John 12:20–22

Followeth to verse 37 the third part of the Chapter wherein is contained Christs doctrine and exercise upon occasion of some Greeks desiring to see him, who was now become so famous by reason of this triumph. It may be taken up in these. 1. Their deare, and way of propounding it, ver. 20, 21, 22. 2. Christs answer, wherein, waving their respects tendered to him, he preaches of the glory and fruit following upon his suffering, ver. 23, 24. and of their duty who would seek to make acquaintance with him, ver. 25, 26. 3. Lest this doctrine of his death and suffering should stumble them, he, first, by sore exercise, ver. 27. and then, by consolation sent from heaven, ver. 28, 29, 30. doth make it evident it was the minde of God he should suffer, and yet not sink under it. 4. Being calmed in his exercise, and cheered up with the late sensible consolation; he preaches more fully concerning the glorious fruits of his death. ver. 31, 32, 33. 5. An objection being moved against his doctrine concerning his suffering who gave out himselfe to be the Messiah, ver. 34. Christ doth presse upon them to emprove the present opportunity of his presence, and then closeth the conference by departing from them, verse 35, 36.

In these verses, we have the first particular in this part of the Chapter, and an occasion of the ensuing purpose; which is the desire of some strangers to see Christ. Wherein we may consider. 1. The persons who propound this desire. They are certain Greekes that came up to worship. We finde indeed that the Jewes who were born and bred among the Greekes are called Grecians, or Grecists, Acts 6.7. and 9.29. because they lived among them, and used the Greek language, yea, and made most use of the Greek translation of the Old Testament. But these seem not to have been of that sort, for the designation is different, in the Original, from that which is used, Acts 6. and 9. And therefore it appears rather that these were devout Gentiles, who embracing the true Religion, did come up at solemne times to worship at Jerusalem. And albeit the natural Greeks, or posterity of Javan, were but a small part of the heathen nations, and possibly these were none of them; Yet it is not unusual in the New Testament, to comprehend all (or the most part of) Nations that were not Jewes, under the name of Greeks, Rom. 1.16. and 10.12. Gal. 3.28. And that because the Grecian Empire had, before that time, extended it selfe far, and so gave a name to the subjects of their dominion; And withal, the Greek language being generally in use in these countries, and some Greeks being incorporate with them, it is nothing strange they be so designed. Consider. 2. Their desire, which is, that they may see Jesus. It is not needful to determine, whether they had already seen him in the throng, and now would be more familiarly acquainted with him; But it is clear from Christs answer, and entertaining of this motion, that their desire did slow from curiosity, and as they came not to Jerusalem for this cause, so they minde no more but to see him. Consider. 3. The way of propounding their desire, and how it comes to be propounded unto Christ. They do very respectively propound the matter unto Philip, and he doth consult with Andrew, and then both of them present it unto Christ. Whatever may be commendable in this procedure; as that they make acquaintance with Christ by means of his Apostles, and that Philip makes a stand in the matter till he get further advice, because these were Gentiles who had been excluded in their first commission, Matth. 10.5. Yet Christs strange doctrine, on this proposition, intimateth that he did not relish it well. I shall not determine that they used this mean, to get a meeting with Christ in private, as not desiring to be seen owning him, against whom the Rulers had such indignation, Chap. 11.57. But this is clear enough, that they in propounding, & the disciples in entertaining it, keep too great a state in it, as if accesse into Christ were not easie. Doctrine 1. Albeit it pleased the Lord, till the fulnesse of time, to give up all Nations, and did only choose the Nation of Israel to be his peculiar people; Yet it pleased him, even then, to bring in some strangers, as the first fruits, till the fulnesse of the Gentiles should be brought in, and the portition wall be taken away; for, there were certain Greekes among them at the feast. And in dedicating of the Temple, a roome was left for these, 1 Kings 8.41, 42, 43. 2. Whatever the Lord conferre upon his people, in their private and secret worship; yet it is their duty not to be content therewith, nor can they prove that it is sound and sincere, unlesse they do also frequent publike Ordinances where they may be had, were it at a great distance; for, these Greeks came up to worship at the feast, though possibly they lived far off, some of them. Though there was somewhat typical in these feasts, yet they were also solemne parts of the Jewish worship; And their frequenting thereof at the Lords command, will condemne them who are not put to such pains, and yet prove negligent. 3. Christ, when he is known in any measure, will be thought a desireable sight; Therefore they would see Jesus. 4. Such as would make acquaintance with Christ, ought not to neglect the ordinary means, or to make use of his servants; for, in so far they were right, in that they came to Philip, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. We need not conceive that they came to Philip, upon any particular acquaintance, because he was of Bethsaida of Galilee, which lay nearer the confines of the Land; But because they met first with him. And they call him Sir, though a fisherman, as being the civil compellation of these times, given even to mean persons, Joh. 20 15. 5. Many, even of them who make much noise of desiring to see Christ, may yet be driven so to do, out of meer curiosity, and for carnal respects; for, such was their desire here, to see Jesus, and but to see and gaze on him, who had been made so famous in the late triumph. 6. It is the duty of disciples, to make mens acquaintance with Christ; for whatever was their fault, in not taxing what was amisse, or in their own way, yet it was no fault, but their duty, to make up the acquaintance. 7. It is a great mistake, and an injury done to Christ, to think that he will keep a state and distance from sinners who sincerely seek him; And his servants do but an ill office, when they foment such apprehensions; for, whatever they deserved, yet they mistake Christ, when they thought he was like a King, who could not be come unto but by some of his courtiers, and favorits; whereas many needy sinners did come to him immediatly; and Philip finding strangers take notice of him, doth sinne in making such a businesse of state of it, as might confirme them in this opinion. 8. Christs Court would be but ill guided, if any (though even disciples) did guide it but himselfe; Men would readily befriend them who are not so welcome, and would neglect the needy, and might point out Christ as more strange then indeed he is; for, here the disciples, who sleighted little children and the woman of Canaan, now, when they think their Master is like to be esteemed of among strangers, they are foot and hand for them, though they were nothing so sincere, and they do, by consulting one with another, bear these strangers in hand, that it was not easie to finde accesse to him, that so they may admire him the more.