John 2:13

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} the Jews {G2453}' passover {G3957} was {G2258} at hand {G1451}, and {G2532} Jesus {G2424} went up {G305} to {G1519} Jerusalem {G2414},

Complete Jewish Bible

It was almost time for the festival of Pesach in Y’hudah, so Yeshua went up to Yerushalayim.

Berean Standard Bible

When the Jewish Passover was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 2:13 serves as a pivotal narrative transition in the Gospel, marking Jesus' initial journey to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. This verse precisely establishes the chronological and geographical context for the subsequent events, particularly His dramatic cleansing of the Temple, thereby signaling the commencement of His public ministry in the heart of Jewish religious life.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' first sign, the transformation of water into wine at the wedding in Cana of Galilee, and a brief stay in Capernaum with His mother, brothers, and disciples ([John 2:1-12](/john/2-1-12 "John 2:1-12 - The Wedding at Cana")). The shift to Jerusalem for Passover signifies a move from private, familial settings to the public, national stage of Jewish religious observance. It sets the scene for Jesus' first major confrontation with the religious authorities, as recorded in the subsequent verses ([John 2:14-22](/john/2-14-22 "John 2:14-22 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple")), and introduces the theme of His authority over the Temple.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Passover (Pesach) was one of the three annual pilgrimage festivals (along with Pentecost and Tabernacles) when all Jewish males were required to travel to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices at the Temple ([Deuteronomy 16:16](/deuteronomy/16-16 "Deuteronomy 16:16 - The Three Annual Feasts")). It commemorated the foundational event of Israel's deliverance from slavery in Egypt, marked by the blood of the lamb on the doorposts ([Exodus 12:1-14](/exodus/12-1-14 "Exodus 12:1-14 - The First Passover")). Jerusalem, as the capital and religious center, would have been bustling with hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, making it a prime location for public teaching and significant events. Jesus' participation underscores His adherence to Jewish law and custom, positioning Him within the religious framework He would ultimately fulfill and transcend.
* **Key Themes:** John 2:13 introduces several crucial themes that resonate throughout the Gospel. Firstly, it highlights **Jesus' Observance of Jewish Law and Custom**, demonstrating His faithfulness to the Mosaic covenant by participating in the prescribed pilgrimage festival. This act underscores His identity as a devout Jew, born under the law, who came not to abolish but to fulfill it ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). Secondly, the specific mention of "Passover" points to **Divine Timing and Purpose**. The festival, which commemorated a historical act of redemption through a sacrificial lamb, serves as a profound **foreshadowing** of Jesus' ultimate role as the true [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") and the ultimate [Passover sacrifice](/1_corinthians/5-7 "1 Corinthians 5:7 - Christ Our Passover"). His presence in Jerusalem during this significant feast is divinely orchestrated, setting the stage for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Passover (Greek, _páscha'_):** From a Chaldee origin, this term refers to the Jewish festival commemorating the Exodus from Egypt, including the meal, the day, the festival itself, or the special sacrifices connected with it. Its mention here is crucial, not merely as a temporal marker but as a profound theological signpost, linking Jesus' actions to the foundational redemptive event of Israel and foreshadowing His own sacrificial death.
* **at hand (Greek, _engýs'_):** Meaning "near" or "nigh," this word indicates the imminent approach of the Passover festival. It emphasizes the timeliness of Jesus' journey and the divine precision of His ministry, suggesting that His arrival and subsequent actions in Jerusalem were not coincidental but occurred at a divinely appointed moment.
* **went up (Greek, _anabaínō'_):** This verb signifies a literal ascent, reflecting Jerusalem's elevated geographical position. More profoundly, it conveys the purposeful pilgrimage to a holy city, a spiritual ascent to the center of Jewish worship, highlighting Jesus' intentional engagement with the religious heart of His people and the Temple.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the Jews' passover was at hand":** This clause establishes the critical temporal setting. The phrase "the Jews' passover" distinguishes it as a specific Jewish observance, perhaps for a Gentile audience, and underscores its national and religious significance. The imminence ("at hand") signals that the events about to unfold are directly tied to this highly symbolic festival, which commemorated Israel's deliverance and involved sacrificial rites that pointed to a greater redemption.
* **"and Jesus went up to Jerusalem":** This second clause describes Jesus' deliberate action and destination. His "going up" (a customary phrase for pilgrimage to Jerusalem due to its elevation) signifies His participation in the religious life of His people. It also marks His intentional entry into the epicenter of Jewish religious authority and expectation, where His ministry would inevitably confront established traditions and reveal His divine identity.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Temporal Setting** is paramount, as the specific mention of "Passover" immediately imbues the narrative with profound theological meaning, linking Jesus' actions to Israel's redemptive history and foreshadowing His role as the ultimate sacrifice. **Geographical Specificity** in "Jerusalem" grounds the narrative in a real, highly significant location, the spiritual and political capital of Judaism, setting the stage for public confrontation and the unfolding of divine purpose. Furthermore, the verse functions as a crucial **Narrative Transition**, moving the story from the private, miraculous sign at Cana to the public, authoritative actions in the Temple, marking the true beginning of Jesus' public ministry in John's Gospel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 2:13 is not merely a statement of fact but a profound theological marker, connecting Jesus' earthly ministry to the overarching narrative of God's redemptive plan. By observing the Passover, Jesus demonstrates His solidarity with Israel's covenant history, yet His subsequent actions in the Temple reveal His authority over that very system. This pilgrimage underscores that Jesus is the fulfillment of all that the Passover foreshadowed, transforming a historical commemoration into a living reality. His journey to Jerusalem for this feast is a purposeful step towards His ultimate destiny as the Lamb of God, whose sacrifice would inaugurate a new covenant and a greater exodus from sin.

* [Exodus 12:21-27](/exodus/12-21-27 "The Institution of Passover")
* [1 Corinthians 5:7](/1_corinthians/5-7 "Christ Our Passover Lamb")
* [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 2:13 invites us to consider the intentionality and purposefulness of Jesus' life and ministry. His journey to Jerusalem for Passover was not a casual trip but a deliberate act of obedience and a step in fulfilling God's redemptive plan. For believers today, this reminds us of the importance of spiritual disciplines and communal worship, as exemplified by Christ Himself. We are called to engage purposefully with our faith, seeking to understand and participate in God's ongoing work in the world. Just as Jesus' presence at the Temple during Passover was divinely timed for a revelation of His authority, so too are our lives and opportunities part of God's sovereign timing. We are encouraged to be present where God is moving and to be ready for Him to challenge and transform our understanding of worship and devotion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' deliberate journey to Jerusalem for Passover inform our understanding of His commitment to Jewish law and tradition, and how does this relate to His ultimate fulfillment of the law?**
* **In what ways do we, like Jesus, need to "go up" to places or engage in practices that deepen our spiritual walk and connect us with God's redemptive story?**
* **How can we discern and respond to God's divine timing in our own lives, recognizing that seemingly ordinary events can be significant steps in His larger plan?**

### FAQ
**Why is the mention of "Passover" so significant in this verse?**

Answer: The mention of "Passover" is highly significant for several reasons. Firstly, it establishes the precise **temporal setting** for Jesus' actions, placing them within one of the most important annual Jewish festivals. Secondly, it carries immense **theological weight**, as Passover commemorated Israel's deliverance from slavery in Egypt through the sacrifice of a lamb ([Exodus 12:1-14](/exodus/12-1-14 "Exodus 12:1-14 - The First Passover")). This historical event serves as a powerful **foreshadowing** of Jesus' ultimate sacrifice as the true [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), who would bring about a new and greater exodus from sin. His presence at this particular feast highlights His identity as the fulfillment of the Old Covenant's types and shadows.

**What is the significance of Jesus "going up to Jerusalem" for this event?**

Answer: Jesus' act of "going up to Jerusalem" is significant both geographically and spiritually. Geographically, Jerusalem is situated on hills, so one literally "goes up" to it. Spiritually, Jerusalem was the **religious and political capital** of Judea, the site of the Temple, and the center of Jewish worship and pilgrimage. For Jesus to go there for Passover was an act of **observance of Jewish custom** ([Deuteronomy 16:16](/deuteronomy/16-16 "Deuteronomy 16:16 - The Three Annual Feasts")), demonstrating His faithfulness to the Law. More profoundly, it signifies His **intentional engagement** with the heart of Israel's religious life, setting the stage for His public ministry, confrontations with authorities, and ultimately, His redemptive work, which would culminate in Jerusalem. It underscores that His ministry was not accidental but purposeful, moving towards His destiny in the holy city.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 2:13, though seemingly a simple statement of time and location, is profoundly Christ-centered in its implications. Jesus' journey "up to Jerusalem" for "the Jews' Passover" is not merely a cultural observance; it is a deliberate step in His unfolding redemptive mission, foreshadowing His ultimate journey to the cross. The Passover, which commemorated the deliverance of Israel through the blood of a lamb, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus. He is the true [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose perfect sacrifice would accomplish a far greater liberation from the bondage of sin and death. His presence in the Temple during this feast, as the subsequent verses reveal, asserts His divine authority over the very institution that pointed to Him. This initial pilgrimage to Jerusalem for Passover sets the trajectory for His entire ministry, culminating in His final, sacrificial Passover, where He, as our [Passover Lamb](/1_corinthians/5-7 "1 Corinthians 5:7 - Christ Our Passover Lamb"), was sacrificed for us ([Mark 14:12](/mark/14-12 "Mark 14:12 - Preparation for Passover")). Thus, this verse subtly yet powerfully points to Jesus as the one who fulfills all the types and shadows of the Old Covenant, bringing about the new and living way through His body and blood ([Hebrews 10:1-10](/hebrews/10-1-10 "Hebrews 10:1-10 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.

John 2:23

¶ Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast [day], many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.

Deuteronomy 16:1

¶ Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.

Deuteronomy 16:8

Six days thou shalt eat unleavened bread: and on the seventh day [shall be] a solemn assembly to the LORD thy God: thou shalt do no work [therein].

Exodus 12:6

And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.

Exodus 12:14

And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.