MPV Commentary

Some Greeks Desire to See Jesus--The Discourse and Scene

20-22. A group of Greek proselytes had come to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. They were drawn to Philip, possibly because he was from Bethsaida, their hometown. The Greeks asked Philip to introduce them to Jesus, saying, "Sir, we would see Jesus." This request was more than a casual inquiry; it reflected a deep desire to encounter the Messiah.

22. Philip told Andrew about the Greeks' request, and together they informed Jesus. These details add to the narrative's graphic force and prepare us for an important development in the story.

23-26. Jesus responded to their request by saying, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified." He was hinting that they would soon see Him in a way they could not yet imagine. The middle wall between Jews and Gentiles was about to be broken down, and Jesus would draw all people to Himself through His death on the cross.

24. To illustrate this point, Jesus used the example of a grain of wheat that must die in order to produce much fruit. This parable highlighted the necessity of His death for the sake of His mission and the fruit it would bear.

25. Jesus also taught about the importance of self-renunciation: "He who loves his life will lose it, but he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." This principle was fundamental to the Kingdom of God, and Jesus exemplified it in His own life.

26. He then said, "If anyone serves me, let them follow me, and where I am, my servant will be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor that person." Jesus claimed absolute subjection to Himself, just as one would yield to a superior authority.

27-28. As Jesus spoke about His death, He became troubled in spirit. The Greeks' request had brought this prospect before Him, and He was torn between two alternatives: submitting to the Father's will or avoiding the cross. In His prayer, "Father, save me from this hour," Jesus asked for deliverance from the cross, but immediately added, "Nevertheless, for this reason I came to this hour." This petition reflected His willingness to submit to the Father's will.

28. Jesus then prayed, "Father, glorify your name." He referred to the voice from heaven at His baptism and transfiguration, which had already testified to His divine nature. By praying for the Father's glory, Jesus was seeking to fulfill His mission and bring light to the world.

29-33. The Jews responded by asking how Jesus' death could be consistent with the Old Testament prophecies that spoke of the Messiah as eternal. They saw a contradiction between Jesus' claim to be the Christ and His prediction of a violent death. Jesus replied, "Yet a little while is the light among you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you." He warned them against trifling with their last opportunity for salvation.

34-36. The Jews continued to question Jesus, but He refused to engage in further discussion. Instead, He said, "These things I have spoken to you, and now I will hide myself from them." This statement highlighted the contrast between Jesus' words of dignity and love and His subsequent withdrawal from those who rejected Him.

37-41. The Evangelist reflects on the fruitlessness of Jesus' ministry among the majority of the people. Despite many miracles, they remained unresponsive to God's message. The prophet Isaiah had foretold this outcome: "He has blinded their eyes so that they cannot see." This blindness was not a result of human failure alone but also a divine act, which fulfilled God's purposes.

42-43. Even among the chief rulers and Pharisees, there were those who loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. They put Jesus out of the synagogue because of their opposition to Him.

44-50. In response to this situation, Jesus proclaimed a final message: "He who believes in me will have eternal life." This statement was a summary of His entire testimony and a call to those who would respond to His offer of salvation.