Holy Tuesday is the Tuesday of Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter. It comes after Palm Sunday, which celebrates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and before Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, which commemorate the Last Supper, crucifixion, and death of Jesus Christ. Holy Tuesday is packed full of events that set the stage for the passion and resurrection of Jesus.
On Holy Tuesday, Jesus returned to Jerusalem after spending the night in Bethany. When Jesus arrived in Jerusalem, he was confronted by the Pharisees and Sadducees who questioned his authority (Matthew 21:23-27). Jesus responded by telling the parable of the two sons (Matthew 21:28-32) and the parable of the wicked tenants (Matthew 21:33-46). Both of these parables condemned the religious leaders for failing to believe John the Baptist and Jesus.
After confronting the religious leaders, Jesus left the Temple. As he was walking away, his disciples pointed out how impressive the temple complex was. Jesus responded by telling the disciples that the buildings would all be destroyed (Matthew 24:1-2). This prophecy was fulfilled in AD 70 when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple.
Outside the Temple, Jesus taught in the Temple courts and continued his confrontations with the religious leaders (Luke 20:1-47). The Pharisees, Herodians, and Sadducees all tried to trap Jesus with tricky questions, but he evaded their traps and revealed their hypocrisy.
In the evening Jesus left the crowds and the city and went to Bethany, probably to stay at the house of his friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.
While the events of Holy Tuesday are not as well known as the events of Holy Week that follow, Holy Tuesday sets the stage for the passion and resurrection narrative. On this day, Jesus asserted his authority and was tested by his enemies. He predicted the destruction of the Temple, signifying the end of the old covenant. Holy Tuesday marks a turning point as opposition to Jesus grows and tensions rise heading into the Easter events of betrayal, Last Supper, crucifixion and resurrection.
Here are some key details about the events of Holy Tuesday:
– Jesus returns to Jerusalem after spending the night in Bethany (Matthew 21:17)
– Jesus is confronted by Pharisees and Sadducees who question his authority (Matthew 21:23-27)
– Jesus responds with the Parable of the Two Sons and the Parable of the Wicked Tenants (Matthew 21:28-46)
– Jesus leaves the Temple and predicts its future destruction (Matthew 24:1-2)
– Jesus teaches extensively in the Temple courts (Luke 20:1a)
– Pharisees, Herodians, and Sadducees try to trap Jesus with questions (Luke 20:1-47)
– Jesus evades their traps and reveals their hypocrisy
– Jesus leaves Jerusalem and spends the night in Bethany (Mark 11:19)
The Parable of the Two Sons (Matthew 21:28-32):
In this parable, a father asks his two sons to go work in his vineyard. The first son refuses, but later has a change of heart and goes. The second son agrees to go work but never actually does. Jesus explains that the first son represents the outcasts who ultimately believed John the Baptist and repented of their sins. The second son represents the religious leaders who claimed to follow God but did not believe John and would not repent.
The Parable of the Wicked Tenants (Matthew 21:33-46):
Jesus tells a parable about a landowner who leased his vineyard to tenants and left. When it was time to collect the harvest, he sent servants to collect it, but the tenants beat and killed them. Finally, the landowner sent his son, but the tenants killed him too. Jesus explains that he is the son and the religious leaders are the wicked tenants. Therefore, the kingdom will be taken from them and given to those who obey God.
Destruction of the Temple Foretold (Matthew 24:1-2):
As Jesus left the Temple complex, his disciples pointed out its impressive buildings. Shockingly, Jesus responded that the Temple buildings would all be completely demolished at some point in the future. This prophecy was fulfilled around 40 years later in AD 70 when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple during the Jewish-Roman War.
Confrontations in the Temple (Luke 20:1-47):
Back in the Temple courts, Jesus was confronted by several groups of Jewish religious leaders trying to trap him:
– The chief priests, scribes, and elders demanded to know what authority Jesus had to teach and act as he did (Luke 20:1-8). Jesus cleverly answered their question with a question about John the Baptist’s authority.
– Next the Pharisees and Herodians tried to trap Jesus about paying taxes to Caesar (Luke 20:20-26). Jesus answered “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
– The Sadducees, who denied any resurrection of the dead, posed a trick question about marriage after the resurrection (Luke 20:27-40). Jesus refuted them by explaining that marriage does not apply to resurrected beings.
– A lawyer asked Jesus about the greatest commandment (Luke 20:41-44). Jesus answered to love God and love your neighbor.
– Jesus then criticized the scribes for seeking prestige and honor for themselves (Luke 20:45-47).
So in summary, Holy Tuesday saw Jesus assert his authority in Jerusalem through his teachings and responses to confrontation. He predicted the destruction of the Temple and further developed themes of judgment upon the unbelieving religious leaders. As opposition grew, Holy Tuesday marks a transition point as Jesus set his face toward the cross in the days ahead.
Some key themes and truths about Jesus emerge from the events and teachings of Holy Tuesday:
– Jesus possesses divine authority from God as Messiah, despite being rejected by religious leaders
– The religious leaders who should have believed in Jesus were hypocritical and corrupt, opposing God’s purposes
– Judgment will come upon Israel’s leaders for rejecting Jesus, including destruction of the Temple
– The Kingdom of God will be given to those who have faith in Jesus, not only the Jewish leaders
– Jesus is greater than the Temple and will establish a new way to God through his death and resurrection
– Jesus is the Son of God as foretold in Scripture, now revealing himself to Israel before his crucifixion
– Jesus pronounces condemnation on the unbelieving generation of Israel, both through his words and the future destruction of Jerusalem
So in summary, Holy Tuesday is a pivot point marking the heightening of conflict as Jesus engaged in spiritual warfare with the religious powers of his day. He asserted his true spiritual authority and divine role even as opposition mounted toward the cross.
Some key Scripture passages for understanding Holy Tuesday include:
– Matthew 21:12–23:39 – Jesus cleanses the temple, cursing of fig tree, parables directed at Israel’s leaders
– Mark 11:15–13:37 – Jesus cleanses the temple, withered fig tree, debates with leaders in the temple
– Luke 19:45–21:38 – Jesus drives out temple merchants, debates with religious leaders
– John 12:20–50 – Jesus foretells his death, God’s voice speaks from heaven
The events of Holy Tuesday set the tone for the remainder of Holy Week, as Jesus prepared to complete his mission on the cross and resurrection. This day showed the inherent spiritual conflict between Jesus and the religious powers of his day. As opposition grew, Holy Tuesday marks the beginning of the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry in Jerusalem.
The significance of Holy Tuesday is that it sets in motion the events leading directly to the climactic moments of Jesus’ life – the Last Supper, betrayal, trial, crucifixion and resurrection. The seeds of Holy Week are planted on Holy Tuesday.
Christians can reflect on Holy Tuesday as a prelude to the passion of Christ:
– Jesus was fully divine, knowing his destiny on the cross and empty tomb. He intentionally challenged the religious authorities out of obedience to God’s divine plan.
– Jesuspronounced judgment on Israel’s rebellion and rejection of him as Messiah, a theme woven through Holy Week. God’s patience had an end.
– However, in judgment there was also grace, as Christ’s death and resurrection opened salvation to all peoples beyond only Jews. Holy Tuesday marks a transition point to God’s broader plan.
– Even as animosity grew toward Jesus, he uncompromisingly spoke the truth in love about Israel’s spiritual condition. He is an exemplar of courage and devotion to God’s purpose.
– Christians should examine if there are areas of hypocrisy and disobedience toward Jesus in their own hearts and lives. Holy Tuesday is a reminder that Jesus requires total allegiance.
So in summary, commemorating Holy Tuesday is an opportunity for reflection and spiritual recommitment as the journey through Holy Week continues toward its climax at the cross and empty tomb. Just as Holy Tuesday set the stage for Christ’s passion in many ways, today this holiday sets the stage for Easter and its eternal meanings.