"He is not here: for He is risen"
Matthew 28:6
Easter
Study resources for Holy Week
Palm Sunday
Triumphal entry into Jerusalem
Mathew 21:6-11
By: Eric D. Huntsman
All four Gospels report the events of the triumphal entry. Jesus mourns over Jerusalem, his disciples procure a donkey, and crowds greet him with palm fronds.
Palm Sunday, 2023. digital art by Abby Knox
Monday
Cleansing the Temple
Mathew 21:12-16
By: John W. Welch
Several significant points are embedded in this instructive story as this parable takes the question of authority into divine realms. Involved here is no ordinary father, no ordinary vineyard, or any ordinary pair of sons.
By: Eric D. Huntsman
Jesus appears to have spent most of this day in the courts of the Temple, where he was questioned by the authorities and taught the people.
Easter Monday, 2023. digital art by Abby Knox
Tuesday
Teaching in Jerusalem
Mathew 21-23
By: Richard D. Draper
The revelation that flowed on Tuesday, two days after the triumphal entry, was mostly startling, and some of it was frightening.
By: Eric D. Huntsman
Jesus taught again in the temple, and the authorities attempted to catch Jesus in his words.
Easter Wednesday, 2023. digital art by Abby Knox
Wednesday
Continued Teaching
Mathew 24-25
By: Julie M. Smith
The main theme of Mark 14 concerns Jesus' identity. Significantly, each foray into that identity is literally surrounded by the idea of betraying Jesus.
By: S. Kent Brown
This part of the Gospels includes the story of the poor widow’s two mites placed interestingly before the sermon about the fate of Jerusalem.
By: Eric D. Huntsman
The Gospel of Mark allows three events on Wednesday: the plot of the Jewish leadership against Jesus, the story of an unnamed woman in Bethany anointing Jesus' head, and Judas' decision to betray Jesus.
Easter Tuesday, 2023. digital art by Abby Knox
Thursday
Passover Thursday
Mathew 26
By: Eric D. Huntsman
The Gospel of John enriches our understanding of the evets and teaching of Jesus' last night with passages that include Jesus' last discourses and his beautiful Intercessory Prayer (John 13:31-17:26)
By: Jeffrey R. Chadwick
While we can't be certain, evidence suggests that Jesus was crucified on a Thursday in the spring of AD 30, on the eve of Passover, the 14-day Jewish month Nisan, which in that year fell on April 6 in the old Julian calendar.
By: Eric D. Huntsman
John's account of the Last Supper contains unique elements recorded nowhere else.
By: Eric D. Huntsman
This day tells of the Last Supper, the sacrament instituted, the washing of the disciples feet, and most of all, the prayer and agony in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Passover Thursday 2, 2023. digital art by Abby Knox
Good Friday
Trial, Crucifixion, and Burial
Mathew 27:1-61
By: Gaye Strathearn
The events on the cross are in integral part of the Atonement. The cross, as the place of being “lifted up,” is a symbol of God’s great love for his children. We are asked to take up our cross as disciples of Christ. Jesus kept the signs of the crucifixion on his resurrected body.
By: John W. Welch
Why was Jesus killed? Who was responsible? Looking at the legal circumstances, it is clear that Jesus was in full control from beginning to end.
By: John W. Welch
Without seeing the raising of Lazarus as a background, it is hard to imagine a reason why a large multitude of people would have followed Jesus into Jerusalem shouting, “Hosanna! Save us now!” and why the chief priests turned the crowds away and were able to execute him so quickly.
By: John W. Welch
Looking deeply at John 18:29-30 shows why the accusation in that verse holds a key for understanding the legal cause of action and strategy of the chief priests in the proceedings against Jesus.
By: Eric D. Huntsman
Good Friday can be a tender and reflective time for individuals and families to pause and consider how Jesus, as our great high priests, offered himself as a sacrifice for us.
Good Friday, 2023. digital art by Abby Knox
Saturday
Christ's body lies in the tomb while his spirit ministers in the spirit world
Mathew 27:62-66, D&C 138
By: Eric D. Huntsman
The only event the gospels record for the day after the crucifixion is the posting of a guard at the tomb at the request of the chief priests and Pharisees (Matthew 27:62-66). Because this was ostensibly Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath, Jesus' family and friends stayed away from the tomb that day.
By: George S. Tate
In October 1918, Smith received a comforting vision of God's live and of Christ and saints ministering and preaching the gospel among the spirits of the dead. The vision teaches that the dead who repent will be redeemed and become heirs of salvation.
Easter Saturday, 2023. digital art by Abby Knox
Easter Sunday
The appearance of the resurrected Christ
Mathew 28:1-10
By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Pilate instructs the crowd to behold the man Jesus. Those who find a way to truly behold the Man find the doorway to life's greatest joys and the balm to life's most demanding despairs.
By: Dieter F. Uchtdorf
On Easter Sunday we celebrate the most long-awaited and glorious event in the history of the world. It is the day that changed everything.
By: D. Todd Christofferson
Elder Christofferson takes us back to the feelings of Jesus' followers as they felt confusion and grief after the Crucifixion.
By: Eric D. Huntsman
With the rays of the morning sun, the agony of Thursday, the pain and grief of Friday, and the separation of Saturday suddenly melted away in the joy of the first Easter.
Easter Sunday, 2023. digital art by Abby Knox