11:54
Jesus did not seek confrontation nor danger for its own sake, but when the time was right would willingly face up to both. So He withdrew to a town near the wilderness called Ephraim, though this isn’t actually too far from Jerusalem.
11:55-57
We are now nearing the climax of the whole gospel. The Passover celebrated God setting the nation free from slavery in Egypt. So Jerusalem was getting very busy as many people went up to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. As part of this they needed to purify themselves.
At the same time they were wondering about Jesus. He had made a name for Himself with His healings, miracles, teachings and confrontations with the Jewish leaders. He had also appeared at various festivals, and the people knew that the Jewish leaders were against Jesus. So at this most important of all the festivals the people wondered if Jesus would make an appearance.
The Jewish leaders were on the look out for Jesus, and if anyone knew where He was they were to let the Pharisees know so that Jesus could be arrested.
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