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Lenten Season · Year A

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord: Mass

March 29, 2026

Pilate Washing His Hands, Jan Lievens
Pilate Washing His Hands, Jan Lievens, c. 1624–25Museum De Lakenhal, Leiden
Lievens paints the basin at the centre with the governor's hands in it, and nobody in the room looking at them.I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves.Jan LievensA Dutch painter who shared a studio with Rembrandt as a young man, was thought his equal at the time, and has been overshadowed ever since.Museum De Lakenhal, LeidenLeiden's municipal museum in the old cloth hall, holding the city's painters including the young Rembrandt.Museum De Lakenhal, Leiden
Roman Lectionary
GospelMatt. 26:14–27:66Mt 26:14–27:66 orMatt. 27:11-54Mt 27:11-54
Second ReadingPhil. 2:6-11Phil 2:6-11
First ReadingIsa. 50:4-7Is 50:4-7
Responsorial PsalmPs. 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24 (2a)Ps 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24 (2a)

Overview & Insights

"Truly this was the Son of God!" (Matthew 27:54)

Matthew's passion narrative runs from Judas's bargain with the chief priests through the Last Supper, Gethsemane, Jesus' arrest and trials, Peter's denial, the crucifixion, and the burial with the sealing of the tomb. It is the longest continuous narrative in the Gospel and the reading that opens Holy Week.

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Take it further: Matthew 26:14–27:66 or Matthew 27:11-54

Commentary

Commentary on Matthew 26:14–27:66Commentary on Mt 26:14–27:66 Working Preacher

Working Preacher covers the entire passion narrative and Matthew's distinctive details, including Pilate's wife and the thirty pieces of silver, which also covers everything in the shorter 27:11-54 option.

Matthew 26:14-27:66 CommentaryMt 26:14-27:66 Commentary CEP

CEP's commentary works through the full narrative from the bargain with Judas to the sealing of the tomb.

Matthew 26 CommentaryMt 26 Commentary Enduring Word

David Guzik's verse by verse notes on chapter 26 cover the Last Supper, Gethsemane, and the arrest and trial before Caiaphas.

Matthew 27 CommentaryMt 27 Commentary Enduring Word

David Guzik's notes on chapter 27 carry the narrative through Judas's remorse, Pilate, the crucifixion, and the burial.

Matthew 26 CommentaryMt 26 Commentary Precept Austin

Precept Austin's verse by verse commentary on chapter 26 covers the supper and Gethsemane in close detail.

Matthew 27 CommentaryMt 27 Commentary Precept Austin

Precept Austin's commentary on chapter 27 covers the trial before Pilate through the crucifixion and burial, including the shorter 27:11-54 option.

Matthew 26:26 CommentariesMt 26:26 Commentaries BibleHub

BibleHub stacks classic commentaries on the institution of the Lord's Supper at verse 26.

Background & Word Study

Matthew 26:26 Interlinear GreekMt 26:26 Interlinear Greek BibleHub interlinear

The Greek interlinear shows the words behind this is my body at the Last Supper.

The Church Fathers

Matthew 26 - Catena Aurea / Church FathersMt 26 - Catena Aurea / Church Fathers Catena

Catena gathers patristic comment on the supper, Gethsemane, and the arrest in chapter 26.

Matthew 27 - Catena Aurea / Church FathersMt 27 - Catena Aurea / Church Fathers Catena

Catena gathers patristic comment on the trial, crucifixion, and burial in chapter 27, including the shorter 27:11-54 option.

Sermons & Reflections

Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion, Cycle A Loyola Sunday Connection

Loyola's Sunday Connection page frames the Passion as Jesus' obedience to the Father through to death.

Palm Sunday (Year A) Catholic Productions / Brant Pitre

Brant Pitre points to details unique to Matthew, including Judas's remorse and Pilate washing his hands, within the day's full set of readings.

Podcast

Sunday of the Passion (Palm Sunday) - March 29, 2026 Sermon Brainwave

The Sermon Brainwave hosts discuss the political and theological stakes of Jesus' trial and the earth's role in the narrative.

Study Hub

Matthew 26:14 - 27:66Mt 26:14 - 27:66 Textweek

Textweek collects links to dozens of sermons and articles on the full passion narrative.

Prep at sermons.com

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  • Full sermons on Matthew 26:14–27:66 or Matthew 27:11-54
  • Illustrations cleared for use in worship
  • Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
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