Tuesday: What Happened in Holy Week
Tuesday: Parables, Prophecies, and Public Debates
Below is a detailed account of what occurred on Tuesday. Although there might be some repetition or variation in the sequence, all three of the synoptic Gospels are in remarkable harmony when it comes to the final week of Jesus’ life.
Sometimes, locations and timestamps are not provided. However, their absence allows us to focus on Jesus' words rather than when or where he spoke them.
Outline:
- The Lesson of the Withered Fig Tree (Matthew 21:20–22, Mark 11:20–26).
- Jesus’ Authority Challenged (Matthew 21:23–27, Mark 11:27–33, Luke 20:1–8).
- Jesus taught in Parables: (Matthew 21:28–22:14, Mark 12:1–12, Luke 20:9–19). The Two Sons, The Wicked Tenants, The Wedding Feast
- Jesus Debates in Public: (Matthew 22:15–22, Mark 12:13–17, Luke 20:20–26). Paying Taxes, Question about Resurrection, The Greatest Commandment, the Messiah.
- Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 23:1–36, Mark 12:38–40, Luke 20:45–47).
- Jesus weeps over Jerusalem (Matthew 23:37–39).
- The Widow’s Offering (Mark 12:41–44, Luke 21:1–4).
Meditation
Tuesday of Holy Week was a day filled with intense teaching and confrontation in the Temple. Jesus, using parables and direct answers, challenged the religious leaders’ understanding of his identity and authority. He exposed their hypocrisy and emphasized the importance of genuine faith and obedience to God.
As we consider the events of this day, we should remember to read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest the teaching of Jesus, especially the parables from his last week. We should recommit to having humility and sincere devotion in our own lives. Like the widow who gave all she had, we are called to offer ourselves fully to God, trusting in his provision and grace. May we seek to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind and to love our neighbors as ourselves, recognizing these as the greatest commandments.
Additional Thoughts
- In what ways can we cultivate a heart of humble obedience and genuine faith, avoiding the pitfalls of hypocrisy and legalism exemplified by the religious leaders in Jesus’ day?
- How can we apply the lessons from the parables Jesus taught on this day (The Two Sons, The Wicked Tenants, and The Wedding Feast) to our lives, and what do they reveal about God’s character and expectations for his people?
Collect
O God, whose blessed Son taught the people in the temple and revealed the hypocrisy of the religious leaders: Grant us the wisdom to discern your truth and the courage to follow your way, that we may offer ourselves to you in humble obedience and sincere faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
David Roseberry writes posts and books on relevant topics applying biblical truth and wisdom. His work can be found at LeaderWorks, where he is Executive Director.
