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John 12:20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the feast.
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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad20.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/12-19.htm" title="John 12:19">◄</a> John 12:20 <a href="/john/12-21.htm" title="John 12:21">►</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"><b>Verse</b><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"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/john/12.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/john/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/john/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/john/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the feast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Now there were certain Greeks among those coming up that they might worship at the feast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/john/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/john/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/john/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now there were some Greeks among those who were going up to worship at the feast;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/john/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Now there were some Greeks among those who were going up to worship at the feast;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/john/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Now there were certain Greeks among those who were going up to worship at the feast;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/john/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now there were some Greeks among those who were going up to worship at the feast;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/john/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now there were some Greeks (Gentiles) among those who were going up to worship at the feast;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/john/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now some Greeks were among those who went up to worship at the festival.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/john/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now some Greeks were among those who went up to worship at the festival. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/john/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Now there were certain Greeks among those that went up to worship at the feast:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/john/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Some Greeks had gone to Jerusalem to worship during Passover. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/john/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Now there were certain Greeks among those that went up to worship at the feast:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/john/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Some Greeks were among those who came to worship during the Passover festival.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/john/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Some Greeks were among those who had gone to Jerusalem to worship during the festival. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/john/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Now some Greeks were among those who had come up to worship at the festival. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/john/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the feast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/john/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Now some Greeks were among those who had gone up to worship at the feast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/john/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Now there were certain Greeks among those that went up to worship at the feast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/john/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And there were certain Greeks among them, that came to worship at the feast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Now some of those who used to come up to worship at the Festival were Greeks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/john/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Now there were certain Greeks among those who went up to worship at the feast. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/john/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And there were certain Greeks out of those coming up that they may worship in the celebration,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Now there were certain Greeks among those coming up that they might worship at the feast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/john/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And there were certain Greeks out of those coming up that they may worship in the feast,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/john/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And there were certain Greeks of those going up that they might worship in the festival:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/john/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Now there were certain Gentiles among them, who came up to adore on the festival day. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/john/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Now there were certain Gentiles among those who went up so that they might worship on the feast day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/john/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Now there were some Greeks among those who had come up to worship at the feast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/john/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/john/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Now there were some Gentiles among them who had come up to worship at the feast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/12.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />But there were also some of them from among the Gentiles who came up to worship at the feast.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/john/12.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />Among those who came to worship at the feast were certain Greeks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/john/12.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />And there was certain Greeks of those having come up that they might worship at the feast:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/john/12.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Now there were certain Greeks among those who went up to worship at the feast:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/john/12.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />In the mean time, among the rest that came to worship at the feast,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Now some of those who used to come up to worship at the Festival were Greeks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/john/12.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />And there were some Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/john/12.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />And among those that came up to worship at the feast there were certain Greeks:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/john/12-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=4493" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/john/12.htm">Jesus Predicts His Death</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19</span>Then the Pharisees said to one another, “You can see that this is doing you no good. Look how the whole world has gone after Him!” <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">Now</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: Ēsan (V-IIA-3P) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">there were</a> <a href="/greek/5100.htm" title="5100: tines (IPro-NMP) -- Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.">some</a> <a href="/greek/1672.htm" title="1672: Hellēnes (N-NMP) -- From Hellas; a Hellen or inhabitant of Hellas; by extension a Greek-speaking person, especially a non-Jew.">Greeks</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">among</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">those who</a> <a href="/greek/305.htm" title="305: anabainontōn (V-PPA-GMP) -- To go up, mount, ascend; of things: I rise, spring up, come up. From ana and the base of basis; to go up.">went up</a> <a href="/greek/2443.htm" title="2443: hina (Conj) -- In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.">to</a> <a href="/greek/4352.htm" title="4352: proskynēsōsin (V-ASA-3P) -- From pros and a probable derivative of kuon; to fawn or crouch to, i.e. prostrate oneself in homage.">worship</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">at</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tē (Art-DFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/1859.htm" title="1859: heortē (N-DFS) -- A festival, feast, periodically recurring. Of uncertain affinity; a festival.">feast.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">21</span>They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and requested of him, “Sir, we want to see Jesus.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/8-27.htm">Acts 8:27</a></span><br />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,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/7-35.htm">John 7:35</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/2-1.htm">Matthew 2:1-2</a></span><br />After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, / asking, “Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/56-6.htm">Isaiah 56:6-7</a></span><br />And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD to minister to Him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be His servants—all who keep the Sabbath without profaning it and who hold fast to My covenant— / I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/8-20.htm">Zechariah 8:20-23</a></span><br />This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Peoples will yet come—the residents of many cities— / and the residents of one city will go to another, saying: ‘Let us go at once to plead before the LORD and to seek the LORD of Hosts. I myself am going.’ / And many peoples and strong nations will come to seek the LORD of Hosts in Jerusalem and to plead before the LORD.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/3-16.htm">John 3:16</a></span><br />For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/10-16.htm">John 10:16</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/15-9.htm">Romans 15:9-12</a></span><br />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.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/4-21.htm">John 4:21-23</a></span><br />“Believe Me, woman,” Jesus replied, “a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. / You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. / But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/8-11.htm">Matthew 8:11</a></span><br />I say to you that many will come from the east and the west to share the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-11.htm">John 1:11-12</a></span><br />He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. / But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/11-55.htm">John 11:55</a></span><br />Now the Jewish Passover was near, and many people went up from the country to Jerusalem to purify themselves before the Passover.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/6-44.htm">John 6:44</a></span><br />“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/17-20.htm">John 17:20-21</a></span><br />I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message, / that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/2-11.htm">Ephesians 2:11-13</a></span><br />Therefore remember that formerly you who are Gentiles in the flesh and called uncircumcised by the so-called circumcision (that done in the body by human hands)— / remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. / But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:</p><p class="hdg">Greeks.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/7-35.htm">John 7:35</a></b></br> Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/7-26.htm">Mark 7:26</a></b></br> The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/14-1.htm">Acts 14:1</a></b></br> And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.</p><p class="hdg">to worship.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/8-41.htm">1 Kings 8:41-43</a></b></br> Moreover concerning a stranger, that <i>is</i> not of thy people Israel, but cometh out of a far country for thy name's sake; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/11-10.htm">Isaiah 11:10</a></b></br> And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/60-2.htm">Isaiah 60:2-14</a></b></br> For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/12-12.htm">Feast</a> <a href="/john/12-12.htm">Festival</a> <a href="/john/7-35.htm">Greeks</a> <a href="/john/12-6.htm">Used</a> <a href="/john/9-38.htm">Worship</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/13-1.htm">Feast</a> <a href="/john/13-29.htm">Festival</a> <a href="/acts/11-20.htm">Greeks</a> <a href="/john/21-18.htm">Used</a> <a href="/acts/7-7.htm">Worship</a><div class="vheading2">John 12</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/12-1.htm">Jesus excuses Mary anointing his feet.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/12-9.htm">The people flock to see Lazarus.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/12-10.htm">The chief priests consult to kill him.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/12-12.htm">Jesus rides into Jerusalem.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/12-20.htm">Greeks desire to see Jesus.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/12-23.htm">He foretells his death.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">37. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/12-37.htm">The people are generally blinded;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">42. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/12-42.htm">yet many chief rulers believe, but do not confess him;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">44. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/12-44.htm">therefore Jesus calls earnestly for confession of faith.</a></span><br></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><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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><b>Now there were some Greeks</b><br>The term "Greeks" here refers to Gentiles, specifically those who were God-fearers or proselytes, meaning they were non-Jews who worshiped the God of Israel. This indicates the growing interest in Jesus' message beyond the Jewish community, foreshadowing the spread of the Gospel to the Gentile world. This moment is significant as it aligns with the prophecy in <a href="/isaiah/49-6.htm">Isaiah 49:6</a>, where the Messiah is described as a light to the nations.<p><b>among those who went up to worship</b><br>The phrase suggests that these Greeks were participating in Jewish religious practices, likely attending the Passover festival in Jerusalem. This highlights the inclusive nature of the Jewish faith at the time, which allowed Gentiles to worship the God of Israel. It also sets the stage for the later inclusion of Gentiles into the Christian faith, as seen in <a href="/acts/10.htm">Acts 10</a> with Cornelius.<p><b>at the feast</b><br>The feast referred to is the Passover, one of the major Jewish festivals that commemorates the Israelites' exodus from Egypt. This event draws large crowds to Jerusalem, including Jews from the Diaspora and interested Gentiles. The timing is significant as it is during this festival that Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection occur, fulfilling the typology of the Passover lamb as seen in <a href="/1_corinthians/5-7.htm">1 Corinthians 5:7</a>, where Christ is described as our Passover lamb.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/g/greeks.htm">Greeks</a></b><br>These were likely Gentile converts to Judaism or God-fearers who were interested in the Jewish faith. Their presence at the feast indicates a broader interest in Jesus' message beyond the Jewish community.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/f/feast.htm">Feast</a></b><br>This refers to the Passover, a significant Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt. It was a time when many Jews and God-fearing Gentiles would travel to Jerusalem to worship.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city where the Passover feast was held, and where Jesus was ultimately crucified. It was the religious and cultural center for the Jewish people.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/w/worship.htm">Worship</a></b><br>The act of reverence and adoration towards God. The Greeks' desire to worship at the feast shows their spiritual seeking and openness to the God of Israel.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/philip_and_andrew.htm">Philip and Andrew</a></b><br>Although not mentioned in this specific verse, they are the disciples who later interact with the Greeks, indicating the role of the disciples in facilitating access to Jesus.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/i/inclusivity_of_the_gospel.htm">Inclusivity of the Gospel</a></b><br>The presence of Greeks at the feast highlights the inclusive nature of Jesus' message. The Gospel is for all people, regardless of ethnic or cultural background.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_seeking.htm">Spiritual Seeking</a></b><br>The Greeks' journey to worship at the feast demonstrates a genuine spiritual hunger. We should encourage and support those who are seeking truth and meaning in their lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/role_of_discipleship.htm">Role of Discipleship</a></b><br>Philip and Andrew's interaction with the Greeks shows the importance of discipleship in guiding others to Christ. We are called to be facilitators of faith for those around us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/fulfillment_of_prophecy.htm">Fulfillment of Prophecy</a></b><br>The interest of the Greeks in Jesus fulfills Old Testament prophecies about the nations coming to worship the God of Israel. This reminds us of God's sovereign plan throughout history.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/cultural_barriers.htm">Cultural Barriers</a></b><br>The Greeks' approach to Jesus challenges us to break down cultural and social barriers in our own evangelistic efforts.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 12</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_a_believer.htm">What does the Bible say about worshiping pastors?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'deliver_us_from_evil'_mean.htm">Did Jesus deceive His brothers?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_ihs_mean.htm">What does IHS mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/any_records_of_foreigners_in_temple.htm">Are there any historical or archaeological records supporting Isaiah 56’s inclusive vision of foreigners worshiping in the Temple? </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>(20) <span class= "bld">And there were certain Greeks.</span>--Comp. Note on <a href="/john/7-35.htm" title="Then said the Jews among themselves, Where will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go to the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?">John 7:35</a>, where we have the same word in the original, and <a href="/acts/6-1.htm" title="And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.">Acts 6:1</a>; <a href="/acts/9-29.htm" title="And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.">Acts 9:29</a>; and <a href="/acts/11-20.htm" title="And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spoke to the Grecians, preaching the LORD Jesus.">Acts 11:20</a>. They were not <span class= "ital">Hellenists, i.e.,</span> Greek Jews, but <span class= "ital">Hellenes, i.e.,</span> Gentiles.<p><span class= "bld">Among them that came up to worship at the feast.</span>--The words imply that they were in the habit of going up to Jerusalem at the feasts, <span class= "ital">i.e.,</span> that though Greeks by birth, they had been admitted to the privileges of Judaism. They belonged to the class known as "Proselytes of the Gate." (Comp. Notes on <a href="/matthew/23-15.htm" title="Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, you make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.">Matthew 23:15</a> and <a href="/acts/8-27.htm" title="And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,">Acts 8:27</a>.) . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Now there were certain Greeks among those that went up to worship at the feast</span>. <span class="greek">Τινες</span> implies a group, and a larger company of these <span class="greek">ἀναβαινόντων</span>, who were and are in the habit of going up (perhaps were still doing it even when John, before writing his Gospel, had first put the narrative into words). They went up with a view to worship in the feast, that is, there were burnt offerings and thank offerings which they were allowed to present. This shows that they were not heathen nor uncircumcised Hellenists, whichever view of that word be accepted. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/john/12-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Now</span><br /><span class="grk">δὲ</span> <span class="translit">(de)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; but, and, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">there were</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἦσαν</span> <span class="translit">(Ēsan)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">some</span><br /><span class="grk">τινες</span> <span class="translit">(tines)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5100.htm">Strong's 5100: </a> </span><span class="str2">Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Greeks</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἕλληνές</span> <span class="translit">(Hellēnes)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1672.htm">Strong's 1672: </a> </span><span class="str2">From Hellas; a Hellen or inhabitant of Hellas; by extension a Greek-speaking person, especially a non-Jew.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">among</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐκ</span> <span class="translit">(ek)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> </span><span class="str2">From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">those who</span><br /><span class="grk">τῶν</span> <span class="translit">(tōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Genitive Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">went up</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀναβαινόντων</span> <span class="translit">(anabainontōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_305.htm">Strong's 305: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go up, mount, ascend; of things: I rise, spring up, come up. From ana and the base of basis; to go up.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="grk">ἵνα</span> <span class="translit">(hina)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2443.htm">Strong's 2443: </a> </span><span class="str2">In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">worship</span><br /><span class="grk">προσκυνήσωσιν</span> <span class="translit">(proskynēsōsin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4352.htm">Strong's 4352: </a> </span><span class="str2">From pros and a probable derivative of kuon; to fawn or crouch to, i.e. prostrate oneself in homage.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">at</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐν</span> <span class="translit">(en)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> </span><span class="str2">In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">τῇ</span> <span class="translit">(tē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Dative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">feast.</span><br /><span class="grk">ἑορτῇ</span> <span class="translit">(heortē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1859.htm">Strong's 1859: </a> </span><span class="str2">A festival, feast, periodically recurring. Of uncertain affinity; a festival.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/12-20.htm">John 12:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/john/12-20.htm">John 12:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/john/12-20.htm">John 12:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/john/12-20.htm">John 12:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/john/12-20.htm">John 12:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/john/12-20.htm">John 12:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/12-20.htm">John 12:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/12-20.htm">John 12:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/john/12-20.htm">John 12:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/john/12-20.htm">John 12:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/john/12-20.htm">NT Gospels: John 12:20 Now there were certain Greeks among those (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/12-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 12:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 12:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/12-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 12:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 12:21" /></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>