The Passion Narratives

It is traditional to read the various narratives of the Passion of Christ on Palm Sunday and in Holy Week. In many places these readings are distinguished not only by their length and solemnity but also by being read by a group of people, each taking one or more ‘parts’ in the style of a dramatic reading.

Various lectionaries use various schemes, and this page contains the readings specified by the Revised Common Lectionary for use on Palm Sunday (Matthew, Mark and Luke in successive years) and Good Friday (John in all years). Both the full and shortened forms are provided, but it is appropriate that the full reading should be used whereever possible.

The dramatic arrangements are copyright © Simon Kershaw 1999-2003 simon@oremus.org and may be freely used, provided the NRSV acknowledgment is left intact.

in continuous form

• according to Matthew: Matthew 26.14 – 27.66 or Matthew 27.11–54
• according to Mark: Mark 14.1 – 15.47 or Mark 15.1–39 [40–47]
• according to Luke: Luke 22.14 – 23.56 or Luke 23.1–49
• according to John: John 18.1 – 19.42

in dramatic form

• according to Matthew: Matthew 26.17 – 27.66 or Matthew 27.11–54
• according to Mark: Mark 14.1 – 15.end or Mark 15.1–39 [40–47]
• according to Luke: Luke 22.14 – 23.56 or Luke 23.1–49
• according to John: John 18.1 – 19.42