John Calvin Commentary John 2:13

"And the passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem." — John 2:13 (ASV)

And the passover of the Jews was at hand; therefore Jesus went up to Jerusalem. The Greek words καὶ ἀνέβη, may be literally rendered as 'and he went up'; but the Evangelist used the connective 'and' instead of therefore; for he means that Christ went up at that time, in order to celebrate the passover at Jerusalem.

There were two reasons why he did so; for since the Son of God became subject to the Law for our sake, he intended, by meticulously observing all the precepts of the Law, to present in his own person a pattern of complete subjection and obedience. Again, as he could do more good when there was a multitude of people, he almost always took advantage of such an occasion.

Whenever, therefore, we later find it said that Christ came to Jerusalem at the feast, let the reader note that he did so, first, so that along with others he might observe the religious observances which God had appointed, and second, so that he might publish his doctrine amidst a larger crowd of people.