John 11 55

John 11:55 kjv

And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.

John 11:55 nkjv

And the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went from the country up to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves.

John 11:55 niv

When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover.

John 11:55 esv

Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves.

John 11:55 nlt

It was now almost time for the Jewish Passover celebration, and many people from all over the country arrived in Jerusalem several days early so they could go through the purification ceremony before Passover began.

John 11 verses

John 11 55 Meaning

John 11:55 signals a critical juncture in Jesus' earthly ministry, as the Jewish Passover festival, central to Israel's identity and redemption history, was rapidly approaching. It depicts the common, devout practice of Jews traveling from various regions to Jerusalem days before the feast to undergo ritual purification. This massive gathering and their pursuit of ceremonial cleanness set the stage for Jesus' final week, positioning His impending sacrifice as the ultimate Passover Lamb amidst a religiously fervent multitude seeking to uphold the Law.

John 11 55 Context

John 11:55 directly follows the dramatic raising of Lazarus from the dead (Jn 11:1-46), a miracle that profoundly impacted many, leading them to believe in Jesus. However, it also prompted the Sanhedrin's intensified resolve to kill Him, fearing political upheaval and Roman intervention (Jn 11:47-53). With this political decision established, verse 55 immediately shifts focus to the overarching religious context: the approaching Passover. This festival, celebrating Israel's liberation from Egypt, historically gathered enormous crowds of devout Jews in Jerusalem for mandated pilgrimage and purification. Thus, the verse sets the large-scale public stage and crucial timing for Jesus' final journey to Jerusalem, leading to His ultimate fulfillment of the Passover through His own sacrifice. It highlights both the expectation of purification under the Law and the looming conflict for the one who embodied true purity.

John 11 55 Word analysis

• Now (De - Gk.): A transitional conjunction, indicating a shift in the narrative from the personal account of Lazarus to the broader stage of impending public events. It signals the commencement of the final movement towards Jesus' "hour."
• the Passover (to Pascha - Gk.): Refers to Pesach in Hebrew. The primary annual festival commemorating God's deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt (Exod 12). It was the foundational redemption story for Israel and powerfully foreshadows Christ's sacrificial atonement.
• of the Jews (tōn Ioudaiōn - Gk.): A frequent Johannine distinctive phrase. It specifies that this is the particular Passover observed by the Jewish people, serving to inform John's broader audience (who may not have been Jewish) about Jewish customs. It may also subtly contrast it with the "true Passover" fulfilled by Christ.
• was at hand (ēngiken - Gk.): From engizo, meaning "drew near" or "was close." Emphasizes the imminence and critical proximity of the festival. This conveys a sense of anticipation and divine timing.
• many (polloi - Gk.): Indicates a large number, highlighting the massive influx of pilgrims into Jerusalem during major feasts. This foreshadows the large crowds that would be present during Jesus' Passion.
• went up (anebēsan - Gk.): From anabainō, "to go up." The standard term for traveling to Jerusalem due to its elevation, implying not just physical ascent but often spiritual intent towards the holy city.
• from the country (ek tēs chōras - Gk.): Refers to the rural areas or surrounding regions outside of Jerusalem, encompassing various parts of Judea, Galilee, and beyond. This emphasizes the wide geographic origins of the pilgrims.
• to Jerusalem (eis Hierosolyma - Gk.): The sacred capital, location of the Temple, and the ordained place for central worship and major feast observances.
• before the Passover (pro tou Pascha - Gk.): Specifies the timeline, indicating that pilgrims arrived days in advance of the festival. This early arrival was necessary for pre-Passover preparations and required purification rites.
• to purify themselves (hagnisthōsin - Gk.): From hagnizo, "to cleanse ritually." This refers to specific ceremonial purifications required by Mosaic Law (e.g., washings, offerings, removal of defilement) to ensure ritual cleanness for participation in the Passover meal and temple worship (Num 9:6-10).

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand": This phrase precisely anchors the narrative in Jewish calendrical time and highlights the eschatological significance of the period. The approaching Passover is not merely a background detail but the divinely appointed "hour" for Jesus' redemptive work, emphasizing the fulfillment of Old Covenant types in the New Covenant reality of Christ.
• "many went up from the country to Jerusalem": This depicts the bustling scene of pilgrimage, symbolizing devotion to the Law and the gathering of all Israel. The magnitude of the crowd would create the public context for the ensuing events, highlighting both the opportunity for wide proclamation and the volatility of the socio-political environment.
• "before the Passover, to purify themselves": This underscores the devout, albeit external, religious meticulousness of the people regarding the Mosaic Law's requirements for ritual cleanness. This sets up a profound Johannine theme: the contrast between ceremonial purity attainable through ritual and the profound spiritual purification that Jesus would offer through His sacrifice, which alone could truly cleanse hearts from sin (Heb 9:14; 1 Jn 1:7).

John 11 55 Bonus section

• Divine Appointment of Time: This verse subtly reinforces the sovereignty of God in orchestrating the timing of His Son's sacrifice. Jesus' death occurs not arbitrarily, but precisely during the Passover, a festival divinely instituted to foreshadow His atoning work. This speaks to God's precise control over redemptive history.
• John's Purposeful Clarification: John’s recurring phrase "of the Jews" when referring to Jewish festivals (e.g., Jn 2:13; 5:1; 6:4; 7:2; 19:42) often serves to explain Jewish customs to his gentile or diverse audience. It also, however, can underscore a growing theological separation or tension between "the Jews" (often representing the unbelieving religious authorities or a specific faction) and the new community forming around Jesus, implying a 'new' understanding of the Passover rooted in Christ.
• Symbolic Ascent: The act of "going up" to Jerusalem carries profound spiritual significance throughout the Scriptures, representing drawing nearer to God's presence, preparing for worship, and acknowledging Jerusalem as the center of spiritual gravity. This highlights the pilgrim's devout intention, though their spiritual understanding might have been incomplete regarding Jesus.

John 11 55 Commentary

John 11:55 is a strategically placed verse that transforms the narrative focus from Jesus' private encounters and miracles to His public destiny. By highlighting the imminent Passover and the accompanying pilgrimage and purification rites, John creates a vibrant backdrop for Jesus' passion. The meticulous pursuit of ritual purity by many underscores the Jewish dedication to the Law. However, this dedication, while commendable, often highlighted the superficiality of external rites without inner transformation. This sets the theological tension for John's Gospel, which points to Jesus as the one who brings ultimate purification, superseding and fulfilling all ritualistic needs through His sacrifice as the Lamb of God (Jn 1:29; 1 Cor 5:7). The convergence of so many pilgrims in Jerusalem during this significant festival was not coincidental but providentially arranged for the central event of history—the crucifixion and resurrection of the Son of God, truly enacting the new and everlasting Passover.