And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.
Ver. 55. Before the Passover, to purify themselves] They had their Parasceve and Proparasceve, their preparation and fore preparation. We must also purify ourselves before the sacrament from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, 1 Corinthians 11:27,31, cast all the baggage into the brook Kidron (that is, the town ditch), and then kill the Passover,2 Chronicles 30:14. The very heathens had their coenam puram before their sacrifices.