John 12:20-22, The Greeks Arrive

20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 

Who are these Greeks and why are they coming to see Jesus? The synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) record that after entering Jerusalem, Jesus went to the temple and overthrew the tables of the money lends in the court of the Gentiles. We may speculate that these Greeks were in the court of the Gentiles—the only part of the temple they could enter—saw what Jesus did, and now want to speak with him. Many thoughtful Greeks and other Gentiles were drawn to the monotheism of Judaism. In it they saw theological simplicity and credibility as compared to pagan religions. They were impressed with its ethical call to lead a holy, religious life around the precepts of God. Unlike the questionable behavior of the Greek gods, the God of Israel gave his people clear and understandable commands on how to live. Many Greeks tended to separate their religion from their morality. In Judaism, the decalogue and its implicit morality stood head and shoulders above Greek religions and practices. 

Perhaps these men approached Philip because he was from Galilee and spoke Greek. Uncertain of bringing them to Jesus—perhaps because of what Jesus had done in the court of the Gentiles—Philip takes counsel first with Andrew and together they approach Jesus. Philip may also be remembering that Jesus had said that his mission was to “the lost sheep of Israel” and had not placed an emphasis on ministering to Gentiles. And yet Philip, knowing the heart of Jesus, does not turn them away. 

On two of the pulpits I have preached over the years, preachers are reminded of these words with plaques quoting these Greeks: “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” These words are there to remind preachers of what God calls them to do in their preaching. “Sir, we wish to see Jesus” should be a constant reminder behind everything Christians do in the church and everything Christians should attend to in the world. Our lives are to be a living witness to him. 

Think of those you know who do not know Jesus. Then think of them coming to you and saying, “We wish to see Jesus.” What would you do? What would you say? Take your answers and these people to the Lord in prayer.