John 12:21

So these approached Philip, ¹  who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and requested, ²  “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.”

Mt 2:2; Mt 8:9-12; Mt 12:19-21; Mt 15:22-28; Lu 19:2-4; Joh 1:36-39; Joh 1:43-47; Joh 6:5-7; Joh 6:40; Joh 14:8,9; Ro 15:8-12

¹ sn These Greeks approached Philip, although it is not clear why they did so. Perhaps they identified with his Greek name (although a number of Jews from border areas had Hellenistic names at this period). By see it is clear they meant “speak with,” since anyone could “see” Jesus moving through the crowd. The author does not mention what they wanted to speak with Jesus about.

² tn Grk “and were asking him, saying.” The participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated here.