12:20-22
There were some Greeks at the festival. There is some debate about exactly who they were. The most likely answer is that they were God-fearing Gentiles. “Greeks” was a term that was used generally for Greek speaking people, not just those from Greece. They were God-fearers because they had come to worship. They approached Philip, now Philip is a Greek name, so he may have spoken Greek and had Greek connections, which would explain why they had approached him. Philip and Andrew acted with caution, probably because they had heard Jesus' words about going to the lost sheep of Israel (Matt 15:24). However, they do approach Jesus.
12:23
Jesus’ words here at first glance don’t really seem to fit with the question! However, there are two things to say. The first is that in the gospels we get very abridged accounts, so He may well have said other things as well. The second is that Jesus’ words here may be connected to the Gentiles wanting to know Him. Jesus is the Saviour of the whole world, and Jesus knows that the time for His glorification is near.
12:24
Having used the word “glorified” Jesus is quick to qualify this, or to explain how it will actually work out. Jesus will have to go to the cross first. So He talks about a grain of wheat falling into the ground and dying in order for it to produce many. So it is with Jesus. Without the cross there is no gospel. Our sins had to be paid for in order for anything else to happen.
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