11:55 The Jews' passover was near. It was only a few weeks before the passover that he went to Ephraim.
To purify themselves. From ceremonial uncleanness. See Ex 19:10,11.
11:55 Many went up to purify themselves - That they might remove all hinderances to their eating the passover.
11:54-57 Before our gospel passover we must renew our repentance. Thus by a voluntary purification, and by religious exercises, many, more devout than their neighbours, spent some time before the passover at Jerusalem. When we expect to meet God, we must solemnly prepare. No devices of man can alter the purposes of God: and while hypocrites amuse themselves with forms and disputes, and worldly men pursue their own plans, Jesus still orders all things for his own glory and the salvation of his people.
