Who were the Greeks that came to worship at the feast in John 12:20?
The Greeks in John 12:20 were Gentiles, not Jewish proselytes, who came to the feast. They were likely curious bystanders rather than genuine worshippers. The text does not identify them as converts, so they should not be labeled proselytes. They were simply present among the worshippers.
Les teaches that the Greeks mentioned in John 12:20 were Gentiles, not proselytes. He warns against putting the label of proselyte on them because the text does not say they came to worship in a genuine sense. He describes them as likely curious bystanders who attended the feast out of interest. This distinction highlights that they were not part of the covenant people under the Law but were simply present among the Jewish worshippers.
And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:
Where were the crowds coming from for the Feast of Passover in John 12?
According to John 12, shortly before the crucifixion, the crowds were coming from all over the Roman Empire for the Feast of Passover. Among those gathered were inquisitive Gentiles, identified as Greeks, who had come up to worship at the Feast and sought to see Jesus.
Who did the Greeks approach to see Jesus in John 12:20-21?
Certain Greeks who came up to worship at the Feast approached Philip, one of the twelve, who was of Bethsaida of Galilee, saying, "Sir, we would see Jesus." Philip then went to Andrew, and together Andrew and Philip brought the request to Jesus.
More Questions
Were the Greeks in John 12:20 proselytes?
The Greeks/Gentiles in John 12:20 should not be labeled proselytes; Les thinks they were just curious bystanders.
What did the Gentiles see when they came to worship at the feast days?
The Gentiles saw masses of Jews coming from all over the world for various feast days, and the day of Passover was approaching.
Who were the Greeks in John 12:20 and how were they like Gentiles at the Wailing Wall?
Among the Passover crowd in John 12 were inquiring Gentiles—the Greeks of verse 20—who were outsiders looking on, comparable to Gentiles standing back at the Wailing Wall watching Jews perform their rituals and prayers.