John 6:4
Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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John 6:4
Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This isn't just a date marker; John highlights the Passover's approach to explain the massive crowd, as pilgrims would be traveling, and to subtly point towards Jesus fulfilling the feast's deeper meaning by providing spiritual sustenance. The phrase "the feast of the Jews" also hints that John is writing for a Gentile audience unfamiliar with these traditions.
Jesus had just performed a significant miracle, feeding thousands with only a few loaves and fish. John emphasizes this event occurred shortly before the Passover, a major Jewish festival, explaining the large crowds of people who were often traveling around this time, potentially heading towards Jerusalem. This timing also sets the stage for Jesus's subsequent discourse about being the true bread of life, a powerful parallel to the Passover's symbolism.
Why does John mention the approaching Passover right before Jesus feeds the 5,000? It’s more than just a calendar note.
John, writing for a primarily non-Jewish audience, often explains Jewish customs. But this mention of the Passover isn't just an explanation; it's strategic.
A Pilgrim Pathway
The Passover was a central feast in Judaism, drawing huge crowds to Jerusalem. The commentary notes suggest that the approaching feast would mean many people were already traveling. This proximity to the Passover helps explain the large multitude Jesus encountered near the Sea of Galilee, as they were likely pilgrims on their way to or from Jerusalem.
Setting the Stage
This timing isn't accidental. It prepares us for the profound spiritual truths that follow. The Passover itself was a commemoration of God's deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt, marked by the sacrifice of a lamb. Jesus, as we'll see later in this chapter, will be presented as the ultimate fulfillment of this sacrificial meal.
The Passover feast celebrated God's deliverance. But in this chapter, Jesus reveals Himself as the ultimate deliverance.
While John states the Passover was near, he also begins to set the stage for Jesus being the fulfillment of that very feast.
Beyond Bread and Lambs
The Passover meal, with its lamb and unleavened bread, was a powerful symbol of God's redemption. It pointed to freedom from physical bondage in Egypt and a new beginning.
The Real Feast
As the narrative unfolds in John 6, Jesus contrasts the physical bread He miraculously provided with the spiritual bread He offers. He declares Himself to be the 'bread of life.' This connects directly to the Passover's themes of provision and redemption. Just as the Passover lamb saved Israel, Jesus' sacrifice will ultimately save humanity. He is the true, eternal deliverance that the Passover foreshadowed.
Understand the original words
pascha · Greek Noun
The central Jewish festival commemorating God’s deliverance of Israel from bondage in Egypt. In the context of the New Testament, it serves as a pointer to the sacrificial death of Christ, the true Lamb of God.
The approach of the Passover festival explains the large crowds Jesus encountered, as many were traveling to Jerusalem and passed through the region of Galilee.
c. AD 27
First Passover
Jesus celebrated his first Passover in Jerusalem after beginning his public ministry, during which he cleansed the temple.
c. AD 28
Second Passover
John records Jesus celebrating a second Passover in Jerusalem, where he healed a man at the pool of Bethesda, leading to conflict with Jewish authorities.
c. AD 29— this verse
Passover Pilgrims Travel
Large numbers of Jewish pilgrims began traveling towards Jerusalem in the days and weeks leading up to the Passover feast. This created significant crowds in and around Galilee.
c. AD 29
Jesus Withdraws to a Mountain
Following events that caused him to withdraw, Jesus went up a mountain near the Sea of Galilee, accompanied by his disciples.
c. AD 30
This is the foundational text for the Passover feast, detailing its institution as a remembrance of God's deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt. John 6:4 situates Jesus' actions within this context of liberation and divine provision.
Deuteronomy 8:3Jesus quotes this verse in response to the crowds in John 6, emphasizing that spiritual nourishment is more vital than physical bread. The timing of the Passover, a feast of remembrance and sustenance, amplifies this spiritual truth.
John 11:55This verse also mentions the proximity of the Passover and the purification of many Jews heading to Jerusalem. It highlights the significance of this feast as a major gathering time, explaining the large crowds Jesus encountered.
1 Corinthians 5:7-8Paul uses Passover imagery, calling believers to 'purge out the old leaven' and celebrate with 'the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth,' likening Christ to the Passover lamb. This shows how early Christians understood Jesus in relation to the Passover's deeper meaning.
barnesJohn 6:4: "And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh."
The passover - See the notes at Matthew 26:2 , Matthew 26:17 . A feast of the Jews - This is one of the circumstances of explanation thrown in by John which show that he wrote for those who were unacquainted with Jewish customs.
vincentJohn 6:4: "And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh."
A feast (ἡ ἑορτὴ)With the definite article, the feast; pointing to something well known.
This isn't just a date marker; John highlights the Passover's approach to explain the massive crowd, as pilgrims would be traveling, and to subtly point towards Jesus fulfilling the feast's deeper meaning by providing spiritual sustenance. The phrase "the feast of the Jews" also hints that John is writing for a Gentile audience unfamiliar with these traditions.
Jesus had just performed a significant miracle, feeding thousands with only a few loaves and fish. John emphasizes this event occurred shortly before the Passover, a major Jewish festival, explaining the large crowds of people who were often traveling around this time, potentially heading towards Jerusalem. This timing also sets the stage for Jesus's subsequent discourse about being the true bread of life, a powerful parallel to the Passover's symbolism.
Jesus had just performed a significant miracle, feeding thousands with only a few loaves and fish. John emphasizes this event occurred shortly before the Passover, a major Jewish festival, explaining the large crowds of people who were often traveling around this time, potentially heading towards Jerusalem. This timing also sets the stage for Jesus's subsequent discourse about being the true bread of life, a powerful parallel to the Passover's symbolism.
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Third and Final Passover
Jesus celebrated his final Passover in Jerusalem, culminating in the Last Supper, his crucifixion, and resurrection.
"Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand." — This isn't just a date marker; John highlights the Passover's approach to explain the massive crowd, as pilgrims would be traveling, and to subtly point towards Jesus fulfilling the feast's deeper me…