John 11:55 (KJV)

What does John 11:55 mean?

John 11:55 describes how the Jewish festival of Passover was approaching, and many people traveled from rural areas to Jerusalem ahead of time so they could purify themselves before the holiday. This sets the scene for the events that will soon unfold in Jerusalem, showing the city filling with visitors preparing for an important religious observance.

The verse is part of the story leading up to Jesus’ final days. The writer, John, is describing the actions of Jewish people who are coming to Jerusalem, as required by their traditions, to take part in Passover. The mention of purification highlights the seriousness with which people approached the festival, making sure they were ritually clean before participating.

The Greek behind John 11:55

• The word for “purify” is ἁγνίσωσιν (hagnisōsin), which means to make oneself ritually clean. This shows that people were concerned about being in the right spiritual state for Passover, following the customs of the Law.
• The phrase “went up” uses the Greek ἀνέβησαν (anebēsan), which often refers to the physical act of traveling to Jerusalem, since the city is on higher ground, but also has a sense of going up for a religious purpose.
• The word for “country” is χώρας (chōras), meaning the rural areas or countryside outside Jerusalem. This detail emphasizes that people were coming from all over, not just the city itself.

Why John 11:55 matters

• John 11:55 helps the reader understand the buildup of crowds in Jerusalem, which is important for the events that follow, including Jesus’ entry and eventual arrest.
• The verse highlights the seriousness and devotion of people preparing for Passover, showing the importance of ritual purity in Jewish life at the time.
• This detail connects the story of Jesus to the broader context of Jewish tradition and the significance of Passover, setting the stage for the events of the Passion.