Jesus did not meet the Gentiles because the hour had come for Him to be glorified through death, burial, and resurrection, which was necessary for them to become the object of faith.
Jesus' answer to Philip and Andrew was not to go to the Gentiles or bring them to Him, but to declare that the hour had come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Les Feldick explains that this glorification referred to His death, burial, and resurrection, which were only days away. Until that work was accomplished, Jesus could not be the object of faith for Gentiles, as His earthly ministry was primarily to Israel.
John 12:23-24 — This passage records Jesus' direct response to the request from the Greeks, emphasizing the coming hour of His glorification and the kernel of wheat analogy.
In John 12, some Greeks (Gentiles) approached Philip, saying, "Sir, we would see Jesus" (John 12:21). Philip told Andrew, and together they told Jesus. Jesus replied, "The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit" (John 12:23-24). Jesus did not go to them or invite them to come; instead, He focused on His impending death and resurrection. This is the only direct scriptural account of this event, and it does not record any immediate meeting with the Gentiles.
Les Feldick explains that Jesus' response to the request from the Greeks was not to meet them but to point to the significance of His coming death, burial, and resurrection. He emphasizes that Jesus had had nothing to do with Gentiles during His earthly ministry, except for two difficult exceptions (referencing the Canaanite woman), and His ministry was almost exclusively to the nation of Israel. The hour had come for Him to be glorified, which meant His crucifixion and resurrection. Using the kernel of wheat analogy, Jesus illustrated that His death was essential for much fruit—the salvation of the whole human race. Until that work was accomplished, He could not be the object of faith for Gentiles; but after His resurrection, the gospel could go to all people.
Les Feldick teaches that the hour referred to the time of His death, burial, and resurrection, which was only about 48 hours away. He states that Jesus' glorification took place at that time, and this was the reason He could not deal with Gentiles at that point.
Les explains that Philip and Andrew knew that Jesus had had nothing to do with Gentiles during His ministry, so they were uncertain and did not want to embarrass the Greeks. They went together to ask Jesus what He wanted to do. Philip first told Andrew, and they brought the request to Jesus.
Jesus compared Himself to a kernel of wheat that must fall into the ground and die to bring forth much fruit. Les explains that as a seed must be buried to produce new life, Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection were necessary for the salvation of the whole human race. Until that happened, He could not be the object of faith for Gentiles.
Context of the Event
Les sets the scene: Gentiles visiting Jerusalem during Passover were curious about Jesus, but they were not converts, just onlookers.
Jesus' Response
Jesus did not say to bring the Gentiles to Him; instead He declared that the hour had come for His glorification, referring to His death, burial, and resurrection.
Kernel of Wheat
Les explains the kernel of wheat analogy: Jesus referred to His coming death and resurrection, which were necessary for much fruit.
Seed and Death
Les illustrates that a seed must die to produce grain, and Jesus used this to point to His own death.
Summary of Response
Jesus did not invite the Gentiles; He responded with the hour being come and the kernel of wheat saying, referring to His death and resurrection.
Philip and Andrew's Hesitation
Les describes Philip and Andrew's uncertainty because Jesus had not dealt with Gentiles, so they brought the request to Jesus.
Object of Faith for Gentiles
Les teaches that Jesus was not the object of faith for Gentiles until after His death, burial, and resurrection, when the gospel could go to all people.
Identification with Christ
Les connects the seed analogy to the believer's identification with Christ in His death and burial, which becomes our salvation.
John 12:20-21: And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
This introduces the request from the Greeks to see Jesus.
John 12:22: Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.
Philip and Andrew relay the request to Jesus, showing their uncertainty.
John 12:23: And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
Jesus responds by referring to the coming hour of His glorification, not by agreeing to meet them.
John 12:24: Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
Jesus explains the necessity of His death for bringing forth much fruit.
No. According to the scriptural account, Jesus did not go to them or bring them to Him. Instead, He responded by speaking about the hour of His glorification and the kernel of wheat analogy. Les Feldick emphasizes that His ministry was to Israel, and He could not be the object of faith for Gentiles until after His death and resurrection.
Jesus meant that the time had arrived for Him to be glorified through His death, burial, and resurrection. Les Feldick explains this was only about 48 hours before the cross, and it was the reason He could not deal with Gentiles at that time.
Jesus did not agree because His hour had come for His death and resurrection. Until that work was accomplished, He could not be the object of faith for Gentiles, as His earthly ministry was exclusively to Israel.
Watch the Teaching: Romans 6 & The Old Man Crucified With Christ — Finally Explained