Why were crowds coming to Jerusalem in John 12 before Jesus' crucifixion?
The crowds were coming to Jerusalem from across the Roman Empire to observe the Feast of Passover. Among them were Gentiles, called Greeks, who had come up to worship at the Feast and sought to see Jesus. This was shortly before His crucifixion.
Les explains that this was just shortly before Jesus' crucifixion, only hours away, and the crowds were already coming into Jerusalem from all over the Roman Empire for the Feast of Passover. Among them were inquisitive Gentiles, identified as Greeks, who came up to worship at the Feast. They approached Philip, one of the twelve from Bethsaida of Galilee, saying, "Sir, we would see Jesus." Philip, remembering that Jesus had earlier rebuffed Gentiles, checked with Andrew; then Philip and Andrew told Jesus.