John 12:20

20 Ther were certayne Grekes amoge them that came to praye at the feast:

John 12:20 Meaning and Commentary

John 12:20

And there were certain Greeks
"Hellenes", so called, from Hellen, a king of that name, as Pliny says ^F18 These were not Graecizing Jews, or Jews that dwelt in Greece, and spoke the Greek language; for they were called not Hellenes, but Hellenists; but these were, as the Vulgate Latin and Syriac versions render it, Gentiles; and were either mere Gentiles, and yet devout and religious men, who were allowed to offer sacrifice, and to worship, in the court of the Gentiles; or they were proselytes, either of righteousness, and so were circumcised, and had a right to eat of the passover, as well as to worship at it; or of the gate, and so being uncircumcised, might not eat of the passover, yet might worship at it; which latter seems to be the case, by what follows: for these were

among them, that came up to worship at the feast;
of the passover, which was near at hand: these were among those, that went forth to meet Jesus, and that attended him to Jerusalem, who were come up out of the country to this feast; and these came along with them to worship at it, to offer their sacrifices, and join in prayer, though they might not eat of the passover.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F18 Nat. His. l. 4. c. 7.

John 12:20 In-Context

18 Therfore met him the people be cause they hearde yt he had done soche a myracle.

19 The Pharises therfore sayde amonge them selves: perceave ye how we prevayle no thinge? beholde the worlde goth awaye after him.

20 Ther were certayne Grekes amoge them that came to praye at the feast:

21 the same cam to Philip which was of Bethsayda a cyte in Galile and desired him sayinge: Syr we wolde fayne se Iesus.

22 Philip came and tolde Andrew. And agayne Andrew and Philip tolde Iesus.