Jews' passover. Commencing on the 14th Nisan. See note on John 2:13 . out of . Greek. ek. App-104 . before . Greek. pro. App-104 . to = in order to. Greek. hina. purify themselves : i.e. from Levitical uncleanness. See Numbers 9:10 and Acts 21:24 . read more
Now the passover of the Jews was at hand: and many went up to Jerusalem out of the country, to purify themselves.The passover feast, called "Rosh Hashanah" by the Jews, was attended by all the adult male population of Israel with ability to attend it. Little did the gathering throngs pressing into the capital for the great feast realize that the true and holy passover for all men would be sacrificed "that year" (to use John's cryptic words again). To them, it was only another Passover; but to... read more
John 11:55. To purify themselves.— As a variety of circumstances might happen to multitudes, which would require purification, so some sort of cleansing required no less than seven days; and the vows of the Nazarites likewise required some time. Compare 2 Chronicles 30:17. Some would render the last clause of the 56th verse, What think ye? Will he not come to feast? Inferences on the raising of Lazarus, John 11:14-46. There is a time when we must preach Christ on the house-top, as well as a... read more
55-57. 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. read more
2. The responses to the raising of Lazarus 11:45-57Again Jesus’ words and works divided the Jews (cf. John 6:14-15; John 7:10-13; John 7:45-52; John 10:19-21). read more
Jesus’ reaction 11:54-57This pericope summarizes the situation at this stage of Jesus’ ministry. The leaders had determined to kill Him, and Jesus withdrew to the town of Ephraim. read more
This is the third and final Passover that John mentioned in his Gospel (cf. John 2:13; John 6:4) and probably the fourth one during Jesus’ public ministry. John mentioned the first, third, and fourth of these. [Note: Hoehner, p. 143.] The Mosaic Law required that the Jews who had become ritually unclean had to purify themselves for one week before participating in this feast (Numbers 9:6-14). Therefore many of them went to Jerusalem at least one week before the feast began to undergo... read more
Christ the Resurrection and the Life1-44. The raising of Lazarus. The last and greatest of the seven ’signs’ recorded in this Gospel is related with such photographic minuteness of detail, that it is clear that the evangelist was present. Three points about it are specially noteworthy: (1) that it was a physical miracle, which no ingenuity can reduce to a case of faith-healing; (2) that it was definitely worked to produce faith in Christ (John 11:42); (3) that more than any other miracle it was... read more
(55) And the Jews’ passover was nigh at hand.—Comp. Notes on John 2:13; John 6:4.Out of the country.—Not the country near Ephraim, but the country generally, as opposed to the city.To purify themselves.—The Law ordained no special purifications before the Passover, but on the general principle of ceremonial cleanness, a large number of pilgrims would necessarily go up before the feast to observe the legal rites and offer the required sacrifices. The time required varied from one to six days.... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - John 11:45-57
117. Jews plot to kill Jesus (John 11:45-57)As a result of his miraculous works, Jesus was becoming more famous every day. The Sanhedrin feared that the nation might accept him as the leader of a messianic uprising against Rome, which would lead to Rome’s intervention. The outcome could be the loss of the Jews’ religious privileges and even the destruction of their temple (John 11:45-48).Caiaphas, who was high priest and president of the Sanhedrin, suggested they get rid of Jesus and so remove... read more