Matthew 21:1-46

The Triumphal Entry. Cleansing of the Temple

Chronology of the Last Week of Christ's Life, commonly called Holy Week (chiefly after Hastings' 'Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels').

Sabbath, Nisan 8. Arrival at Bethany (John 12:1). Supper in the evening (John 12:2; Matthew 26:6, where see notes).

Palm Sunday, Nisan 9. Triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1). The children's Hosannas, and healings in the Temple (Matthew 21:14). Return to Bethany (Matthew 21:17).

Monday, Nisan 10. Return from Bethany (Matthew 21:18). Blasting of the fig tree (Matthew 21:19). Cleansing of the Temple (Matthew 21:12, where see notes). Retires to Bethany (Mark 11:19). Conspiracy of His enemies (Luke 19:47).

Tuesday, Nisan 11. Returning early He finds fig tree withered (Mark 11:20). His authority to teach questioned. The tribute money. The brother's wife. The first commandment of all. 'What think ye of Christ?' (Matthew 21:22). Woes on the Pharisees (Matthew 23). Jesus in the Treasury. The widow's mite (Mark 12:41). Visit of the Greeks (John 12:20). Christ finally rejected (John 12:37). Lament over Jerusalem (Matthew 23:37). Great prophecy of the fall of Jerusalem, and the Second Advent of the Son of man, followed by parables concerning the judgment (Matthew 24:25). Counsel of Caiaphas (Matthew 26:3).

Wednesday, Nisan 12. This day was probably spent in retirement at Bethany (cp. John 12:36). On the evening of this day some place the supper at Bethany at which Jesus was anointed (Mark 14:1; Matthew 26:6), but see above, Nisan 8. The bargain of Judas (Matthew 26:14).

Thursday, Nisan 13. In the afternoon preparations for the last supper (Matthew 26:17). In the evening, the last supper with the Twelve in the upper room (Matthew 26:20). The feet-washing (John 13:2). Departure of Judas. Institution of the Holy Communion (Matthew 26:26). Discourses in the upper room (John 13:31 to John 14:31). Departure from the upper room (John 14:31). Allegory of the Vine (John 15:1). The Comforter promised (John 16). Christ's high-priestly prayer(John 17). Gethsemane (Matthew 26:37). The agony lasts 'one hour' (Mark 14:37).

Good Friday, Nisan 14. About midnight Jesus is arrested (Matthew 26:47). Preliminary trial before Annas (John 18:13). Peter's denials, about 3 a.m. (John 18:27). Jesus sent to Caiaphas (John 18:24). Trial before the Sanhedrin at daybreak, about 4 a.m. (Matthew 27:1). Sent to Pilate, about 6 a.m. (Matthew 27:2), from Pilate to Herod (Luke 23:7), and back to Pilate (Luke 23:11). Delivered to be crucified (John 19:16). Jesus crucified, 9 a.m. (see Mark 15:25, but contrast John 19:14, 'about the sixth hour'). Darkness from 12 noon to 3 p.m. (Matthew 27:45). Death of Jesus, 3 p.m. (Matthew 27:50). (The paschal lambs were being sacrificed in the Temple at the time of Christ's death, cp. John 19:36. In the evening was the Jewish Passover. Our Lord, knowing that His death was imminent, had eaten it the night before.) Burial of Jesus (Matthew 27:57).

Easter Eve, Nisan 15. The first day of unleavened bread and the sabbath (John 19:31). The sepulchre sealed (Matthew 27:62).

Easter Day, Nisan 16. The resurrection very early (Mark 16:9, etc.). Visit of the women to the sepulchre (Matthew 28:1). Visit of Peterand John to the sepulchre (John 20:3). Appearance to Mary Magdalene (John 20:11). In the afternoon appearances to the two disciples (Luke 24:13), and to Peter (Luke 24:34). In the evening appearance to the apostles, Thomas being absent (Luke 24:36; John 20:19).