Charles Spurgeon Commentary John 12:20-21

"Now there were certain Greeks among those that went up to worship at the feast: these therefore came to Philip, who was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus." — John 12:20-21 (ASV)

And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: the same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.

There is no doubt that these men were Gentiles, – probably proselytes. They had come up to worship at the feast, and their curiosity had been excited, and their interest had been awakened, by what they had seen and heard about Jesus. There appears to have been at least some measure of reverence for him in their minds.

Hence they addressed one of his disciples, whose purely Greek name may lead us to suppose that he had some Greek relatives.

They said to Philip, "Sir, we would see Jesus."

And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.

I do not know why these Greeks went to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, unless it was because he had a Greek name.

Yet Andrew and Peter also had Greek names. If I went to Paris, and wanted to see the President, and knew that there was somebody in the cabinet who had an English name, I should probably say, "Well, either he is an Englishman, or he is of English parentage, so he may take an interest in me, and get me the introduction I want."

Perhaps that was the reason why these Greeks came to Philip. I cannot think of any other; but I know that, if you want to get to Christ, you will always find some way of doing it, and that the reason why so many people do not get to Him is because they do not want to do so.

You may all come to Jesus Christ if you will. But, alas! until His grace controls it and changes it, your will inclines you to stay further away from Christ rather than to come to Him.

And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.

They were proselytes, who had learned to worship Jehovah.

Something more than mere curiosity must have moved them to want to see Jesus. Having heard of his raising the dead, they had a desire, and a very proper desire, to know more of him, so they asked to be introduced to him by one who, though not a Greek, had a Greek name, and who may therefore have served as a kind of bridge for these Greeks to reach the Saviour.