Teks -- John 12:21 (NET)

12:21 So these approached Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and requested, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.”

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Robertson: Joh 12:21 - To Philip which was of Bethsaida of Galilee

To Philip which was of Bethsaida of Galilee ( Philippōi tōi apo Bēthsaida tēs Galilaias ).

He had a Greek name and the Greeks may have seen Philip in Galilee where there were many Greeks, probably (Mar 6:45) the Western Bethsaida in Galilee, not Bethsaida Julias on the Eastern side (Luk 9:10).

Robertson: Joh 12:21 - Asked

Asked ( ērōtōn ).

Imperfect active, probably inchoative, "began to ask,"in contrast with the aorist tense just before (prosēlthan , came to).

Robertson: Joh 12:21 - Sir

Sir ( Kurie ).

Most respectfully and courteously.

Robertson: Joh 12:21 - We would see Jesus

We would see Jesus ( thelomen ton Iēsoun idein ).

"We desire to see Jesus."This is not abrupt like our "we wish"or "we want,"but perfectly polite. However, they could easily "see"Jesus, had already done so, no doubt. They wish an interview with Jesus.

Wesley: Joh 12:21 - These came to Philip of Bethsaida in Galilee

Perhaps they used to lodge there, in their journey to Jerusalem. Or they might believe, a Galilean would be more ready to serve them herein, than a Jew.

Wesley: Joh 12:21 - Sir

They spake to him, as to one they were little acquainted with.

Wesley: Joh 12:21 - We would see Jesus

A modest request. They could scarce expect that he would now have time to talk with them.

JFB: Joh 12:20-22 - Greeks

Not Grecian Jews, but Greek proselytes to the Jewish faith, who were wont to attend the annual festivals, particularly this primary one, the Passover.

JFB: Joh 12:20-22 - The same came therefore to Philip . . . of Bethsaida

Possibly as being from the same quarter.

JFB: Joh 12:20-22 - saying, Sir, we would see Jesus

Certainly in a far better sense than Zaccheus (Luk 19:3). Perhaps He was then in that part of the temple court to which Gentile proselytes had no access. "These men from the west represent, at the end of Christ's life, what the wise men from the east represented at its beginning; but those come to the cross of the King, even as these to His manger" [STIER].

Clarke: Joh 12:21 - The same came therefore to Philip

The same came therefore to Philip - Some suppose that these Gentiles were of Phoenicia or Syria, or perhaps inhabitants of Decapolis, near to the lake of Gennesareth and Bethsaida; and therefore they addressed themselves to Philip, who was of the latter city, and probably known to them. The later Syriac calls them Arameans or Syrians. The Vulgate, and several copies of the Itala, call them Gentiles

Clarke: Joh 12:21 - Sir, we would see Jesus

Sir, we would see Jesus - We have heard much concerning him, and we wish to see the person of whom we have heard such strange things. The final salvation of the soul often originates, under God, in a principle of simple curiosity. Many have only wished to se or hear a man who speaks much of Jesus, his miracles, and his mercies; and in hearing have felt the powers of the world to come, and have become genuine converts to the truths of the Gospel.

Calvin: Joh 12:21 - These men therefore went to Philip

21.These men therefore went to Philip It is an indication of reverence, that they do not address Christ, but are desirous to obtain access through Philip; for reverence always begets modesty. The inference which the Papists draw from this, that we ought to call on departed saints, ¹⁹ that they may be our advocates with Christ and with the Father, is so ridiculous that it does not need refutation. The Greeks address Philip, while he is present; and, pray, where is the resemblance to those who address their prayers to departed saints, from whom they are separated? ²⁰ But such are the fruits of human presumption, when it has once permitted itself to go beyond the limits of the word of God. Invocation of the saints has been rashly fabricated by the Papists out of their own brain; and now, in order to shelter themselves under a false pretense borrowed from the word of God, they corrupt the Scripture, and tear it to pieces, and do not scruple to expose it to shameful taunts.

TSK: Joh 12:21 - Philip // we would

Philip : Joh 1:43-47, Joh 6:5-7, Joh 14:8, Joh 14:9

we would : Joh 1:36-39, Joh 6:40; Mat 2:2, Mat 8:9-12, Mat 12:19-21, Mat 15:22-28; Luk 19:2-4; Rom 15:8-12

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: Joh 12:21

If these Grecians (as is probable) were Syrophenicians, their country was so near to Bethsaida of Galilee, which was Philip’ s town, that it is probable they might have some knowledge of him, and that might bring them to him to be spokesman; but it should seem they came only to satisfy their curiosity, for they ask for no more than that they might

see Jesus

PBC: Joh 12:21

See WebbSr: SIR, WE WOULD SEE JESUS

Gill: Joh 12:21 - The same came therefore to Philip // which was of Bethsaida of Galilee // and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus

The same came therefore to Philip,.... Who might know him; they might have been some of his neighbours formerly, for that Philip's parents, though Jews, dwelt among Greeks, seems probable, from the name given to him, which is a Greek one; some have thought, that these Greeks were Syrophoenicians, who dwelt upon the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and were not far off from Galilee, and from Bethsaida, the native place of Philip, and is therefore mentioned as follows:

which was of Bethsaida of Galilee; See Gill on Joh 1:44. This place may be interpreted, "the house of hunting", or "of fishing"; for it is not easy to say which it has its name from, since צידא, "saida", signifies both hunting and fishing: and seeing it was in or near the tribe of Naphtali, where was plenty of deer, and a wilderness was near it, where might be wild beasts, it might be so called from hunting: and as it was situated near the lake of Gennesaret, it might have its name from the fishing trade used in it; for Peter and Andrew, who were of it, were both fishermen: but it is yet more difficult to determine, whether this is the same with, or different from the Bethsaida Josephus ^s speaks of, as rebuilt by Philip, and called by him Julius, after the name of Caesar's daughter, as I have observed in See Gill on Luk 9:10, See Gill on Joh 1:44; since this was in Galilee, of which Herod Antipas was tetrarch, and where Philip could have no power to rebuild places, and change their names; and besides, the city, which he repaired, and called Julian, according to Josephus ^t was in lower Gaulonitis, and therefore must be different, unless that, or any part of it, can be thought to be the same with Galilee: wherefore the learned Reland ^u thinks, that there were two Bethsaidas, and which seems very probable; and it is likely, that this is here purposely called Bethsaida of Galilee, to distinguish it from the other, which, by some persons, might still be called Bethsaida, though it had got a new name. Moreover, this Bethsaida is mentioned in other places along with Capernaum and Chorazin, Mat 11:21, which were in Galilee. And Epiphanius says ^w, that Bethsaida and Capernaum were not far distant one from another: and according to Jerom ^x, Chorazin was but two miles from Capernaum; and who elsewhere says ^y, that Capernaum, Tiberias, Bethsaida, and Chorazin, were situated on the shore of the lake of Gennesaret. It is said to be fifty six miles from Jerusalem:

and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus; that is, they entreated him, that he would introduce them into the company of Jesus; they wanted to be admitted into his presence, to have some discourse and conversation with him; and what might make them the more desirous of it, was the miracle he had lately wrought in raising Lazarus from the dead; as also the uncommon manner of his entering into Jerusalem, which they saw; and which shows, that it was not a bare sight of his person they meant, but the enjoyment of his company, for a while; and this favour they ask of Philip, with great respect to him, and in a very polite way, and yet with great sincerity, and strong affection, and earnest importunity; and was a pledge and presage of the future conversion of the Gentiles, when the Jews would be rejected. And it may be observed, that sensible sinners are very desirous of having a spiritual sight of Christ, of the glories of his person, and the fulness of his grace, and to see their interest in him, and to have communion and fellowship with him: he is all in all to them; no object so delightful, and satisfying to them as he is; and they never see him, but they receive something from him, and are made more like unto him.