Holy Monday

Great Monday

Soon after his arrival, Jesus found the temple full of merchants and money changers, buying and selling livestock. In his anger, Jesus flipped over the tables and drove them out. This is called 'The Cleansing of the Temple'.

Valentin de Boulogne (1620–1625)

'And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.' (John 2:15–16)

Jesus also came across a fig tree which was healthy and full of leaves, but bearing no fruit. Jesus cursed it and after cleansing the temple the disciples found that the fig tree had withered (Mark 11:20), linking the temple with not bearing righteous fruit.

Another key event was the questioning of Jesus' authority. The chief priests asked Jesus on whose authority was he acting, hoping that he would say God and give them the justification for an arrest. Jesus responded with the words: 'The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?' (Matthew 21:25).

What happens on this day?

Hymns and prayers are read and sung relating to Jesus' teachings after entering Jerusalem. The chronology of what happened after Palm Sunday differs from gospel to gospel, so which readings and hymns are sung may interchange with Holy Tuesday.

Previous Day: Palm Sunday

Next Day: Holy Wednesday