It was almost time for the Passover Festival is literally “and the Passover of the Jews was near.” Good News Translation qualifies the Passover as a Festival in order to make this information immediately explicit for its readers, who otherwise might not have a background for understanding the term. It was customary for Jews to go to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. John mentions this festival in two other places in his Gospel (6.4; 11.55; and possibly it is intended in 5.1). It is interesting to note that in 6.4 John himself qualifies the Passover as “the feast of the Jews.” The Passover Festival took place on Nisan 14 (around April 1). It celebrated the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt (see especially Exo 12.1-27; Deut 16 1-8).

It is difficult to find an appropriate term to translate Passover or Passover Festival. A literal translation of Passover may be misleading, since it may appear to mean that some of the people passed over a river or some kind of barrier. It may be important, especially at the first mention of the Passover Festival, to indicate that it was “a festival to celebrate the passing over of the angel in ancient times.” In any translation of a Gospel or New Testament, a glossary should be provided, giving a description of major factors in the event of the ancient Passover in Egypt, just preceding the exodus of the Jews from that land.

Traditionally the Passover has been spoken of as the “feast of Passover,” but the term “feast” hardly seems appropriate in a present-day English version. For that reason the term “festival” is used, since it implies more than eating. The Passover was a joyous occasion which took a considerable period of time (especially in view of the need for people to go to and from Jerusalem), and a number of events were connected with it in addition to the ceremonial meal. Since festivals are common in most societies, an appropriate equivalent term can usually be found. The difficulty is that the terms associated with such festivals are often highly specific. If the fact that a term is specific prevents it from being used, it may be necessary to employ such a phrase as “a time of celebrating” or “days when the Jews celebrated the passing over of the angel,” or “… their deliverance from Egypt.”

It was almost time for may be rendered in some languages “a few days later would be the time for” or “soon it would be time for” or “in only a few days it would be the day for.”

Jesus went to Jerusalem is literally “Jesus went up to Jerusalem.” The verb “to go up” is the usual verb for describing a journey to Jerusalem, which was situated in the Judean hill country (compare 5.1; 7.8; 11.55; 12.20). Note the similar use of the verb “to go down to” in verse 12.

Both clauses in 2.13 begin with “and,” a common connective in Jewish Greek. Most translators into English use more natural transitional formulas.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .