John 12 20

John 12:20 kjv

And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:

John 12:20 nkjv

Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast.

John 12:20 niv

Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival.

John 12:20 esv

Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks.

John 12:20 nlt

Some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration

John 12 verses

John 12 20 Meaning

This verse records Greeks approaching Philip, a disciple with a Greek name, to express their desire to see Jesus. It highlights the expanding reach of Jesus' ministry beyond his immediate Jewish audience. Their request signifies an openness to the Gospel from Gentiles, indicating the dawning of a new era of inclusion.

John 12 20 Context

Jesus has just triumphantly entered Jerusalem for Passover, with crowds welcoming Him as a king. He has also recently healed Lazarus, which significantly increased interest in Him, including among non-Jews. The specific Passover pilgrimage context is crucial, as many Jews from diverse regions would have been in Jerusalem, making the presence of Greeks natural. This request occurs as Jesus prepares for his impending suffering and crucifixion, which will ultimately facilitate salvation for all nations, not just the Jewish people.

John 12 20 Word Analysis

• And: (kai) A common conjunction, linking the action of certain Greeks.
• certain: (tines) An indefinite pronoun, indicating some specific but unnamed individuals.
• Greeks: (Hellénas) Refers to Gentiles, specifically those who adopted Greek culture and language, regardless of their ethnic origin. This was a broad category encompassing many in the Hellenistic world.
• from: (apo) Preposition showing origin.
• among: (para) Preposition indicating presence with or proximity to.
• them: (autōn) Pronoun referring back to the pilgrims or those present.
• Pharisees: (Pharisaiōn) Referring to the religious sect known for their strict adherence to the Law.
• came: (elthon) Verb in the aorist tense, indicating the action of arriving.
• and: (kai) Another conjunction.
• asked: (ērōtōn) Verb in the imperfect tense, suggesting a continuous or repeated asking, or a formal inquiry.
• Philip: (Philippon) The apostle Philip, chosen from Bethsaida, the same town as Andrew. His Greek name is significant here.
• who: (os) Relative pronoun connecting Philip to his location.
• was: (ēn) Imperfect tense of 'to be', describing Philip's state of being from a certain place.
• from: (ek) Preposition indicating origin or source.
• Bethsaida: (Bēthsaida) A town in Galilee, likely a Greek-speaking environment given its location near the Sea of Galilee and trade routes.
• of: (tēs) Definite article, used possessively or genitively.
• Galilee: (Galilaias) The region where Jesus grew up and began his ministry.
• and: (kai) Conjunction.
• said: (elegen) Verb in the imperfect tense, indicating speech.
• to: (pros) Preposition indicating direction towards.
• him: (auton) Pronoun referring to Andrew.
• Andrew: (Andrea) One of Jesus' first disciples, and brother of Simon Peter. Also named from the Greek language.
• Andrew: (Andreas) Repeating the name for emphasis or grammatical construction.
• and: (kai) Conjunction.
• say: (lego) Infinitive verb.
• to: (pros) Preposition.
• Philip: (Philippon) Repeating the name.
• Say: (eipon) Aorist imperative verb from 'to say'.
• unto: (autō) Dative pronoun.
• Jesus: (Iēsou) The name of the Savior.

Group of Words Analysis:

• "certain Greeks came unto him...": This highlights the deliberate approach of these Gentiles seeking a personal encounter with Jesus, facilitated by disciples who understood their language and culture.
• "Philip... from Bethsaida of Galilee": Philip's familiarity with Greek language and culture, likely due to his hometown's cosmopolitan nature, made him the natural intermediary. The mention of Galilee also subtly contrasts with the center of Jewish religious power.
• "Andrew and Philip, and Andrew told Jesus": The interaction between Andrew and Philip, and then their reporting to Jesus, shows the disciples acting as gatekeepers, bringing the gentile request to their master. The repetition of "Andrew" might indicate a close collaboration or simply for clarity.

John 12 20 Bonus Section

The timing of this event is poignant. Jesus is moving towards His death, an act intended for the salvation of "all peoples" (Psalm 22:27). The request from the Greeks acts as a prophetic glimpse of the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant – a blessing intended for all nations through Israel (Genesis 12:3). Their desire to "see Jesus" also echoes John the Baptist's earlier witness and the very purpose of John's Gospel: to reveal Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, so that by believing, all might have life (John 20:31). It’s a divine setup for Jesus’ forthcoming discourse on the nature of His death being a seed falling into the ground to bear much fruit (John 12:24).

John 12 20 Commentary

These Greeks, seeking to "see Jesus," represent a significant development in Jesus' ministry. Their presence at Passover in Jerusalem, a major gathering point for Jews globally, and their seeking out Jesus specifically, underscores that word of His miracles and teachings had spread beyond Israel. They were not just curious tourists, but individuals earnestly desiring to encounter the divine. Their request is not simply for a sighting, but an implicit request to hear from Jesus, to experience His presence and truth. The disciples' role in relaying this request to Jesus demonstrates their learning to think beyond their immediate Jewish context, recognizing Jesus' universal mission. Philip's Greek name and potential familiarity with Hellenistic culture make him a fitting conduit. This moment foreshadows the broader Gentile inclusion into God's kingdom, a core theme in the New Testament.