Holy Week, without the contradictions.

Purpose

The events of Holy Week follow a symbolic pattern that shows them as the fulfillment of what ancient fesitval-goers had been rehearsing for centuries.

Overview

The events of Passover and Holy Week are interconnected; it's narrated as a Torah-calendar revelation. In the feast season where Israel rehearses deliverance by the lamb, removal of leaven, and the firstfruits pledge of the coming harvest (Lev 23), the Gospels place Jesus' death, burial/rest, and resurrection in a sequence that matches those meanings. The apostles interpret it this way explicitly ("Christ our Passover," "firstfruits"). The point is that the story is told in festival grammar so that a festival-trained conscience could recognize the Messiah through the timing and meaning of the events. For this reason, the timing of these events does play an important role.

The Contradictions

If timing and sequence matters in this pattern, why are there so many contradictions within the narrative found in the Gospels? Why isn't it clear?

Was Jesus in the tomb for three days and three nights, or was he in the tomb for just 36 hours? Does it matter?

How could Jesus be on the cross at the third hour and in front of Pilate at the sixth hour?

Why do Matthew, Mark, and Luke say the Last Supper was a Passover meal when John says the Last Supper was a day before the Passover?

Why do Matthew and Mark say the disciples asked Jesus about Passover on the first day of the feast of Unleavened Bread when that feast starts after Passover?

As we study Holy Week in light of it following a pattern, all of these contradictions will be resolved.

What you need to understand

The events of Holy Week are part of an ancient pattern. This pattern itself testifies of Christ. Scripture teaches that physical works under the old covenant foreshadow the new covenant, and that all things given of God from the beginning of the world typify Christ.

Jesus would have orchestrated the final events in His life, including the timeline, to unfold in a very precise manner designed to bring closure to the the elements of the Old Law that pointed toward this moment.

"... the physical works of the law under the old covenant foreshadow the good things promised by the new covenant" (Hebrews 10:1)
"... all things which have been given of God from the beginning of the world, unto man, are the typifying of Christ" (2 Nephi 11:4)

God didn't just predict the Messiah with words. He rehearsed Him with holidays. Israel's festivals are like an annual "training course" in deliverance, cleansing, rest, and resurrection. When the actual event happens, those who are paying attention recognize it.

How This Site Works
Step 1

Understand the background

Use Topics to understand concepts such as date behavior, passover, and patterns

Step 2

Track the pattern

Passover rites illuminate the timing of the Last Supper, crucifixion, and burial.

Step 3

Follow the days

Each day gets a focused page with key events, meaning, and references.

Start Here