Skip to main content

Holy Monday



Today is Holy Monday, the second day of Holy Week. During Holy Week, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday are the days most widely remembered and observed by the Church and Christians. The other days often receive less attention. Additionally, the Gospels are not entirely clear about the exact order of events during these holy days, which has led to varying interpretations among scholars. In this blog, we aim to identify and highlight the most notable and recognizable events of Holy Monday.

Events
Reference
Jesus curses the fig  tree
Matthew 21:18-19, Mark 11:18

Jesus cleans the temple
Matthew 21:12-13,
Mark 11:15-18, Luke 19:45-48
Certain Greeks ask to see Jesus
John 12:20-36
Jesus rebukes unbelief
John 12: 37-50
Jesus return to Bethany
Mark 11:19

When Did Jesus Cleanse the Temple?

When we read about Jesus cleansing the temple, we notice that the Gospel writers place this event on different days. John mentions it at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry (John 2:13), while the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) record it during Holy Week.

In the Gospel of Matthew, it appears that Jesus cleansed the temple on the same day He entered Jerusalem (Palm Sunday). However, in Mark’s Gospel, the event is placed on the following day—Holy Monday—suggesting a possible contradiction. Some scholars believe that Jesus cleansed the temple twice: once at the beginning of His ministry and again during Holy Week.

According to Mark, the cleansing happened on Monday, as his narrative follows a chronological sequence. On the other hand, Matthew likely presents the events thematically, not in strict chronological order.

Why Did Jesus Cleanse the Temple?

When Jesus entered the temple, He saw people selling animals and exchanging money. Who were they, and what were they selling? The merchants were selling animals such as cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices, and the money changers were exchanging foreign currency into the local currency, the shekel.

According to Nehemiah 10:33–34, every Jew was required to pay a yearly temple tax in shekels. However, the system of selling and money-changing had become corrupt and exploitative. Worse, all of this was happening inside the temple courts, a place meant for worship.

So Jesus said, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations, but you have made it a den of robbers.”

Thought for the Day

Christianity is a faith rooted in love. Throughout Jesus’ life, we see Him demonstrating love in all circumstances. When the woman caught in adultery was brought to Him, Jesus didn’t condemn her. Instead, He said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and sin no more.”

In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us, “Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.” Forgiveness is central to Jesus’ teachings. But in this particular event—Jesus cleansing the temple—His response to injustice was strong and different.

How do we apply this to our own context? We live in a society where over 30% of people live below the poverty line, earning less than ₹128 per day. At the same time, over 62% of Indians have paid a bribe to a public official just to get basic services done. We need to reflect critically on the injustice around us.

Romans 12:2 reminds us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” Amen.


---

Holy Tuesday Scripture Reading: Luke 20:1–47

You may also read:
Matthew 21:19–46; chapters 22–25
Mark 11:20–33; chapters 12–13
Luke 21

Tomorrow's Holy Tuesday Blog will be published at 6:00 a.m.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

HOLY TUESDAY

We are now on the third day of Holy Week — Holy Tuesday. On this day, several key events in the life and ministry of Jesus are recorded. Jesus once again traveled from Bethany to Jerusalem. Upon reaching the temple, He spent time teaching and engaging in deep conversations with the religious leaders, while also sharing powerful lessons with His followers. Here is a summary of the significant events and teachings from Holy Tuesday: --- 1. The Withered Fig Tree (Matthew 21:19–22, Mark 11:20–26, Luke 21:37–38) As Jesus and His disciples were on their way to Jerusalem, they noticed the fig tree Jesus had cursed the previous day had completely withered. The disciples were amazed, and Jesus used the moment to teach them about having faith without doubt. --- 2. Jesus' Authority Questioned (Matthew 21:23–27, Mark 11:27–33, Luke 20:1–8) When Jesus arrived at the temple and began teaching, the religious leaders confronted Him, questioning His authority. Instead of giving them a direct answer...
1 comment
Read more

Holy Thursday

Holy Thursday Today is the fifth day of Holy Week, also known as Maundy Thursday. The word Maundy comes from the Latin word mandatum, meaning "command." It refers to the instructions Jesus gave His disciples during the Last Supper. This is a deeply significant day for the Christian Church to remember and reflect upon. Here are the key events that took place on Maundy Thursday: 1. Preparation for the Passover (Matthew 26:17–19, Mark 14:12–16, Luke 22:7–13) The disciples prepare the place and the meal, following Jesus’ instructions. 2. Jesus and the Disciples Gather for the Passover Feast (Matthew 26:20, Mark 14:17, Luke 22:14–16, John 13:1) That evening, likely around 6 p.m., Jesus and the twelve disciples gathered in the upper room to celebrate the Passover. 3. The Disciples Argue Over Who Is the Greatest (Luke 22:24–30) While gathered, the disciples began arguing about who among them was the greatest. Jesus responded, saying, “The greatest among you should be like the younge...
2 comments
Read more