John 6:4

And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.

And {G1161} the passover {G3957}, a feast {G1859} of the Jews {G2453}, was {G2258} nigh {G1451}.

Now the Judean festival of Pesach was coming up;

Now the Jewish Feast of the Passover was near.

Now the passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand.

Commentary

John 6:4 serves as a crucial contextual detail, setting the stage for one of Jesus' most significant miracles, the feeding of the five thousand, and His subsequent "Bread of Life" discourse. The mention of the Passover feast is not incidental but deeply symbolic.

Context

The Gospel of John frequently notes specific Jewish feasts and seasons, not just for chronological purposes, but to underscore Jesus' identity and mission in relation to these divine appointments. Here, the proximity of the Passover, an annual celebration commemorating Israel's deliverance from slavery in Egypt through the blood of a lamb, provides a rich backdrop.

Immediately following this verse, Jesus performs the miracle of feeding the multitude (John 6:11), demonstrating His power to provide sustenance, much like God provided manna in the wilderness after the Exodus. This miracle then leads directly into His profound teachings about Himself as the "Bread of Life" later in the chapter.

Key Themes

  • Significance of Timing: John deliberately places events around Jewish festivals to highlight how Jesus fulfills their spiritual meaning. The Passover, pointing to a sacrificial lamb, foreshadows Jesus' ultimate sacrifice.
  • Jesus as the True Passover Lamb: By performing miracles and teaching during this season, Jesus implicitly presents Himself as the new and ultimate means of salvation and sustenance. He is the "Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" and our Passover Christ, sacrificed for us.
  • Anticipation of His Passion: The Passover feast was also a time of remembrance of suffering and deliverance. Its nearness subtly anticipates Jesus' own suffering, death, and resurrection, which would occur around a future Passover.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for Passover is πάσχα (pascha), derived from the Hebrew Pesach. It signifies "passing over" or "protection," referring to the tenth plague where the angel of death "passed over" the houses marked with lamb's blood. Its mention here anchors Jesus' activities firmly within the historical and prophetic framework of God's redemptive plan.

Practical Application

Understanding the timing of events in the Gospels, especially in relation to Jewish feasts, enriches our appreciation for Jesus' identity as the Messiah. This verse encourages us to see how God's plan of salvation, foreshadowed in the Old Testament through events like the Passover, culminates in Christ. It reminds us that Jesus is not merely a historical figure but the fulfillment of divine prophecy, offering true spiritual sustenance and deliverance to all who believe, echoing the themes of provision and salvation that resonate through the Passover story.

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Cross-References

  • John 2:13 (5 votes)

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

  • John 11:55 (4 votes)

    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 5:1 (3 votes)

    ΒΆ After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

  • Deuteronomy 16:1 (3 votes)

    ΒΆ 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.

  • Leviticus 23:5 (2 votes)

    In the fourteenth [day] of the first month at even [is] the LORD'S passover.

  • Exodus 12:6 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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.