SEV Biblia, Chapter 12:21
Estos pues, se llegaron a Felipe, que era de Betsaida de Galilea, y le rogaron, diciendo: Seor, querríamos ver a Jess.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - John 12:21
Verse 21. The same came therefore to Philip] Some suppose that these Gentiles were of Phoenicia or Syria, or perhaps inhabitants of Decapolis, near to the lake of Gennesareth and Bethsaida; and therefore they addressed themselves to Philip, who was of the latter city, and probably known to them. The later Syriac calls them Arameans or Syrians. The Vulgate, and several copies of the Itala, call them Gentiles. Sir, we would see Jesus.] We have heard much concerning him, and we wish to see the person of whom we have heard such strange things. The final salvation of the soul often originates, under God, in a principle of simple curiosity. Many have only wished to se or hear a man who speaks much of Jesus, his miracles, and his mercies; and in hearing have felt the powers of the world to come, and have become genuine converts to the truths of the Gospel.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 21. The same came therefore to Philip , etc.] Who might know him; they might have been some of his neighbours formerly, for that Philips parents, though Jews, dwelt among Greeks, seems probable, from the name given to him, which is a Greek one; some have thought, that these Greeks were Syrophoenicians, who dwelt upon the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and were not far off from Galilee, and from Bethsaida, the native place of Philip, and is therefore mentioned as follows: which was of Bethsaida of Galilee ; (see Gill on John 1:44). This place may be interpreted, the house of hunting, or of fishing; for it is not easy to say which it has its name from, since adyx , saida, signifies both hunting and fishing: and seeing it was in or near the tribe of Naphtali, where was plenty of deer, and a wilderness was near it, where might be wild beasts, it might be so called from hunting: and as it was situated near the lake of Gennesaret, it might have its name from the fishing trade used in it; for Peter and Andrew, who were of it, were both fishermen: but it is yet more difficult to determine, whether this is the same with, or different from the Bethsaida Josephus speaks of, as rebuilt by Philip, and called by him Julius, after the name of Caesars daughter, as I have observed in (see Gill on Luke 9:10), (see Gill on John 1:44); since this was in Galilee, of which Herod Antipas was tetrarch, and where Philip could have no power to rebuild places, and change their names; and besides, the city, which he repaired, and called Julian, according to Josephus was in lower Gaulonitis, and therefore must be different, unless that, or any part of it, can be thought to be the same with Galilee: wherefore the learned Reland thinks, that there were two Bethsaidas, and which seems very probable; and it is likely, that this is here purposely called Bethsaida of Galilee, to distinguish it from the other, which, by some persons, might still be called Bethsaida, though it had got a new name. Moreover, this Bethsaida is mentioned in other places along with Capernaum and Chorazin, ( Matthew 11:21,23), which were in Galilee. And Epiphanius says f552 , that Bethsaida and Capernaum were not far distant one from another: and according to Jerom f553 , Chorazin was but two miles from Capernaum; and who elsewhere says f554 , that Capernaum, Tiberias, Bethsaida, and Chorazin, were situated on the shore of the lake of Gennesaret. It is said to be fifty six miles from Jerusalem: and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus ; that is, they entreated him, that he would introduce them into the company of Jesus; they wanted to be admitted into his presence, to have some discourse and conversation with him; and what might make them the more desirous of it, was the miracle he had lately wrought in raising Lazarus from the dead; as also the uncommon manner of his entering into Jerusalem, which they saw; and which shows, that it was not a bare sight of his person they meant, but the enjoyment of his company, for a while; and this favour they ask of Philip, with great respect to him, and in a very polite way, and yet with great sincerity, and strong affection, and earnest importunity; and was a pledge and presage of the future conversion of the Gentiles, when the Jews would be rejected. And it may be observed, that sensible sinners are very desirous of having a spiritual sight of Christ, of the glories of his person, and the fulness of his grace, and to see their interest in him, and to have communion and fellowship with him: he is all in all to them; no object so delightful, and satisfying to them as he is; and they never see him, but they receive something from him, and are made more like unto him.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 20-26 - In attendance upon holy ordinances, particularly the gospel passover the great desire of our souls should be to see Jesus; to see him a ours, to keep up communion with him, and derive grace from him. The calling of the Gentiles magnified the Redeemer. A corn of wheat yield no increase unless it is cast into the ground. Thus Christ might have possessed his heavenly glory alone, without becoming man. Or, after he had taken man's nature, he might have entered heaven alone, by his ow perfect righteousness, without suffering or death; but then no sinne of the human race could have been saved. The salvation of soul hitherto, and henceforward to the end of time, is owing to the dying of this Corn of wheat. Let us search whether Christ be in us the hope of glory; let us beg him to make us indifferent to the trifling concern of this life, that we may serve the Lord Jesus with a willing mind, an follow his holy example.
Greek Textus Receptus
ουτοι 3778 D-NPM ουν 3767 CONJ προσηλθον 4334 5656 V-AAI-3P φιλιππω 5376 N-DSM τω 3588 T-DSM απο 575 PREP βηθσαιδα 966 N-PRI της 3588 T-GSF γαλιλαιας 1056 N-GSF και 2532 CONJ ηρωτων 2065 5707 V-IAI-3P αυτον 846 P-ASM λεγοντες 3004 5723 V-PAP-NPM κυριε 2962 N-VSM θελομεν 2309 5719 V-PAI-1P τον 3588 T-ASM ιησουν 2424 N-ASM ιδειν 1492 5629 V-2AAN
