John 11:55

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 11:54-57

11:54-57 So Jesus walked no longer openly among the Jews, but he went away from them to a place near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim, and he stayed there with his disciples. Now the Passover Feast of the Jews was near; and many from the country areas went up to Jerusalem before the Passover Feast to purify themselves. So they were looking for Jesus; and, as they stood in the Temple precincts, they were talking with each other and saying: "What do you think? Surely it is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 11:55

And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand ,.... 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... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 11:55

The Jews' passover was nigh at hand - It is not necessary to suppose that this verse has any particular connection with the preceding. Most chronologists agree that our Lord spent at least two months in Ephraim. This was the last passover which our Lord attended; and it was at this one that he suffered death for the salvation of a lost world. As the passover was nigh, many of the inhabitants of Ephraim and its neighborhood went up to Jerusalem, some time (perhaps seven or eight days, for so... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 11:55

Verse 55 55.Many from that country went up to Jerusalem. It was not absolutely enjoined that they should purify themselves before sacrificing the passover; and, therefore, the Evangelist does not say that all came, but many No unclean person, indeed, was permitted to eat; but I say that this sanctification was undertaken voluntarily and from their own inclination, so that others were not forbidden to eat, though they had not been prepared by such a ceremony before the day of the feast read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 11:1-57

7. Christ the Antagonist of death—a victory of love and power . The narrative of this chapter is a further advance in the proof that the unbelief of the Jews was aggravated by the greatness of the revelation. The issue of his sublime and culminating act of power, of his supreme and self-revealing work of transcendent tenderness and beauty, was a deeper and wilder passion of hatred. The evangelist completes his series of seven great miracles with one that in true and believing minds,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 11:45-57

(4) The effect of the miracle (sign) upon the multitude and on the authorities . Their final resolve , and its bearing upon the great sacrifice of Calvary . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 11:54-57

A brief period of retirement. Jesus was now forced to withdraw for a time into a lonely place, so as to place himself beyond the reach of the Sanhedrim I. THE PLACE OF HIS RETIREMENT . "Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence into a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples ." 1. The place lay some distance north of Jerusalem, on the borders of the desert. 2. It was well... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 11:55

Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand: and many went up to Jerusalem out of the country before the Passover, that they might purify themselves . ἐκ τῆς χώρας meant "from the country" generally. Though the Law did not specifically recommend purification "before the Passover," yet the general principle of ceremonial cleansings had been applied to the Feast of the Passover (see 2 Chronicles 30:16-20 ; Acts 21:24 ). The time required varied from one to six days ( Exodus 19:10 ,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 11:55

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... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 11:55-57

John 11:55-57. And Soon after this; the Jews’ passover was nigh The last passover that Christ attended; and many From all parts of the country; went up to Jerusalem Some little time before the commencement of the feast; to purify themselves By certain preparatory sacrifices and ceremonies, that they might be ready to eat the passover. Those who were under any legal incapacity of celebrating the great solemnities of the Jewish religion, usually went up to Jerusalem before the feast... read more

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