Devine Scripture

John 12:20

What does John 12:20 mean?

A plain-English look at John 12:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 12:20 means

Greeks—likely God-fearing Gentiles attending the feast—appear in the story. Their presence signals that the impact of Jesus’ ministry is crossing ethnic boundaries. They come as worshipers, showing reverence for Israel’s God, and now they seek personal access to Jesus. This development anticipates the mission to the nations. The world that the Pharisees feared is, in seed form, drawing near. Their desire to see Jesus expresses a universal spiritual hunger and introduces a moment that Jesus will interpret as the arrival of His appointed hour.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Now there were certain Greeks among those that went up to worship at the feast:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Now there were certain Greeks among those that went up to worship at the feast:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now there were some Greeks among the people who had come up to give worship at the feast:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And there were certain Greeks out of those coming up that they may worship in the feast,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Now there were certain Gentiles among them, who came up to adore on the festival day.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And there were certain Greeks among those who came up that they might worship in the feast;

Context

Following the Pharisees’ remark about the world going after Jesus, John introduces Greeks among the festival-goers. They will approach Philip with their request, and Philip will consult Andrew before the two bring the matter to Jesus. Jesus’ response will not recount a meeting with them directly but will proclaim that the hour has come for the Son of man to be glorified, leading into teaching about death as the path to fruitfulness and true life.

v.19The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Behold how ye prevail nothing; lo, the world is gone after him.

v.20This passage

v.21these therefore came to Philip, who was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 8:27

    And he arose and went: and behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship;

  • Isaiah 60:2

    For, behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the peoples; but Jehovah will arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.

  • Mark 7:26

    Now the woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by race. And she besought him that he would cast forth the demon out of her daughter.

  • Acts 20:21

    testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

  • Galatians 2:3

    But not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:

  • Acts 16:1

    And he came also to Derbe and to Lystra: and behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess that believed; but his father was a Greek.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore John 12

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on John 12.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to John 12:20.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary