And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves. And (or, 'Now') the Jews' Passover was nigh at hand - the fourth, according to our reckoning, during our Lord's public ministry; that at which He became "our Passover, sacrificed for us."
And many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves - from any legal uncleanness which would have disqualified them from keeping the feast (see Numbers 9:10, etc.; 2 Chronicles 30:17, etc.) This is mentioned to introduce the graphic statement which follows.