As we approach Easter Sunday, the events of Holy Week intensify. We’ve already looked at what happened on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of Easter week. What about Thursday?

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Thursday of Holy Week—also known as Maundy Thursday—witnessed several key events in the Easter story and set in motion the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. The events of this day, particularly the Last Supper, continue to be remembered and commemorated in Christian churches around the world today. Let’s take a look at these events as the Bible describes them by looking at the Thursday section of our Holy Week Timeline, which maps interactions between the important people and events of the Easter story:

Preparing the Upper Room

Where to read it: Matthew 26:17-19

On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”

He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. (NIV)

The Last Supper

Where to read it: Matthew 26:20-35. The most well-known scene can be found in Matthew 26:26-29:

While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” (NRSV)

Jesus Prays

Where to read it: Matthew 26:36-46

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.” (ESV)

As you can see, the events of Maundy Thursday are integral to the Easter story. For more information about this day (including the story behind its unusual name), see this essay by Mel Lawrenz on the significance of Maundy Thursday.