A.T. Robertson Commentary John 6:4

"Now the passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand." — John 6:4 (ASV)

The feast of the Jews (η εορτη των Ιουδαιων). Here used of the passover (το πασχα) as in 7:2 of the tabernacles. This is probably the third passover in Christ's ministry (2:13 and one unmentioned unless 5:1 be it). In 2:13, here, and 11:55 (the last one) the adverb εγγυς (near) is used. John is fond of notes of time. Jesus failed to go to this passover because of the hostility in Jerusalem (7:1).