Joh 12:20 | KingComments | STEP | People from the surrounding nations also came to the feast to worship. These are not Jews, but Gentiles. They may be proselytes, i.e. Gentiles who have come to profess the Jewish religion. Perhaps they were only appealed by them, as we can assume with the Ethiopian eunuch ( ; cf. ). In the crowd they have heard about Jesus and they long to see Him. This is a work of God’s Spirit in their hearts. Maybe they have a certain reluctance to go directly to Him and therefore first turn to Philip. It seems that Philip does not know what to do with this question, because he first consults with Andrew. Philip and Andrew have been together with the Lord from the very first hour ( ). Then they go together to the Lord and tell Him that there are Greeks who would like to see Him.

‏ John 12:20

Some Greeks Wish to See Jesus

People from the surrounding nations also came to the feast to worship. These are not Jews, but Gentiles. They may be proselytes, i.e. Gentiles who have come to profess the Jewish religion. Perhaps they were only appealed by them, as we can assume with the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:27; cf. 1Kgs 10:1). In the crowd they have heard about Jesus and they long to see Him. This is a work of God’s Spirit in their hearts.

Maybe they have a certain reluctance to go directly to Him and therefore first turn to Philip. It seems that Philip does not know what to do with this question, because he first consults with Andrew. Philip and Andrew have been together with the Lord from the very first hour (Jn 1:35-41 ; 43-45). Then they go together to the Lord and tell Him that there are Greeks who would like to see Him.