||
Jesus carries his own cross to Golgotha | Outside Jerusalem gates, actual site debated | Matthew 27:32–34 (INT), Mark 15:20–23 (INT), Luke 23:26–31 (INT), John 19:13–17 (INT) | | |
The Crucifixion Matthew says 3rd hour (9:00am) John says 6th hour (12:00 PM) | Calvary | Matthew 27:35–44 (INT), Mark 15:24–33 (INT), Luke 23:32–43 (INT), John 19:18–22 (INT) | Church Video: Jesus Is Scourged and Crucified | |
Jesus speaks to two theives | Calvary | Luke 23:39-43 (INT) | | |
Soldiers cast lots for Jesus’ robe | Calvary | | | |
The sign: King of the Jews | Calvary | | | |
Darkness for 3 hours | Calvary | | | |
Jesus offered vinegar to drink from a branch of hyssop | Calvary | BD | | |
Last Words: Jesus’ mother put in John’s care, | | John 19:26-27 (INT) | BD | |
Jesus calls out to his Father, "Eli, Elu, lama sabachthani?" | | | | |
Death of Jesus Christ (9th hour, around 3:00 PM, the same time that the Passover lambs at the Temple are being slain) | | | |
Earthquake: Veil of temple rent | Jerusalem | | | |
Pierced by a spear (around 3:15 PM) | Calvary | | | |
Passover scripture fulfilled | Calvary | | | |
Watchers near the cross | Calvary | | | |
Jesus’ burial (Around 4:00 PM in hasty preparation for the Passover Sabbath) | Near Jerusalem | | Church Video: Jesus Is Laid in a Tomb | |
Chief priests and Pharisees seal the tomb | Near Jerusalem | | | |
Beginning of Passover Sabbath, Thursday evening at sunset, around 7:00 PM.(night 1) | | | | |
Good Friday continuation of Passover until sunset on Friday evening (night 2) | | | | |
Saturday, 2nd Sabbath Day (night 3) | | | | |
Resurrection Morning: Sunday Earthquake, angels open tomb | | Church Video: Jesus Is Resurrected | ||
Women come to Tomb, find the stone rolled away, see the angels, and run to tell the apostles | | | | |
Peter and John run to the tomb | Near Jerusalem | | | |
Mary returns to the open tomb, “Woman, why weepest thou?” | Near Jerusalem | | | |
“Touch me not” | Near Jerusalem | | |
Disciples told but disbelieve | Near Jerusalem | | | |
Two Marys come to the tomb | Near Jerusalem | | | |
Angels: “He is risen” | Near Jerusalem | | | |
Women meet Jesus | Near Jerusalem | | | |
Officials bribe soldiers | Near Jerusalem | | | |
Jesus appears to two disciples | Emmaus | | ||
Two tell others who disbelieve | Jerusalem | | | |
Evening: Jesus appears to disciples | Jerusalem | | Church Videos: The Risen Lord Jesus Christ Appears to the Apostles | |
Thomas, absent, does not believe | Jerusalem | | | |
Eight days later: With Thomas | Jerusalem | |
Church Videos & Resources
The Last Supper (John 13: 1-35)
Jesus Warns Peter and Offers the Intercessory Prayer (Luke 22: 31-34)
The Savior Suffers in Gethsemane (Matthew 26: 36-57)
Jesus Is Tried by Caiaphas; Peter Denies Knowing Him (Matthew 26: 57-75)
Jesus Is Condemned Before Pilate (Matthew 27: 1-2, 11-25)
Jesus Is Scourged and Crucified (Matthew 27: 26-50)
Jesus Is Laid in a Tomb (Matthew 27: 57-60)
Jesus Is Resurrected (John 20: 3-18)
He Is Risen (John 20: 11-17)
For God So Loved the World (John 3:16)
The Risen Lord Jesus Christ Appears to the Apostles (Luke 24:36-41, 44-49)
Blessed Are They That Have Not Seen, and Yet Have Believed - Thomas of the Bible (John 20: 24-29)
Family Activities
Scripture Central
Know Whys
KnoWhy #671 How Does the Parable of the Willing and Unwilling Sons Teach about Christ?
KnoWhy #674 How Does Jesus’s Intercessory Prayer Point Us to the Temple?
KnoWhy #665 Why Are the Gospel Accounts of the Resurrection Credible?
KnoWhy #677 Why Did Christ Appear to Two Disciples on the Road to Emmaus?
KnoWhy #678 What Might Jesus Have Taught His Apostles for Forty Days?
Reading Plan
BYU’s RSC
Messages of Christ
Holy Week (This link takes you to Daniel's Blog site, and it has a fantastic overview with numerous videos that are excellent. I suggest binging them all!)
Video Tours of the Holy Land
Comments