Charles Ellicott Commentary John 12:22

"Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: Andrew cometh, and Philip, and they tell Jesus." — John 12:22 (ASV)

Philip cometh and telleth Andrew.—It is a striking coincidence, and perhaps more than this, that the Greeks thus came into connection with the only Apostles who bear Greek names, and may themselves have had some special connection by birth, or residence, or culture with Greek civilisation. The names have occurred together before (John 1:44; John 6:7–8): they were fellow-townsmen and friends. But Andrew was also brother of Simon Peter, and is one of the first group of four in the apostolic band. (Compare to Mark 13:3.) The Greeks then naturally come to Philip, and Philip consults his friend Andrew, who is in a position of greater intimacy with the Lord than he himself is, and they come together and tell Jesus.