Joh 12:20-22 | RWP | e4.org | Certain Greeks ( Hελληνες τινες ). Real Greeks, not Greek-speaking Jews (Hellenists, ), but Greeks like those in Antioch ( , correct text προς τους Hελληνας ) to whom Barnabas was sent. These were probably proselytes of the gate or God-fearers like those worshipping Greeks in Thessalonica whom Paul won to Christ ( ). To worship at the feast ( ινα προσκυνησωσιν εν τη εορτη ). Purpose clause with ινα and the first aorist active subjunctive of προσκυνεω , old and common verb to kiss the hand in reverence, to bow the knee in reverence and worship. We do not know whence they came, whether from Decapolis, Galilee, or further away. They found the pilgrims and the city ringing with talk about Jesus. They may even have witnessed the triumphal entry.

‏ John 12:20-22

Certain Greeks ( Hελληνες τινες ). Real Greeks, not Greek-speaking Jews (Hellenists, Ac 6:1), but Greeks like those in Antioch (Ac 11:20, correct text προς τους Hελληνας ) to whom Barnabas was sent. These were probably proselytes of the gate or God-fearers like those worshipping Greeks in Thessalonica whom Paul won to Christ (Ac 17:4).

To worship at the feast ( ινα προσκυνησωσιν εν τη εορτη ). Purpose clause with ινα and the first aorist active subjunctive of προσκυνεω, old and common verb to kiss the hand in reverence, to bow the knee in reverence and worship. We do not know whence they came, whether from Decapolis, Galilee, or further away. They found the pilgrims and the city ringing with talk about Jesus. They may even have witnessed the triumphal entry.

To Philip which was of Bethsaida of Galilee ( Φιλιππω τω απο Βηθσαιδα της Γαλιλαιας ). He had a Greek name and the Greeks may have seen Philip in Galilee where there were many Greeks, probably (Mr 6:45) the Western Bethsaida in Galilee, not Bethsaida Julias on the Eastern side (Lu 9:10).

Asked ( ηρωτων ). Imperfect active, probably inchoative, "began to ask," in contrast with the aorist tense just before ( προσηλθαν, came to).

Sir ( Κυριε ). Most respectfully and courteously.

We would see Jesus ( θελομεν τον Ιησουν ιδειν ). "We desire to see Jesus." This is not abrupt like our "we wish" or "we want," but perfectly polite. However, they could easily "see" Jesus, had already done so, no doubt. They wish an interview with Jesus.

Andrew ( τω Ανδρεα ). Another apostle with a Greek name and associated with Philip again (Joh 6:7f.), the man who first brought his brother Simon to Jesus (1:41). Andrew was clearly a man of wisdom for a crisis. Note the vivid dramatic presents here,

cometh ( ερχετα ),

telleth ( λεγε ). What was the crisis? These Greeks wish an interview with Jesus. True Jesus had said something about "other sheep" than Jews (10:16), but he had not explained. Philip and Andrew wrestle with the problem that will puzzle Peter on the housetop in Joppa (Ac 10:9-18), that middle wall of partition between Jew and Gentile that was only broken down by the Cross of Christ (Eph 2:11-22) and that many Christians and Jews still set up between each other. Andrew has no solution for Philip and they bring the problem, but not the Greeks, to Jesus.