Bible Strands
John 11:55
Now the Jewish Passover was near, and many people went up from the country to Jerusalem to purify themselves before the Passover.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records the timeline as Jesus remains concealed in Ephraim while the Jewish Passover approaches. The text notes that many people travel from rural districts to Jerusalem to purify themselves before the festival.
The words — The Greek ἐγγὺς (engus) translates literally as "near" and marks the approaching Passover. The phrase Ἦν δὲ (ēn de) means "was now," establishing the immediate temporal setting of the narrative.
The thread — The text describes a historical purification requirement that parallels the consecution mandates in 2 Chronicles 30:17 and the household cleansing commands in Genesis 35:2. Interpreters connect this ritual preparation to the New Testament's theological framing of ceremonial cleansing as a precursor to the sanctifying work detailed in Hebrews 9:13.
Why it lands — The passage places the reader in the crowd that later searches for Jesus in the temple courts. It requires the reader to acknowledge that the approaching festival and the people's expectations frame the immediate historical context of the coming crucifixion and resurrection.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And the Jews’ passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.
Cross-references
- 2 Chronicles 30:17 Since there were many in the assembly who had not consecrated themselves, the Levites were in charge of slaughtering the Passover lambs for every unclean person to consecrate the lambs to the LORD.
- Hebrews 9:13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that their bodies are clean,
- Genesis 35:2 So Jacob told his household and all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods that are among you. Purify yourselves and change your garments.
- Exodus 19:10 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes
- John 2:13 When the Jewish Passover was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
- John 6:4 Now the Jewish Feast of the Passover was near.
- John 12:1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, the hometown of Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.
- Exodus 12:11 This is how you are to eat it: You must be fully dressed for travel, with your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. You are to eat in haste; it is the LORD’s Passover.
- Exodus 19:14 When Moses came down from the mountain to the people, he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes.
- Numbers 9:6 But there were some men who were unclean due to a dead body, so they could not observe the Passover on that day. And they came before Moses and Aaron that same day