Matthew Poole and continuators on John 13:1

NOw before the feast of the passover , when Jesus knew that his hour was come, that he should depart out of this world unto the Father , having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end .

That this was the fourth Passover after that he entred upon his publick Ministry, is out of doubt, and the last he ever celebrated. We have taken notice of this Evangelist's mention of the other three: but how long what follows was before the Passover, which is here exprest by [Before the Feast] is a great question: Some will have it the day, others immediately before, as [non-Latin text not transcribed] (the very same particle) is used, Luke 11.38. before dinner, and Luke 22.15. before I suffer. The resolution of it much dependeth upon another question as difficult, viz. What Supper it is which is mentioned? Ver. 2. Those who would be satisfied in these cases, may find a collection of what is said by most valuable Interpreters in Mr. Pools Synopsis Criticorum, upon Matth. 26. It is our happiness, that tho some such knots occur in holy Writ, yet they are about things in which our Salvation is not concerned; so as without danger to our Souls, we may be ignorant of what is the truth about them.

When Christ knew that the hour (which he had once or twice before said was not come) was now come, that he must die, rise again, and in a short time ascend to his Father;

He having loved his Disciples, not with a mutable but with an unchangeable love; he resolveth upon the washing of their feet, as a demonstration of that love.

Marginal references: Matth. 26.2.