Steve,
John 12:20 below, can you give an answer as to why Jesus responded in the manner He did when the Greeks wanted to meet with Him? I remember reading a commentary many years ago which said the Greeks were going to ask Jesus to come to Greece and be their king. Jesus, knowing what they were going to ask, answered in the manner cited below. I believe these Greeks were Greek-Israelites. I’ve read several commentaries on these verses and everyone glosses over it in the usual manner. But I think there’s something under the surface that we’re missing. Comment?
Jeff
(20) “And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: (21) The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. (22) Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. (23) And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. (24) Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. (25) He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.(26) If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.”
MyReply
Jeff,
It makes sense that the Greeks referred to in John 12:20 may have been Israelites, although it is also possible that they were believing proselytes making a journey to Jerusalem. They certainly had to be devout to have been in Jerusalem to keep the annual Holy Days of Leviticus 23. The tribes of Dan and Simeon were both active in the region of Greece. The “Danaan” were known to be present in Greek regions and my article on “the Missing Simeonites” makes the case that Sparta was a Simeonite city. I have not previously encountered the suggestion that these particular Greeks wanted Jesus to be their ruler. That is a speculative possibility, but I can’t see that as being evident in the narrative.
Steve
