12:20-22
It was not only Jews who were in Jerusalem. There were some Greeks as well, these would be Greeks who were monotheists. They rejected the common Greek religion and respected Judaism. They had heard of Jesus and wanted to meet Him. So they were seekers, and while Judaism had some attraction for them, they were looking for something more. They went to Philip and Andrew. This is another of those small details that adds to the authenticity of the gospels, for Philip and Andrew are the disciples with Greek names, so it would be natural for the Greeks to go to them, rather than the others. Philip and Andrew went to Jesus to see if He would see them.
12:23
Jesus’ reply seems to bear no obvious relation to the request of the Greeks to see Him, but this is not so. This is one of several times when John’s gospel speaks of Jesus’ hour, but this is the first time He has said His hour has come. Jesus was in full control of events at all times. So why is this relevant to the Greeks wanting to know HIm? Jesus needed to die on the cross and rise again and send the Holy Spirit, then the gospel could go out to all nations. It was always God’s plan that salvation would go out to all of the world.
12:24
Jesus then makes it explicit that He is talking about His death. His death would at first seem to be a disaster, but very soon it would become clear that it was the vital step for the release of salvation into the world. Just as a seed needs to fall into the ground in order for it to produce much fruit, so it was with Jesus.
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