Holy Week is the eight days from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, when Jesus entered Jerusalem, taught in the temple, shared the Last Supper, was arrested, crucified on Good Friday, and rose on the third day. As Paul sums it up, Jesus died for our sins and rose again on day three, just as the Scriptures promised (see 1 Corinthians 15:3-4). In 2027, Holy Week runs March 21-28.
Key Takeaways
- About a third of the Gospels focus on Jesus’ last week.
- Jesus entered Jerusalem as the humble King, fulfilling Zechariah 9:9.
- The Last Supper was a Passover meal, and Jesus is the true Passover Lamb.
- Jesus was crucified on Friday and rose on Sunday, the week’s opening day.
- Some days (especially Wednesday) have fewer details, and scholars differ on exact order.
A Note on the Timeline
The four Gospels give complementary eyewitness accounts. They agree on the big events: the entry, the Last Supper, the arrest, the crucifixion on the eve of the Sabbath, and the empty tomb on Sunday. Placing some events on exact days involves careful reconstruction, so the outline below follows a common evangelical harmony.
Sunday: The Triumphal Entry (Palm Sunday)
Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey as crowds wave palm branches and shout Hosanna (Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-19). He fulfills Zechariah 9:9. Luke records that Jesus wept over the city (Luke 19:41). 2027: March 21
Monday: The Fig Tree and the Temple
Jesus curses a fruitless fig tree, a picture of judgment on fruitless religion, and drives out the money-changers, reminding them that God’s house was meant to be a place of prayer (Matthew 21:12-19; Mark 11:12-19).
Tuesday: Teaching and Controversy
A long day of teaching in the temple. Leaders challenge his authority; Jesus tells parables (the two sons, the tenants, the wedding feast), answers questions about taxes, resurrection, and the greatest commandment, and warns against the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 21:23-23:39; Mark 11:27-12:44). On the Olivet hillside he teaches about how this age will end (Matthew 24-25; Mark 13).
Wednesday: The Plot
The Gospels say little. The leaders plot to kill Jesus, and Judas agrees to betray him for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:3-5, 14-16). Many place the anointing at Bethany nearby (John 12:1-8 dates it six days before Passover).
Thursday: The Last Supper and Gethsemane (Maundy Thursday)
Jesus shares the Passover meal with the Twelve, washes their feet (John 13:1-17), predicts his betrayal, and institutes the Lord’s Supper, giving the bread as his body and the cup as his blood of the covenant (Matthew 26:26-28). He gives the new commandment (John 13:34), teaches in the upper room (John 14-16), and prays for his disciples (John 17). In Gethsemane he prays, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39, ESV). Late that night he’s arrested. 2027: March 25
Friday: Trials and Crucifixion (Good Friday)
Overnight and at dawn, Jesus is tried before Annas, Caiaphas, and the Sanhedrin; Peter denies him three times. He’s taken to Pilate, sent to Herod, then back to Pilate, who releases Barabbas and hands Jesus over (Luke 23:1-25; John 18:28-19:16). He’s crucified at Golgotha about nine in the morning (Mark 15:25). Darkness covers the land from noon to three. Jesus cries out that it is finished (John 19:30) and dies. He’s buried by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus before sundown. 2027: March 26
Saturday: In the Tomb
Jesus’ body lies in the tomb on the Sabbath. The leaders ask Pilate to seal it and post a guard (Matthew 27:62-66).
Sunday: The Resurrection (Easter)
Early in the morning, women find the stone rolled away. Angels announce that he is not there, because he has risen just as he said (Matthew 28:6). Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18), to two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35), and to the disciples that evening (John 20:19-23). 2027: March 28
Why Holy Week Matters
Every day of this week moves toward the cross and the empty tomb. Jesus wasn’t a victim of circumstances; he resolutely headed for Jerusalem (Luke 9:51). He died as the Passover Lamb for our sins and rose to give us new life. Walking through Holy Week helps us slow down and see what it cost.
How to Use This Timeline
Read the passages for each day during Holy Week 2027. Families can read one short section each evening, starting with Palm Sunday.
To see how this fits the whole week from the triumphal entry to the empty tomb, read our Easter story Bible study.
Related Bible studies
- Gospel Bible Studies: Free Gospel Bible studies on the life and teaching of Jesus: the Sermon on the Mount, the parables, His miracles, and the Great Commission, explained passage by passage.
- It Is Finished Meaning: It is finished meaning: a John 19 study of the crucifixion, the fulfilled Scriptures, and tetelestai, Jesus’ cry of a completed work.
- John 20 Bible Study: Empty tomb Bible study (John 20:1-18): Peter and John race to the grave, and the risen Jesus calls Mary Magdalene by name.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened each day of Holy Week?
Sunday: the triumphal entry. Monday: Jesus clears the temple. Tuesday: teaching and debates in the temple. Wednesday: Judas agrees to betray him. Thursday: the Last Supper, Gethsemane, and arrest. Friday: trials, crucifixion, and burial. Saturday: Jesus lies in the tomb. Sunday: he rises from the dead (Matthew 21-28).
When is Holy Week 2027?
Holy Week 2027 begins on Palm Sunday, March 21, and ends on Easter Sunday, March 28. Maundy Thursday is March 25 and Good Friday is March 26. It’s the final week of Lent, which starts on Ash Wednesday, February 10, 2027.
Why is it called Maundy Thursday?
Maundy comes from the Latin mandatum, meaning commandment. On that night Jesus washed his disciples’ feet and gave them a new commandment: to love one another as he had loved them (John 13:34).
Why is Good Friday called “good”?
It’s called good because on that day Jesus died for our sins and accomplished our salvation. What looked like defeat was victory. Isaiah 53:5 foretold that the Servant would be wounded for our sins, and that his wounds would bring us healing. The day is sorrowful and good at the same time.
Why did Matthew, Mark, Luke and John each write a Gospel?
Each writer gave a distinct, reliable witness for a different audience. Matthew shows Jesus as Israel’s promised Messiah, Mark gives a fast-moving account, Luke writes an orderly history for Gentiles, and John explains who Jesus is so readers may believe. Four witnesses together give a fuller, confirmed picture of one Lord (John 20:31).
A Prayer for Holy Week
Lord Jesus, you walked resolutely toward Jerusalem for me. As I walk through this week, help me see your humility, your love, and your sacrifice. Thank you for the cross and the empty tomb. Let me worship you as the King who died and rose again. Amen.
Related: Holy Week Devotional
Related: read: Road to Emmaus Devotional
Related: our devotional: Good Friday Devotional
Related: Easter Devotional for Families (Bible study)
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved.