54. The city of Ephrem (Gr. ἐφαίμ) is probably the same to which Josephus refers (_Bell. Jud._, iv. 9, 9) as situated in the mountains of Judea. The city probably occupied the site of the modern et‐Taiyibeh, about 14 miles N.E. of Jerusalem, in the mountainous district lying between the central towns and the Jordan. See Smith’s _B. D._ 55. Proximum autem erat pascha 55. And the pasch of the Jews Iudaeorum: et ascenderunt was at hand: and many from the multi Ierosolymam de regione country went up to Jerusalem ante pascha, ut sanctificarent before the pasch, to purify seipsos. themselves. 55. This was the fourth and last Pasch of our Lord’s public life, and during it He was put to death. *To purify themselves*; _i.e._, from any legal uncleanness, in order that they might be able to keep the Passover. See Numb. ix. 10; 2 Paral. xxx. 17; Acts xxi. 24‐56. In any case where sacrifice was required in the process of purification, it was necessary to go to Jerusalem, because there only could sacrifice be offered. 56. Quaerebant ergo Iesum: et 56. They sought therefore for colloquebantur ad invicem, in Jesus; and they discoursed one templo stantes: Quid putatis, with another, standing in the quia non venit ad diem festum? temple: What think you, that Dederant autem pontifices et he is not come to the festival pharisaei mandatum, ut si quis day? And the chief priests and cognoverit ubi sit, indicet, the Pharisees had given a ut apprehendant eum. commandment, that if any man knew where he was, he should tell, that they might apprehend him. 56. Whether those who sought Jesus were His friends or enemies, is disputed. But from what follows in this verse, we believe they were His enemies, who were looking for Him, in order to deliver Him up to the Sanhedrim. *What think you, that he is not come to the festival day?* We much prefer to understand here two questions—*What think you?* Do you think *that he will not come to the feast*? For our Rhemish translation gives ὅτι οὐ μη ἔλθῃ a past, whereas it ought to have a future sense. Hence the Revised Version translates with two questions. CHAPTER XII. 1‐8. *The Supper in Bethania six days before the Pasch.* 9‐11. *The chief priests think of killing Lazarus.* 12‐19. *On the day after the supper Christ enters Jerusalem in triumph, to the disgust of the Pharisees.* 20‐22. *Some Gentile Proselytes wish to see Him.* 23‐33. *Christ (at the temple) foretells the near approach of His passion, and a voice from heaven is heard.* 34‐36. *He continues to refer to His approaching death, and exhorts the people to faith.* 37‐43. *Yet though they had witnessed many miracles, most of them refused to believe, as the prophets had foretold.*