And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,

JOHN 2:13KJV
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John 2:13 (KJV)

What does John 2:13 mean?

John 2:13 describes how, as the Jewish festival of Passover was approaching, Jesus traveled up to Jerusalem. This verse sets the scene for what Jesus will do next in Jerusalem during this important religious time.

The Gospel of John is telling the story of Jesus’ actions around the time of Passover, a major Jewish festival that brought many people to Jerusalem. The verse highlights that Jesus, like other Jews, went to the city for this occasion, which was a central event in Jewish life. This moment leads directly into the account of Jesus entering the temple and what happens there.

The Greek behind John 2:13

  • "Passover" (πάσχα, pascha): This word refers to the annual Jewish festival remembering the Israelites’ escape from Egypt. Mentioning it signals a time of large crowds and religious significance in Jerusalem.
  • "Went up" (ἀνέβη, anebē): In Greek, this phrase often means traveling to a higher place. Jerusalem sits on a hill, so people commonly spoke of "going up" to the city, especially for festivals.
  • "At hand" (ἐγγύς, engys): This means something is near or approaching. The verse uses it to show the Passover was about to happen, giving urgency and context to Jesus’ journey.

Why John 2:13 matters

  • John 2:13 marks a transition from Jesus’ earlier activities in Galilee to a key moment in Jerusalem, setting up the events that follow in the temple.
  • The verse shows Jesus participating in Jewish customs, underlining his connection to his people and their traditions.
  • Noting the Passover context helps readers understand the significance of what Jesus does next, as the festival was a time of heightened religious meaning and expectation.

Where else these words appear

“passover” Greek G3957 · used in 27 verses

  • Matthew 26:2 Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.
  • Luke 2:41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
  • John 11:55 And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.

“hand” Greek G1451 · used in 30 verses

  • Matthew 24:32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
  • John 6:4 And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.
  • Acts 9:38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.

“Jerusalem” Greek G2414 · used in 59 verses

  • Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
  • Mark 15:41 (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.
  • Acts 8:14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

“up” Greek G305 · used in 77 verses

  • Matthew 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
  • John 1:51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.
  • Acts 21:4 And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.