Jesus's Final Week: From Triumphal Entry to Empty Tomb

by William F. Cook III

Jesus’s Final Week leads readers through a close examination of the last experiences of Jesus’s earthly life, including his entry into Jerusalem, cursing of the fig tree, and final Passover meal. Author and pastor William F. Cook doesn’t merely comment on the events themselves but studies the key biblical passages carefully, evaluating their meaning and significance. Substantive enough for classroom and church use, this book will delight any Christian who wants to learn more about the events of Holy Week and to prepare for celebrating Easter.

 

Genres: Theology, Biblical Studies, Christian

208 pages, Paperback

Published January 15, 2022

Reviews

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: A day-by-day discussion of the events in Jesus’s life from the triumphal entry until the empty tomb, using a “harmony of the gospels” approach.

The final week of the life of Jesus before the resurrection occupies a disproportionate part of each of our four gospels. In fact, some observers have described the gospels as “Passion narratives with long introductions.”

We often read these accounts in different gospels, which can be confusing as we try to imagine how events mentioned in one gospel mesh with those of another. Scholars use these differences to highlight the unique emphases of each gospel writer. Cook takes a different approach, which he describes as “horizontal,” using a “harmony of the gospels” resource to arrange all the events into a day-by-day chronological account that begins with the triumphal entry and ends with the empty tomb and the resurrection appearances.

For each day, he offers concise discussions that offer helpful background, explain any Old Testament scripture quoted or otherwise relevant, summarize key points in the day’s events and their significance, and then offers concluding reflections, often offering applications for our lives. For example, Cook concludes his chapter on The Triumphal Entry with this:

"We should ask ourselves how often we are overcome with emotion when we consider that many people we love and care about are on the precipice of God’s judgment. I fear we sometimes get used to loved ones and friends not knowing Jesus. We need to shed more tears and pray more passionate prayers for their salvation.”

COOK, P. 12.

We often overlook the temple controversies on Tuesday. I thought Cook’s discussion quite helpful of the four questions asked of Jesus and the final question Jesus asks of the religious leaders. The events of Thursday and Friday are given more space with a chapter each devoted to the last supper, including Jesus’s prayer in John, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Jewish Trial, The Roman Trial, and the crucifixion and death of Jesus. The final chapter discusses the empty tomb, the resurrection appearances, and evidence for the resurrection.

One of the nice features of each chapter was to include a hymn related to the material in the chapter. I often found myself at least mentally singing through the hymn. One of the things this ought suggest is that this is a wonderful devotional resource as one prepares to remember Passion Week. It also makes for a good Lenten study and includes a study guide for groups. There’s still time to get this for this year or to have on hand for the next.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Pat Baird · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really fun read. In this volume Dr. William Cook takes the reader through a guided tour of holy week.

There are many moments when I found my heart getting edified with new information and insights that I had not previously known, though I have studied the various gospel accounts for years.

The only reason that this book is not a five star rating is because the writing style is simply not engaging.

I will probably revert back to this book around Easter time to read with a fellow Christian or two. I’m really glad to have it on the bookshelf and would encourage fellow believers to read it with their family and friends around Easter time.

The book comes with a study guide and hymns of response at the end of each chapter. Reading this book alone probably made me miss out on the real Gohl that one can mine from its contents. It seems like a piece that’s really meant to be read in community with fellow believers.

I love Dr. Cook and I have enjoyed studying under him. And I look forward to reading his advent book around Christmas time.

[Peter Sontag · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great read to understand the events of Holy Week. The week of the passion so important for Christians to wrap their minds around and let it invade their lives. Dr. Cook does a great job explaining why this week is what Jesus was pursuing in his whole life and why he rejected the kingdom that his disciples and the crowd had in mind. It’s written at an accessible level for anyone who has been a born again believer for a couple years. I would highly recommend this book for any believer to read during Lent to greater understand the depth of the love of their Savior and the power & call of the kingdom of God.

[Hoan Le · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple book but thorough and concise scholarly view of the Passion Week. It describes the details like a commentary and intentionally devotional with its doxological end to each chapter. I would recommend this book to all believers who want to disciple younger believers on the importance of Christ’s work in His last week on Earth.

[Steven DiSebastian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jesus’ Final Week by William F. Cook III is a straight-forward look at Jesus’ last days leading up to his crucifixion and resurrection, covering from his triumphal entry of Jerusalem to the empty tomb. (Yet, despite what the cover says, it also includes the Saturday before Palm Sunday where Mary anoints Jesus, which I found to be an interesting and important prelude to the coming week.) This brief read includes the relevant historical, cultural, and biblical information for a deeper understanding of the events, including information from all four Gospels and the Old Testament. The author also briefly tackles interpretive or historical challenges to the text, such as perceived contradictions between the Gospels’ accounts. At under 200 pages, Jesus’ Final Week does a decent job of covering all the needed information while not being overwhelming. It would be a great guide for a Bible study or a pastor to use for a series leading up to Resurrection Sunday. Though there is a “Final Reflections” section at the end of each chapter (as well as a corresponding “Hymn of Response”), I found the book more helpful as a source for information than as a devotional. I am using it as a guide at my micro-church as I lead a series on Jesus’ “last week” before that amazing Sunday when we discover that it wasn’t, in fact, his last week. He is risen! (B&H Academic provided me with a free copy for review.)

[Lisa Castro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciate how the author pulls all four gospels together and explains the details of the week of Jesus’s death and resurrection. He also does a good job of noting how the gospel writers wrote from different perspectives, hence using slightly different descriptions, or choosing to highlight some things over others. He clarifies where some apparent discrepancies are in fact compatible. It’s an easy read and really brings the four gospels together (while also referencing verses from other parts of Scripture). The hymn after each chapter is a great way to reflect on what you’re reading. I’d definitely recommend this book and hope to regularly read it leading up to Easter.

[Jason Kolar · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good little book on Jesus's final week. William Cook is very precise and spends no time dilly-dallying. He did a great job of giving you a picture of the most important week in history using all four gospels and was academically minded without getting caught in the weeds.

This book was helpful in setting my eyes on Jesus during the Easter season though I would've preferred either a larger, meatier academic book or a devotional book.

[Paige Diaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book during Holy Week. As a whole, it reads like a very short and academic commentary on each event that happened during Holy Week, laying them all out in order. Each chapter has an application section called “final reflections” at the end which was helpful, albeit basic. If you decide to read this book make sure to read the scriptural accounts before you start each particular section within the chapters or I feel the book will fall flat. I really enjoyed this!

[Kyleigh Dunn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Neat little book, with lots of helpful cultural and historical tidbits. So much of the text was just summarizing the Gospel accounts, though, that I think I would have preferred reading a harmonization of the Gospels with historical notes and comments related to the differences between the gospels in footnotes.

[Ryan Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Those who want further insight and study into the last week of Jesus's life, his trial, his death, burial, and resurrection will benefit greatly from this book. Cook from the outset notes that this is to be a very accessible and in many ways devotional type of read. It was very timely to read it leading into the Easter season to prepare my heart and mind.

[Whitney Hopperton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this as we led up to Easter! Good balance of academic, relational, practical, and thought provoking application. Loved the songs included and group questions for reflection.

Thankful to know Dr cook personally and see how his writing matches his daily living.

[Joel Rockey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful for my Easter study.

[Brittany Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't get this finished before Easter, but I still greatly enjoyed this in depth look into Passion week. Hallelujah, what a Savior!

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful to understand the details of the final week day by day

[Shanyl Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

good reader, wished for more applications

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was helpful!