John 11:55

“And the Jews’ passover was nigh at hand, etc.] Which was the fourth passover from Christ’s entrance on his public ministry, and the last he ate with his disciples; when he, by being sacrificed for his people, put an end to that, and all other ceremonial observances: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem, before the passover: not only from the country where Ephraim was, but from all other countries in Judea and Galilee: all the males were obliged to go up to Jerusalem, at the time of the passover, where it was only kept; but many went before that time, for the reason following: to purify themselves; we read in (<143018>2 Chronicles 30:18) of many that had not cleansed themselves,…”

“passover . . . at hand . . . many went . . . up . . . before the passover, to purify themselves--from any legal uncleanness which would have disqualified them from keeping the feast. This is mentioned to introduce the graphic statement which follows.”

“Jews’ passover - See the notes at Matthew 26:2-17. Its being called the Jews’ Passover shows that John wrote this gospel among people who were not Jews, and to whom it was necessary, therefore, to explain their customs. To purify themselves - This purifying consisted in preparing themselves for the proper observation of the Passover, according to the commands of the law. If any were defiled in any manner by contact with the dead or by any other ceremonial uncleanness, they were required to take the prescribed measures for purification, Leviticus 22:1-6. For want of this, great inconvenience was sometimes experienced. See 2 Chronicles 30:17-18. Different periods were necessary in order to be…”

“Many went up to purify themselves - That they might remove all hinderances to their eating the passover. Next: John Chapter 12”

“11:55-57 As crowds arrived in Jerusalem on pilgrimage for Passover (see 2:13), the city was buzzing with talk about Jesus and his miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead. People wondered if Jesus would be obedient to the law and come to the city to celebrate or play it safe in the countryside. The priests and Pharisees knew that Jesus was faithful to the law and would attend the festival, so they tried to make the city a trap for him.”

“passover: Joh 2:13, Joh 5:1, Joh 6:4; Exo 12:11-14 before: Joh 7:8-10, Joh 12:1; Ezr 3:1-6; Neh 8:1-12 to purify: Joh 2:6; Gen 35:2; Exo 19:10, Exo 19:14, Exo 19:15; Num 9:6; Sa1 16:5; Ch2 30:17-20; Job 1:5; Psa 26:6; Act 24:18; Co1 11:28; Heb 9:13, Heb 9:14; Jam 4:8 John 11:56”