Question: Explain John 18:28: "But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover." If Passover had already been observed, how could this passage speak of the leaders' precautions that were made that they might eat the Passover? John 18:28 Very concerned about ceremonial defilement (Lk. 11:39). that they might eat... From Hend: a. John, in complete harmony with the Synoptics, teaches that on Thursday-evening Jesus partook of the Passover-supper with his disciples. b. The Fourth Gospel, in complete harmony with the Synoptics, teaches that Jesus was crucified on the next day, that is, on Friday. c. Jesus was crucified on the 15th day of Nissan. Two solutions: a) Passover is used here to refer to the entire feast, which included the week of unleavened bread (cf. Ex. 12:18-19; 2 Chron. 30:22) Hend: The term Passover elsewhere in John refers to the entire seven-day feast; if elsewhere, why not here? (See also Lk. 22:1) (p.402).. b) The Sanhedrists had dropped everything, being so preoccupied with the arrest and trial of Jesus that they had not time for their Passover-meal. Does not say "everybody." Specifies that the members of the Sanhedrin and their temple-police did not enter the governor's palace. The Sanhedrin had been awaiting Judas (Mt. 26:14-16). They did not know just when he would come (Lk. 22:6). The chief priest had to be ready. They also wanted to take part in the arrest, even though it be merely as spectators (Lk. 22:53). Then there was the night-trial. All this took time, much time. Hence, they were convinced that in the interest of the one really important assignment, namely, to get rid of Jesus (see 11:48-50),--all else, even the Passover Supper, could afford to wait. Hence, when very early in the morning they brought Jesus before Pilate, that had not yet partaken of the Passover-meal. They must not defile themselves by entering the house of a heathen (see Acts 10:28; 11:3). Hence, these hypocrites who regard ceremonial defilement to be so much worse than moral defilement (Lk. 11:39) cannot enter the Praetorium. Once Jesus is actually hanging on the cross, they can go home and eat the lamb! (Hend.403).