John 12:21

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 12:21

Bethsaida of Galilee - See the notes at John 1:44.Would see Jesus - It is probable that the word “see,” here, implies also a desire to converse with him, or to hear his doctrine about the nature of his kingdom. They had seen or heard of his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and, either by curiosity or a desire to be instructed, they came and interceded with his disciples that they might be permitted to see him. In this there was nothing wrong. Christ made the curiosity of Zacchaeus the means of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 12:20-22

John 12:20-22. And there were certain Greeks A prelude of the Gentile Church. The phrase, τινες Ελληνες , here used, signifies properly, as translators have rendered it, certain Greeks. But all the Gentiles being thus named by the Jews, it was intended to denote their religion, rather than their country: they had been brought up heathen: they were not, however, now idolatrous Gentiles, but proselytes to the Jewish religion, and worshippers of the true God, persons who had come to... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - John 12:20-26

BETRAYAL, TRIAL AND CRUCIFIXION136. The seed must die (John 12:20-26)Among the crowds that went to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival were some Greeks. They had joined themselves to the synagogue communities where they lived, and now they wanted to see Jesus (John 12:20-22).When the Lord heard of the Greeks’ request, his response was to announce that the climax of his mission had arrived and he was now about to lay down his life. He apparently saw these Greeks as the firstfruits of a great... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 12:21

Philip . . . of Bethsaida . See App-141 . Probably these Greeks were from Galilee ( App-169 ), and, as Philip bore a Greek name, had some acquaintance with him. of. Greek. apo. App-104 . desired = prayed. Greek. erotao. App-134 . Sir . Greek. kurios. App-98 . we would see = we wish (Greek. theta. App-102 .) to see (Greek. eidon. App-133 .) read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - John 12:21

John 12:21. We would see Jesus.— This transaction appears to have been in the passover-week, when Christ taught daily in the temple, but retired to Bethany in the evening with his disciples. So that by seeing him, ιδειν, cannot barely be meant seeing his person, which they might have done with the rest of the multitude while he was teaching them; and consequently there could be no reason for them to apply to Philip on that account, or for him to inform Andrew, and for them again to acquaint... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 12:19-50

II. JESUS’ PUBLIC MINISTRY 1:19-12:50The first part of the body of John’s Gospel records Jesus’ public ministry to the multitudes in Palestine, who were primarily Jewish. Some writers have called this section of the Gospel "the book of signs" because it features seven miracles that signify various things about Jesus."Signs are miraculous works performed or mentioned to illustrate spiritual principles." [Note: Tenney, "The Symphonic . . .," p. 119. See also idem, "Topics from the Gospel of... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 12:20-26

The kernel of wheat teaching 12:20-26 read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 12:20-36

6. Jesus’ announcement of His death 12:20-36One example that Jesus was attracting people from other parts of the world follows. These individuals contrast with the Pharisees."This rather curious incident is rather peculiar to John. I say ’rather curious’ because it is unusual that we encounter Greeks in a narrative of events at Jerusalem, because the other Evangelists do not mention the incident, and because the Greeks simply say, ’Sir, we would like to see Jesus’ and then disappear from the... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 12:21-22

It may have been Philip’s Gentile name or the fact that he was from Bethsaida in a Gentile area of Galilee, specifically Gaulanitis, that attracted these Gentiles to him. Philip, who was a Jew, appears to have had some hesitation about introducing them to Jesus at first (cf. Matthew 10:5-6; Luke 18:15-16). Andrew favored bringing them to Jesus for an interview (cf. John 1:40-42). The important revelation of this verse is that the disciples continued to bring people to Jesus, which continues to... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - John 12:1-50

The Triumphal Entry. Close of the Public Ministry1-11. Supper at Bethany (see on Matthew 26:6 and Mark 14:3, which record the same incident). The event in Luke 7:36. is different. The supper was at the house of Simon the leper, a near relation, perhaps the father, of Lazarus and the sisters. St. John alone mentions the name of the woman who anointed Jesus, the quantity of the unguent (1 litre = 12 oz.), and the author of the mean speech, ’Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence,... read more

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