Holy Week: Tuesday
Tuesday
Man oh man, Tuesday of Holy week brings some of the largest amount of scriptural content of Jesus’ teaching that we see during Holy Week, and it is some of the most sharp and pointed towards the religious leaders! The main setting of Tuesday is found in the Temple where Jesus just lays out His corrections for the religious establishment, which were not received very well! The main scripture focuses for Tuesday of Holy Week is Matthew 21:23-26:5 (!!!), Mark 11:20-41:2, Luke 20:1-22:2, John 12:20-50. That is a ton of teachings from Jesus! There is no way I can cover them all in a devotional, so I am going to give you an outline of the key events that Jesus taught on and dive into what we can learn from them, and how it should focus our prayer today!
Key Events of Tuesday
The Withered Fig Tree Observed
Text: Matthew 21:20–22; Mark 11:20–26
Summary: As Jesus and His disciples return to Jerusalem, they see the fig tree He cursed the day before now withered.
Teaching: A powerful symbol of Israel’s fruitlessness and a lesson on the authority of faith and prayer.
Jesus’ Authority Challenged by Religious Leaders
Text: Matthew 21:23–27; Mark 11:27–33; Luke 20:1–8
Summary: The chief priests and elders demand to know by what authority Jesus teaches and performs miracles.
Jesus responds with a question about John the Baptist’s authority, exposing their political and spiritual hypocrisy.
Series of Parables Exposing Religious Hypocrisy
Parable of the Two Sons (Matthew 21:28–32)
Parable of the Tenants (Matthew 21:33–46; Mark 12:1–12; Luke 20:9–19)
Parable of the Wedding Banquet (Matthew 22:1–14)
Main Point: Jesus reveals the religious leaders’ rejection of God’s messengers and their failure to respond to His call.
A Day of Confrontation and Trap Questions various groups try to trap Jesus with questions:
Paying Taxes to Caesar – Matthew 22:15–22; Mark 12:13–17; Luke 20:20–26
“Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
Resurrection and Marriage – Matthew 22:23–33; Mark 12:18–27; Luke 20:27–40
Jesus rebukes the Sadducees’ misunderstanding of the resurrection.
The Greatest Commandment – Matthew 22:34–40; Mark 12:28–34
Jesus declares love for God and neighbor as the foundation of the law.
Messiah and David’s Lord – Matthew 22:41–46; Mark 12:35–37; Luke 20:41–44
Jesus questions them back, revealing the Messiah is more than David’s son—He is divine.
Jesus Denounces the Pharisees (Seven Woes)
Text: Matthew 23:1–36
Summary: Jesus gives a blistering public critique of the scribes and Pharisees for hypocrisy, pride, and burdening others.
Key Quote: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem Again
Text: Matthew 23:37–39; Luke 13:34–35
Summary: He laments their spiritual blindness and rejection of God’s salvation.
The Olivet Discourse (End Times Teaching)
Text: Matthew 24–25; Mark 13; Luke 21:5–38
Summary: Leaving the temple, Jesus sits on the Mount of Olives and teaches about:
The destruction of the temple
Signs of the end times
The coming of the Son of Man
Parables of watchfulness (Ten Virgins, Talents, Sheep & Goats)
Wow, that is a lot of teachings from Jesus. Tuesday of Holy Week is one of the most important theological days in Jesus’ ministry where He lays out very plainly how true Believers, that soon will be called Christians, were supposed to live out their faith! Tuesday shows us Jesus’ power, His righteousness, and his heart.
Here’s a quick highlight of the themes we need to glean from these Tuesday teachings:
1. God desires fruitfulness, not just form.
The cursed fig tree and Jesus’ parables highlight that putting on a spiritual show without the fruit that comes from a true relationship with God is judged harshly by God. Our church focus for 2025 is the word ‘fruitful!’ We want to be fruitful in our walk with Jesus individually and corporately so that our efforts build His Kingdom!
2. Jesus is the final authority.
Jesus doesn’t avoid hard questions—He answers with truth, wisdom, and unshakable clarity, He is God. There can be no question after reading His words that He is the final authority on Earth and in Heaven. Even though in three days’ time, the crowd will hand Him over to be crucified, we know that Jesus is not going to be bound by the death He suffered on the cross! Jesus has the final say so, and we should obey every word!
3. Watchfulness and readiness.
His end-times teaching reminds us to stay awake, live faithfully, and steward well while we wait for His return. We have heard for a long time that Jesus is coming back! Just because He hasn’t does not mean He won’t. We should be looking forward to the 2nd coming with anticipation, excitement, and obedience!
4. Religion without love is empty.
Jesus confronts religious systems that oppress with rules and regulations rather than leading people to a relationship with their God. His passion for us is to have an authentic and humble worship in our hearts and a committed daily relationship with God. If our religion produces merely loveless action, we have fallen into the folly of the pharisees. I love what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13. “If I have not love, I am a noisy gong.”
You see, there is so much to learn from Tuesday of Holy Week. Spend some time today in the Word of God with these parables and teachings of Jesus and see what He has to say to you!
As for our prayer focus today, here is where my heart is after diving into the Tuesday teachings:
Repentance: Lord, remove any hypocrisy or unfruitfulness from our life.
Clarity: Jesus, help us live under Your authority with boldness and truth.
Awakening: Stir our heart to live awake, watching, and ready for your return.
Integrity: Help us walk in love, humility, and spiritual sincerity—without pretending or performing.
As we journey through the week to the cross, do not forget that it is a pit-stop not the destination! Sunday is coming!