John 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, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
The request came just before betrayal and death. At that time the work appeared defeated.
Those making it were Greeks who had come to worship at the feast. They wanted to see and hear for themselves. Their words, Sir, we would see Jesus, express an earnest and sincere desire to meet him.
Jesus was sitting in a temple court from which they were excluded. As non-Jews they were confined to the outer court, the court of the Gentiles, where alone they could enter. They therefore could not approach him directly and asked his disciples to carry the request. He receives them in that outer court.
They approached Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, to bring the request to him. Philip did not introduce them himself but went to tell Andrew instead. The two together then carried it to Jesus. That hesitation stands as an example of a missed opportunity to bring people to the Saviour.
Their message came before the declaration that the hour had come. It brought the whole mission into view, from coming as humanity's Redeemer to approaching death. In it was seen death on the cross and the victory and saving fruit that would follow. The heart was filled with love for the human race. It was seen that self-sacrifice would bring believers into harmony with God and extend the kingdom throughout the world.
The Greeks represented the Gentiles and the nations and peoples beyond Israel. Their desire expresses spiritual hunger and recognition of need for power beyond human strength. It signaled that the barrier between Jews and Gentiles was breaking down. It pointed ahead to Gentiles receiving him after Israel rejected him. Through his death salvation and the good news would reach all nations and gather people from every nation.