How does John 11:55 emphasize the importance of purification before Passover? John 11:55 in focus “Now the Jewish Passover was near, and many people went up from the country to Jerusalem to purify themselves before the Passover.” Why John highlights purification • John pauses the narrative to spotlight the crowds, not the disciples—underscoring that preparation for meeting God is everyone’s responsibility. • The verb “went up” reflects deliberate effort; physical ascent to Jerusalem mirrors spiritual ascent toward holiness (Psalm 24:3-4). • “Many people” shows widespread obedience, stressing that ceremonial purity was not optional. • The timing—“before the Passover”—reveals that correct worship requires prior cleansing, not last-minute formality (Exodus 19:10-11). Old-Testament foundations • Exodus 12:15—removal of leaven pictures removal of sin. • Leviticus 15:31—ritual impurity endangers the whole camp; God commands separation from uncleanness. • Numbers 9:6-13—those defiled by a corpse could not keep Passover until purified with the red-heifer water on the third and seventh days (Numbers 19). • 2 Chronicles 30:17-20—Hezekiah intercedes for pilgrims who were not fully cleansed; God heals them, yet the narrative still stresses purification as the norm. Purification practices in Jesus’ day • Mikveh immersion—pilgrims entered pools around the Temple (cf. John 2:6 for stone water jars kept ready). • Offerings and washings—Levitical prescriptions remained binding under the Law. • John 18:28—leaders refuse to enter Pilate’s praetorium “so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover,” showing the lasting weight of purity concerns. Theological significance • Holiness precedes fellowship—God’s pattern from Sinai to Calvary: cleansing first, covenant meal second. • Foreshadowing Christ’s work—external washings point to the inward cleansing Jesus would soon provide (Hebrews 9:13-14). • Contrast with Caiaphas’s plot—while some prepare hearts, others scheme murder, highlighting true vs. false readiness (John 11:47-53). Living lessons for believers today • Examine and confess—1 Corinthians 11:28 applies the same principle before the Lord’s Supper. • Pursue holiness—2 Corinthians 7:1 calls us to “perfect holiness in the fear of God.” • Approach reverently—Hebrews 10:22 invites us to “draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us.” Key takeaways • John 11:55 places purification at the center of Passover readiness. • Scripture consistently teaches that approaching God requires cleansing, whether through ritual water or the blood of Christ. • Believers honor the Passover Lamb by daily repentance and wholehearted pursuit of purity. |
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