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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 12:21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and requested of him, "Sir, we want to see Jesus."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/12-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/43_Jhn_12_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 12:21 - Jesus Predicts His Death" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and requested of him, Sir, we want to see Jesus." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/john/12-21.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/john/12-21.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/john/">John</a> > <a href="/john/12.htm">Chapter 12</a> > Verse 21</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/john/12-20.htm" title="John 12:20">◄</a> John 12:21 <a href="/john/12-22.htm" title="John 12:22">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/john/12.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/john/12.htm">New International Version</a> They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. &#8220Sir,&#8221 they said, &#8220we would like to see Jesus.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/john/12.htm">New Living Translation</a> paid a visit to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee. They said, “Sir, we want to meet Jesus.” <a href="/esv/john/12.htm">English Standard Version</a> So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” <a href="/bsb/john/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and requested of him, “Sir, we want to see Jesus.” <a href="/blb/john/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Therefore these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and they were asking him, saying, "Sir, we desire to see Jesus." <a href="/kjv/john/12.htm">King James Bible</a> The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. <a href="/nkjv/john/12.htm">New King James Version</a> Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” <a href="/nasb_/john/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> these people then came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and were making a request of him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” <a href="/nasb/john/12.htm">NASB 1995</a> these then came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and began to ask him, saying, &#8220Sir, we wish to see Jesus.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/john/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a> these therefore came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and began to ask him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” <a href="/lsb/john/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> these then came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and began to ask him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” <a href="/amp/john/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a> these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” <a href="/csb/john/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> So they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and requested of him, “Sir, we want to see Jesus.” <a href="/hcsb/john/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> So they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and requested of him, &#8220Sir, we want to see Jesus.&#8221 <a href="/asv/john/12.htm">American Standard Version</a> these therefore came to Philip, who was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. <a href="/cev/john/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Philip from Bethsaida in Galilee was there too. So they went to him and said, "Sir, we would like to meet Jesus." <a href="/erv/john/12.htm">English Revised Version</a> these therefore came to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. <a href="/gwt/john/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> They went to Philip (who was from Bethsaida in Galilee) and told him, "Sir, we would like to meet Jesus." <a href="/gnt/john/12.htm">Good News Translation</a> They went to Philip (he was from Bethsaida in Galilee) and said, "Sir, we want to see Jesus." <a href="/isv/john/12.htm">International Standard Version</a> They went to Philip (who was from Bethsaida in Galilee) and told him, "Sir, we would like to see Jesus." <a href="/msb/john/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and requested of him, ?Sir, we want to see Jesus.? <a href="/net/john/12.htm">NET Bible</a> So these approached Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and requested, "Sir, we would like to see Jesus." <a href="/nheb/john/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> These, therefore, came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, "Sir, we want to see Jesus." <a href="/wbt/john/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> The same came therefore to Philip, who was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. <a href="/wey/john/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> They came to Philip, of Bethsaida in Galilee, with the request, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." <a href="/web/john/12.htm">World English Bible</a> Therefore, these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we want to see Jesus.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> these then came near to Philip, who [is] from Bethsaida of Galilee, and were asking him, saying, “Lord, we wish to see Jesus”; <a href="/blb/john/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Therefore these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and they were asking him, saying, "Sir, we desire to see Jesus." <a href="/ylt/john/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> these then came near to Philip, who is from Bethsaida of Galilee, and were asking him, saying, 'Sir, we wish to see Jesus;' <a href="/slt/john/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> These then came to Philip, him of Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, Lord, we wish to see Jesus.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> These therefore came to Philip, who was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying: Sir, we would see Jesus. <a href="/cpdv/john/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Therefore, these approached Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and they petitioned him, saying: “Sir, we want to see Jesus.” <a href="/nabre/john/12.htm">New American Bible</a> They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” <a href="/nrsvce/john/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> They came and approached Philip of Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, My lord, we would like to see Jesus. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/12.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> These came and approached Philippus, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and they asked him and were saying to him, “My lord, we wish to see Yeshua.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/12.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> These then came to Philip, who was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying: Sir, we wish to see Jesus. <a href="/godbey/john/12.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and requested him, saying, Sir, we wish to see Jesus. <a href="/haweis/john/12.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> these then came to Philip, who was of Bethsaida, of Galilee, and they asked him, saying, Sir, we wish to see Jesus. <a href="/mace/john/12.htm">Mace New Testament</a> there were certain Greeks, who address'd themselves to Philip, who was of Bethsaida in Galilee, saying, sir, we would fain see Jesus. <a href="/wey/john/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> They came to Philip, of Bethsaida in Galilee, with the request, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." <a href="/worrell/john/12.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> These, therefore, came to Philip?who was from Bethsaida of Galilee?and were asking Him, saying, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." <a href="/worsley/john/12.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> that came to Philip who was of Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, saying, Sir, we have a desire to see Jesus. <a href="/parallel/john/12-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=4498" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/12.htm">Jesus Predicts His Death</a> 20Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the feast. 21<a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly."></a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: houtoi (DPro-NMP) -- This; he, she, it. ">They</a> <a href="/greek/4334.htm" title="4334: prosēlthon (V-AIA-3P) -- From pros and erchomai; to approach, i.e. come near, visit, or worship, assent to.">came</a> <a href="/greek/5376.htm" title="5376: Philippō (N-DMS) -- From philos and hippos; fond of horses; Philippus, the name of four Israelites.">to Philip,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">who was</a> <a href="/greek/575.htm" title="575: apo (Prep) -- From, away from. A primary particle; off, i.e. Away, in various senses.">from</a> <a href="/greek/966.htm" title="966: Bēthsaida (N-GFS) -- Of Chaldee origin; fishing-house; Bethsaida, a place in Palestine.">Bethsaida</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1056.htm" title="1056: Galilaias (N-GFS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Galiloea, a region of Palestine.">in Galilee,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/2065.htm" title="2065: ērōtōn (V-IIA-3P) -- Apparently from ereo; to interrogate; by implication, to request.">requested</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auton (PPro-AM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">of him,</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legontes (V-PPA-NMP) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. "></a> <a href="/greek/2962.htm" title="2962: Kyrie (N-VMS) -- Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.">“Sir,</a> <a href="/greek/2309.htm" title="2309: thelomen (V-PIA-1P) -- To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design. ">we want</a> <a href="/greek/3708.htm" title="3708: idein (V-ANA) -- Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.">to see</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2424.htm" title="2424: Iēsoun (N-AMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.">Jesus.”</a> 22Philip relayed this appeal to Andrew, and both of them went and told Jesus.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/john/1-38.htm">John 1:38-39</a> Jesus turned and saw them following. “What do you want?” He asked. They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are You staying?” / “Come and see,” He replied. So they went and saw where He was staying, and spent that day with Him. It was about the tenth hour. <a href="/john/6-44.htm">John 6:44</a> “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. <a href="/john/7-35.htm">John 7:35-36</a> At this, the Jews said to one another, “Where does He intend to go that we will not find Him? Will He go where the Jews are dispersed among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks? / What does He mean by saying, ‘You will look for Me, but you will not find Me,’ and, ‘Where I am, you cannot come’?” <a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a> Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. <a href="/john/1-43.htm">John 1:43-46</a> The next day Jesus decided to set out for Galilee. Finding Philip, He told him, “Follow Me.” / Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the same town as Andrew and Peter. / Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the One Moses wrote about in the Law, the One the prophets foretold—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” ... <a href="/john/3-14.htm">John 3:14-15</a> Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, / that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life. <a href="/john/10-16.htm">John 10:16</a> I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd. <a href="/john/17-3.htm">John 17:3</a> Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. <a href="/acts/8-27.htm">Acts 8:27-31</a> So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official in charge of the entire treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. He had gone to Jerusalem to worship, / and on his return was sitting in his chariot reading Isaiah the prophet. / The Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to that chariot and stay by it.” ... <a href="/acts/17-4.htm">Acts 17:4</a> Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few leading women. <a href="/acts/17-12.htm">Acts 17:12</a> As a result, many of them believed, along with quite a few prominent Greek women and men. <a href="/romans/15-9.htm">Romans 15:9-12</a> so that the Gentiles may glorify God for His mercy. As it is written: “Therefore I will praise You among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to Your name.” / Again, it says: “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people.” / And again: “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and extol Him, all you peoples.” ... <a href="/isaiah/2-2.htm">Isaiah 2:2-3</a> In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. / And many peoples will come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways so that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. <a href="/isaiah/11-10.htm">Isaiah 11:10</a> On that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples. The nations will seek Him, and His place of rest will be glorious. <a href="/isaiah/42-1.htm">Isaiah 42:1-4</a> “Here is My Servant, whom I uphold, My Chosen One, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations. / He will not cry out or raise His voice, nor make His voice heard in the streets. / A bruised reed He will not break and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice. ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.Philip.<a href="/john/1-43.htm">John 1:43-47</a> The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me… <a href="/john/6-5.htm">John 6:5-7</a> When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? … <a href="/john/14-8.htm">John 14:8,9</a> Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us… we would.<a href="/john/1-36.htm">John 1:36-39</a> And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! … <a href="/john/6-40.htm">John 6:40</a> And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.<a href="/matthew/2-2.htm">Matthew 2:2</a> Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/1-44.htm">Bethsaida</a> <a href="/john/1-44.htm">Beth-Saida</a> <a href="/john/1-44.htm">Beth-Sa'ida</a> <a href="/john/7-44.htm">Desired</a> <a href="/john/7-52.htm">Galilee</a> <a href="/john/12-16.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/john/6-7.htm">Philip</a> <a href="/john/11-22.htm">Request</a> <a href="/john/11-34.htm">Sir</a> <a href="/john/9-27.htm">Want</a> <a href="/john/9-27.htm">Wish</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/11-21.htm">Bethsaida</a> <a href="/matthew/11-21.htm">Beth-Saida</a> <a href="/matthew/11-21.htm">Beth-Sa'ida</a> <a href="/john/16-19.htm">Desired</a> <a href="/john/21-2.htm">Galilee</a> <a href="/john/12-22.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/john/12-22.htm">Philip</a> <a href="/john/14-13.htm">Request</a> <a href="/john/13-6.htm">Sir</a> <a href="/john/17-24.htm">Want</a> <a href="/john/15-7.htm">Wish</a><div class="vheading2">John 12</div>1. <a href="/john/12-1.htm">Jesus excuses Mary anointing his feet.</a> 9. <a href="/john/12-9.htm">The people flock to see Lazarus.</a> 10. <a href="/john/12-10.htm">The chief priests consult to kill him.</a> 12. <a href="/john/12-12.htm">Jesus rides into Jerusalem.</a> 20. <a href="/john/12-20.htm">Greeks desire to see Jesus.</a> 23. <a href="/john/12-23.htm">He foretells his death.</a> 37. <a href="/john/12-37.htm">The people are generally blinded;</a> 42. <a href="/john/12-42.htm">yet many chief rulers believe, but do not confess him;</a> 44. <a href="/john/12-44.htm">therefore Jesus calls earnestly for confession of faith.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>They came to Philip Philip, one of the twelve apostles, is a Greek name, which may have made him more approachable to the Greeks mentioned in this passage. His role as an apostle is significant, as he is often seen as a bridge between Jewish and Gentile believers. This approach to Philip highlights the early church's mission to reach beyond Jewish communities.who was from Bethsaida in Galilee Bethsaida is a town located on the northeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. It is known as the hometown of several apostles, including Peter, Andrew, and Philip. The region of Galilee was a melting pot of cultures and languages, which may have contributed to Philip's ability to communicate with the Greeks. This geographical detail underscores the diverse background of Jesus' followers.and requested of him The act of requesting indicates a level of respect and desire for understanding. It reflects the Greeks' genuine interest in Jesus' teachings and their recognition of Philip as a mediator. This request can be seen as a fulfillment of the prophecy that the nations would seek the Messiah (<a href="/isaiah/11-10.htm">Isaiah 11:10</a>).“Sir, we want to see Jesus.” The title "Sir" shows respect and acknowledges Philip's position among Jesus' followers. The Greeks' desire to see Jesus signifies a broader interest in His message beyond the Jewish community. This moment foreshadows the inclusion of Gentiles in the Christian faith, aligning with Jesus' mission to be the Savior of all humanity (<a href="/john/3-16.htm">John 3:16</a>). Their request symbolizes a spiritual longing and recognition of Jesus as a significant figure, possibly even the Messiah.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/philip.htm">Philip</a> One of Jesus' twelve apostles, known for his role in bringing others to Jesus. He was from Bethsaida, a town in Galilee. 2. <a href="/topical/b/bethsaida.htm">Bethsaida</a> A fishing village on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. It was the hometown of Philip, Andrew, and Peter. 3. <a href="/topical/g/greeks.htm">Greeks</a> Non-Jewish individuals who were likely God-fearers or proselytes, showing interest in the Jewish faith and Jesus' teachings. 4. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> The central figure of the New Testament, the Messiah, and the Son of God, whom the Greeks desired to see. 5. <a href="/topical/p/passover_festival.htm">Passover Festival</a> A significant Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites' exodus from Egypt. It was during this time that the events of <a href="/bsb/john/12.htm">John 12</a> took place.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/d/desire_to_know_jesus.htm">Desire to Know Jesus</a> The Greeks' request to see Jesus highlights a universal longing for truth and connection with the divine. We should cultivate and encourage this desire in ourselves and others. <a href="/topical/r/role_of_intermediaries.htm">Role of Intermediaries</a> Philip acts as an intermediary, showing the importance of believers in guiding seekers to Christ. We are called to be bridges for others to encounter Jesus. <a href="/topical/i/inclusivity_of_the_gospel.htm">Inclusivity of the Gospel</a> The interest of the Greeks signifies the breaking of ethnic and cultural barriers, emphasizing that the Gospel is for all people. <a href="/topical/s/seeking_jesus_in_community.htm">Seeking Jesus in Community</a> The Greeks approached Philip together, illustrating the value of seeking Jesus within a community of believers. <a href="/topical/r/responding_to_spiritual_curiosity.htm">Responding to Spiritual Curiosity</a> Like Philip, we should be ready to respond to those who express a desire to know more about Jesus, guiding them with wisdom and love.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 12</a> <a href="/q/day_26_insights_on_spiritual_growth.htm">What events define the Triumphal Entry in Volume 23?</a> <a href="/q/who_were_the_twelve_apostles_of_jesus.htm">Who were the Twelve Apostles of Jesus?</a> <a href="/q/what's_palm_sunday's_significance.htm">What is the significance of Palm Sunday?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_the_crucifixion_in_journey.htm">What events mark the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(21) The same came therefore to Philip.--We have no indication of the time when, or of the place where, these words were spoken. St. John alone gives us this incident, and he gives us this incident only, of all that occurred, as we know from the earlier I Gospels, between the entry into Jerusalem and the Last Supper; and he relates this coming of the Greeks not for the sake of the fact itself, but for that of the discourse which followed upon it. He is careful, therefore, only to mention it, and is not concerned, for the purpose he has in view, with any of the historic details. The last words of the discourse (<a href="/john/12-36.htm" title="While you have light, believe in the light, that you may be the children of light. These things spoke Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.">John 12:36</a>) do, however, intimate that they were followed by a retirement from public teaching, and from public appearance in Jerusalem. They would, then,-be among the last words spoken in the Temple before the retirement to-Bethany, on the evening of what we call Wednesday. (Comp. <a href="/luke/21-37.htm" title="And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and stayed in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.">Luke 21:37</a>.) They were uttered, probably, in the Court of the Gentiles, as He passed from the Court of the Women, which, as the most public place for Jewish assemblies, was the frequent scene of His teaching. On the previous day, the Court of the Gentiles had been cleansed from the traffic and merchandise which had been customary in it, and the temple had been declared to be "a house of prayer for all nations." The court of the Gentiles was divided from the inner square of the Temple by a stone fence, bearing upon pillars, placed at regular distances, the following words in Greek and Latin:--"No alien must pass within the fence round the Temple and the court. If any one be caught doing so, he must blame himself for the death that will follow." This prohibition was known before, from Josephus (Ant. xv. 11, 5); but in our own day one of the very slabs, bearing the exact words, has been discovered by M. Ganneau during the excavations of the Palestine Exploration Fund. (Comp. Note on <a href="/context/acts/22-28.htm" title="And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.">Acts 22:28-29</a>, and especially the Note on <a href="/mark/11-17.htm" title="And he taught, saying to them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but you have made it a den of thieves.">Mark 11:17</a>.) The events and the words of these days must have brought strange thoughts to the minds of proselytes, men who were worshippers of the one God by personal conviction, and not because of the faith of their ancestors; and with hearts filled with wonder as to what these things meant--half-grasping, it may be, the truth that this middle wall of partition should be broken down--they ask for a special interview with Jesus. (Comp. <a href="/ephesians/2-12.htm" title="That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:">Ephesians 2:12</a> et seq.)Which was of Bethsaida of Galilee.--The mention of this place again here seems to intend that it should be told as explaining why these Greeks came to Philip. They may have themselves come from the neighbourhood of Bethsaida, or from one of the Greek cities of Decapolis. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 21. - These therefore came to Philip, who was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. The first expression of that great yearning which, swollen by multitudes without number, is loud as the voice of many waters and mighty thunderings. It is the wail of every penitent; it is the birth-cry of every renewed soul; it is the raptured burst of joy as each son of God passes behind the veil The "therefore" implies some kind of previous relation with Philip, whose somewhat timid, cautious, speculative mind, as hinted in the earlier portions of the Gospel, made him accessible to them. Personal acquaintance is, of course, possible. Was Philip identical with the Aristion of Papias (see Introduction, p. 34, and Archdeacon Farrar, Expositor, November, 1881)? The mention of Bethsaida of Galilee confirms the suggestion that they were inhabitants of one of the Greek cities of Decapolis, or of the slopes of the Lebanon. Many commentators refer to Philip's Greek name as indicating proclivities or sympathies on his part which would make him peculiarly accessible. <a href="/commentaries/john/12-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>They οὗτοι (houtoi) Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. came προσῆλθον (prosēlthon) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4334.htm">Strong's 4334: </a> From pros and erchomai; to approach, i.e. come near, visit, or worship, assent to. to Philip, Φιλίππῳ (Philippō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5376.htm">Strong's 5376: </a> From philos and hippos; fond of horses; Philippus, the name of four Israelites. who was τῷ (tō) Article - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. from ἀπὸ (apo) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_575.htm">Strong's 575: </a> From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses. Bethsaida Βηθσαϊδὰ (Bēthsaida) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_966.htm">Strong's 966: </a> Of Chaldee origin; fishing-house; Bethsaida, a place in Palestine. in Galilee, Γαλιλαίας (Galilaias) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1056.htm">Strong's 1056: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Galiloea, a region of Palestine. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. requested ἠρώτων (ērōtōn) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2065.htm">Strong's 2065: </a> Apparently from ereo; to interrogate; by implication, to request. of him, αὐτὸν (auton) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. “Sir, Κύριε (Kyrie) Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2962.htm">Strong's 2962: </a> Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master. we want θέλομεν (thelomen) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2309.htm">Strong's 2309: </a> To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design. to see ἰδεῖν (idein) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_3708.htm">Strong's 3708: </a> Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear. Jesus.” Ἰησοῦν (Iēsoun) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2424.htm">Strong's 2424: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/12-21.htm">John 12:21 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/12-21.htm">John 12:21 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/12-21.htm">John 12:21 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/12-21.htm">John 12:21 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/12-21.htm">John 12:21 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/12-21.htm">John 12:21 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/12-21.htm">John 12:21 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/12-21.htm">John 12:21 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/12-21.htm">John 12:21 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/12-21.htm">John 12:21 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/12-21.htm">NT Gospels: John 12:21 These therefore came to Philip who was (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/12-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 12:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 12:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/12-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 12:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 12:22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>