The mention of Bethsaida accounts for Philip speaking to Andrew, in the next verse. Bethsaida was the native place of Andrew and Peter, and Philip therefore was their fellow-towns- man.
[And desired him, saying, Sir.] The Greek word rendered "desired " is more frequently translated, "asked," " besought," " prayed." It implies the desire of an inquirer who expresses a wish for a thing, and asks whether it is possible for him to have it.
The word we render " sir " is almost always rendered " lord." When rendered " sir " it is addressed by an inferior to a superior. Thus the servant of the householder says, " Sir, didst thou not eowgoodseed? " (Matt. xiii. 27.) The Pharisees said to Pilate, "Sir, we remember that deceiver said." (Matt, xxvii. 63.) The Samaritan woman says to Jesus three times, " Sir." (John iv. II, 13, 19.) Here the use of the word marks the respect of the Greeks for our Lord and His apostles.
[We would see Jesus."] The English here fails to express the Greek fully. It is literally, " we wish, we desire to see."
Concerning the motive of the Greeks, in asking to see our Lord, we know nothing certain. It may have been nothing bu curiosity, like that of Zaccheus, aroused by hearing rumours about Jesus, and sharpened by seeing the procession of the palm- bearing multitude at His entry into the city. This alone was enough to excite the attention of Greeks accustomed to the demonstrations of their own countrymen on public occasions. — It may possibly be that, like the Canaanitish woman, the cen- turion of Capernaum, and Cornelius, they had, as proselytes, got hold of the great truths which underlaid Judaism, and were actually looking for a Redeemer. But we do not know.
Bengel thinks that at this moment " Jesus was engaged in the inner part of the temple, to which an entrance was not open to the Greeks," and for this reason the Greeks could not get at Him, and have a personal interview.
These Greeks, we should note, sought to see Jesus at the very time when the Jews sought to kill Him.
22. — [Philip cometh and telleth Andrew.] This expression seems to favour the idea that this whole transaction was not on the same day that Jesus entered Jerusalem. On such a day there would hardly be an opportunity for one disciple coming quietly and telling a thing to another. Why Philip chose to tell Andrew we have seen. He was His fellow- townsman.
[And again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.] This expression seems to imply that the two Apostles consulted together before they told our Lord. Perhaps, as thorough Jews, they did not feel sure that our Lord would care to give an interview to Gen- tiles, and at first hesitated about telling Him. They remembered