Matthew Poole and continuators on John 11:55

55 And the Jews passover was nigh at hand , and many went out of the countrey up to Jerusalem before the passover to purifie themselves .

Christs last Passover, which was the fourth after he had entred upon his publick Ministry, this was nigh:

He doth not say all, but many went up to purifie themselves. There was no general legal purification required before men did eat the Passover: but there were several legal uncleannesses, and purifications necessary to cleanse men from them; now those who had any special Purification to pass, went before others, that they might have time to do what the Law required of them.