John 12:21

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 12:20-26

Honour is here paid to Christ by certain Greeks that enquired or him with respect. We are not told what day of Christ's last week this was, probably not the same day he rode into Jerusalem (for that day was taken up in public work), but a day or two after. I. We are told who they were that paid this honour to our Lord Jesus: Certain Greeks among the people who came up to worship at the feast, John 12:20. Some think they were Jews of the dispersion, some of the twelve tribes that were scattered... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 12:20-22

12:20-22 There were some Greeks among those whose practice it was to come up to the feast. Now these came to Philip, who came from Bethsaida in Galilee, and made a request to him. "Sir," they said, "we wish to see Jesus." Philip went and told Andrew, and Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. None of the other gospels tells of this incident, but it is very fitting to find it in the Fourth. The Fourth Gospel was the one written to present the truth of Christianity in a way that the Greeks... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 12:21

The same came therefore to Philip ,.... Who might know him; they might have been some of his neighbours formerly, for that Philip's parents, though Jews, dwelt among Greeks, seems probable, from the name given to him, which is a Greek one; some have thought, that these Greeks were Syrophoenicians, who dwelt upon the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and were not far off from Galilee, and from Bethsaida, the native place of Philip, and is therefore mentioned as follows: which was of Bethsaida of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 12:21

The same came therefore to Philip - Some suppose that these Gentiles were of Phoenicia or Syria, or perhaps inhabitants of Decapolis, near to the lake of Gennesareth and Bethsaida; and therefore they addressed themselves to Philip, who was of the latter city, and probably known to them. The later Syriac calls them Arameans or Syrians. The Vulgate, and several copies of the Itala, call them Gentiles. Sir, we would see Jesus - We have heard much concerning him, and we wish to see the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 12:21

Verse 21 21.These men therefore went to Philip. It is an indication of reverence, that they do not address Christ, but are desirous to obtain access through Philip; for reverence always begets modesty. The inference which the Papists draw from this, that we ought to call on departed saints, (19) that they may be our advocates with Christ and with the Father, is so ridiculous that it does not need refutation. The Greeks address Philip, while he is present; and, pray, where is the resemblance to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 12:1-50

III. CONSUMMATION OF THE PUBLIC MINISTRY . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 12:20-30

4. The desire of the " Greeks " —the representatives of the Western world—go see Jesus, and his reply . And now a scene is related of transcendent interest—the one solitary incident of the Passion week between the triumph and the night of the Last Supper. John assumes here a knowledge of all that, in current tradition and narrative, had taken place between these two events. The cleansing of the temple, the solemn parables by which Jesus repulsed the Sanhedrin, the conflict with... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 12:20-36

The interview of the Greeks with Christ. This is the only incident recorded between the entry into Jerusalem and the institution of the Lord's Supper. I. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS INTERVIEW . "And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast." 1. They were not Gentiles, but-proselytes oft he gate, of Gentile extraction, who had been admitted to Jewish privileges . They came to the Passover as reverent and earnest worshippers. 2. They... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 12:21

These therefore came to Philip, who was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus . The first expression of that great yearning which, swollen by multitudes without number, is loud as the voice of many waters and mighty thunderings. It is the wail of every penitent; it is the birth-cry of every renewed soul; it is the raptured burst of joy as each son of God passes behind the veil The "therefore" implies some kind of previous relation with Philip, whose... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 12:21

The desire to see Jesus. The wish of these Greek-speaking Gentiles, who (being proselytes to the faith of Israel) had come to Jerusalem to take part in the sacred festival, is a wish not to be explained with certainty. How far they were animated by mere curiosity, how far by intelligent interest and spiritual yearning, we cannot say. But the language in which they expressed their desire is not only beautiful in its simplicity, it is susceptible of appropriation by all those who have felt... read more

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