John 11:55 – “When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover.”

An Extended Explanation of the Verse

This verse shifts the focus from Jesus’ retreat in Ephraim (John 11:54) to the approaching Passover, the most important Jewish feast. People from all over Israel were traveling to Jerusalem to prepare for the celebration by performing ceremonial cleansing rituals.

These cleansings were required by Jewish law and symbolized spiritual purity before participating in the Passover meal. The people wanted to ensure that they were ritually clean before celebrating God’s past deliverance of Israel from Egypt (Exodus 12).

However, while they focused on external purification, most of them missed the deeper spiritual cleansing that Jesus had come to bring. The true Lamb of God (John 1:29) was about to be sacrificed, but many remained blind to the real salvation He offered.

Historical Context

• The Jewish Passover – This annual feast was one of the most important religious events in Jewish life. It commemorated God’s deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 12).
• The Journey to Jerusalem – Jewish law required that men attend three major feasts in Jerusalem each year: Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles (Deuteronomy 16:16). During Passover, the city would swell with hundreds of thousands of pilgrims.
• Ceremonial Cleansing – According to Jewish law, those who had become ritually unclean (by touching a dead body, contracting disease, or other causes) had to undergo purification rituals (Numbers 9:6-14). This included bathing, sacrifices, and waiting periods to be declared clean again.

Even though people were coming to purify themselves for Passover, many of them remained spiritually unclean in their hearts. They were preparing for a religious tradition, but the true Passover Lamb—Jesus—was about to be sacrificed right before their eyes.

Theological Implications

1. Religious Rituals Cannot Cleanse the Heart – The people were focused on outward purification, but only Jesus can provide true spiritual cleansing (Hebrews 9:13-14).
2. Jesus is the True Passover Lamb – The timing is not accidental. As people prepared for Passover, Jesus was preparing to offer Himself as the final sacrifice for sin (1 Corinthians 5:7).
3. People Can Be Religious and Still Miss Jesus – The crowds were traveling to Jerusalem for religious reasons, but many of them would later call for Jesus’ crucifixion (John 19:15). Rituals alone cannot save anyone—only faith in Christ can.

Literary Analysis

• “When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover” – This phrase sets the stage for Jesus’ final days. The Passover is central to the entire narrative, pointing to Jesus as the fulfillment of the feast.
• “Many went up from the country to Jerusalem” – This shows how massive the event was. People from all over Israel were coming to participate.
• “For their ceremonial cleansing” – This highlights the contrast between external rituals and the internal cleansing that only Jesus can provide.

John includes these details not just as historical facts, but to draw attention to the deeper meaning of what was about to happen—the real Passover Lamb was about to be sacrificed for the sins of the world.

Relevant Biblical Cross-References

• Exodus 12:3-14 – The original Passover foreshadowed Jesus as the sacrificial Lamb who would save His people.
• Isaiah 1:11-18 – God says that rituals are meaningless without true repentance—only He can make people clean.
• Psalm 51:10 – “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Real cleansing comes from God, not from ceremonies.)
• Hebrews 9:13-14 – “The blood of goats and bulls… sanctify those who are outwardly clean. How much more will the blood of Christ cleanse our consciences?” (Jesus provides true purification.)
• 1 Corinthians 5:7 – “For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” (Jesus fulfills the meaning of Passover.)

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse is a warning that it’s possible to be religious but spiritually unclean. Many people went to Jerusalem for Passover, but their hearts were not right before God. Today, people can go to church, pray, and do religious activities but still not be truly transformed by Jesus.

It also reminds us that outward rituals cannot save us. Many people today try to “clean themselves up” through good works, traditions, or moral behavior, but true cleansing only comes through Jesus’ sacrifice.

Finally, this verse points us to the power of Christ’s blood to cleanse us completely. Just as Passover required the blood of the lamb for salvation, our salvation depends on the blood of Jesus (1 John 1:7).

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in how He provided a way for true cleansing. The people were going to Jerusalem to perform temporary rituals, but God was sending His own Son to make a once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10).

This verse shows that God desires more than rituals—He desires relationship. He was not interested in just external cleansing but transforming hearts. That’s why Jesus came—to cleanse people from sin forever.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

1. Jesus Is the Fulfillment of Passover – The entire festival pointed forward to Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, where His blood would provide salvation (1 Corinthians 5:7).
2. Jesus Provides True Cleansing – The people were focused on ceremonial purity, but Jesus was about to provide real spiritual cleansing through His death and resurrection (Hebrews 9:14).
3. Jesus Invites Us to Be Truly Clean – In contrast to the temporary purifications of the law, Jesus offers complete and eternal cleansing (John 13:8).

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Why do you think people focused so much on external cleansing but missed spiritual cleansing?
2. In what ways do people today try to purify themselves apart from Jesus?
3. How does knowing that Jesus is the Passover Lamb change the way you think about His death?
4. How can we guard against empty religious rituals and pursue a true relationship with God?
5. What does it mean for you personally that Jesus’ blood cleanses us from all sin?