Passion Week - What is it?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

When we hear the word "passion," we usually think of strong emotion or intense love, but the Latin passio originally meant to endure suffering. Passion Week encompasses both the strong emotion and the suffering of Christ. Passion Week, also called Holy Week, is the final week of Jesus’ earthly life, beginning with His triumphant entry into Jerusalem and ending with His resurrection celebrated on Easter Sunday. The Old Testament foreshadows this week through prophecies about the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53), the Passover lamb (Exodus 12), and the Messiah’s suffering and resurrection (Psalm 22; Psalm 16:10). During this week, Jesus fulfills these prophecies by enduring betrayal, trials, crucifixion, and death before rising again. Churches often observe key days like Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday to remember Jesus’ suffering and victory. While the Bible does not command a specific observance of Passion Week, reflecting on Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection is a meaningful practice for believers at any time.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The Old Testament does not explicitly mention "Passion Week" as a named event, but it contains many prophecies and foreshadowings related to the suffering, death, and resurrection of the Messiah, which Christians understand as fulfilled during Passion Week. For example, Isaiah 53 describes a servant who suffers, is pierced, and bears the sins of many, pointing to Jesus’ suffering and sacrificial death.
• The Passover lamb, whose blood protected Israel from death, foreshadows Jesus as the "Lamb of God" who takes away the sin of the world (Exodus 12; see John 1:29).
• Psalm 22 vividly depicts the suffering and mockery of the Messiah, echoing Jesus’ crucifixion experiences.
• Psalm 16:10 presents a prophecy that God’s Holy One would not see decay, understood by the New Testament as foretelling of Jesus’ resurrection.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Passion Week (or Holy Week) is the week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. In Jesus' life, the week began with the Triumphal Entry (Matthew 21:1-11) as He rode the colt of a donkey into Jerusalem while a hopeful crowd laid their cloaks and palm fronds on the ground before Him.
• Jesus explained that Gentiles were welcome to the Gospel (Matthew 22:1-14), that God-followers are citizens of the Kingdom of God first and always (Matthew 22:15-22), and that salvation is not salvation without eternal life (Matthew 22:23-46). Jesus also went into great detail about His return and our part in it—mainly that we are to eagerly await His return (Matthew 25). Passion Week proved all that He taught.
• Following several sham trials and brutal beatings through the night and into the next day, Jesus was finally crucified—nailed to a wooden cross by His hands and feet (Matthew 27:26-35; John 20:25). He hung there until He died later that day (Luke 23:44-46). He was placed in a tomb (Matthew 27:57-60), but when the tomb was opened three days later, His body was gone (Luke 24:1-3). He appeared to His followers and many others (1 Corinthians 15:5-8).
• Easter is the day on which Christians celebrate the empty tomb and Jesus’ resurrection (Mark 16:6). The entire week leading up to Easter displays the emotion and the suffering of Jesus, which is what is celebrated during Passion Week.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Passion Week begins with Palm Sunday. Though the crowds that celebrated Jesus' entry into Jerusalem were confused about the nature of the King and His Kingdom, we celebrate Jesus as King over all of creation and our individual lives. It is common in many churches for children to make a processional around the church, waving palm branches and shouting "Hosanna!"

Four days later is Maundy Thursday. Although we do not know the specific date of the crucifixion, Maundy Thursday is given as the day that Jesus had the Passover meal with His disciples. Some churches have a special Communion and foot-washing in honor of Jesus' command to eat in honor of Him (Luke 22:14-20) and serve one another (John 13:5-20).

Next is Good Friday. The "good" of Good Friday doesn't mean pleasant. It means that the conclusion is good—in this case, Jesus’ defeat of sin and death. The crucifixion that is honored on Good Friday certainly resulted in good for the whole world. Many churches hold a somber service on Good Friday, sometimes with a Communion service, to remember Christ's death.

In churches that celebrate Passion Week liturgically, Holy Saturday is observed as a day of rest in memory of the day Jesus "rested" in the grave. It is also a time to contemplate how dark the world would be if Jesus hadn't been resurrected. Few churches hold services on Holy Saturday.

Easter Sunday marks the end of Passion Week and the resolution of Jesus' suffering. It is common for Easter Sunday to be the biggest service of the year as Jesus-followers celebrate His resurrection. Nowhere does the Bible say to acknowledge or celebrate the events of Passion Week, but it is good to take time out of our lives to contemplate Jesus' suffering on our behalf. We can and should thank Jesus for His sacrifice and celebrate His resurrection at any time, more than just during Passion Week.

UNDERSTAND

• Passion Week marks Jesus’ final week, from His entry into Jerusalem to His resurrection on Easter.
• Passion Week includes Jesus’ suffering, death, and victory over sin.
• Believers observe key days of Passion Week to remember Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection.

REFLECT

• How do you respond emotionally and spiritually when you reflect on the suffering Jesus endured during Passion Week?
• What part of Jesus’ journey through Passion Week challenges you most in your daily walk with Him?
• How can you intentionally honor Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection in your life beyond Easter Sunday?

ENGAGE

• How do the Old Testament prophecies deepen our understanding of Passion Week’s significance?
• What do the things that Jesus endured and did during Passion Week reveal about God’s character and His plan of redemption?
• What practices or traditions during Passion Week help us stay focused on Jesus’ victory over sin and death?