John 12:20
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:
American King James Version (AKJV)
And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:
American Standard Version (ASV)
Now there were certain Greeks among those that went up to worship at the feast:
Basic English Translation (BBE)
Now there were some Greeks among the people who had come up to give worship at the feast:
Webster's Revision
And there were certain Greeks among them, that came to worship at the feast.
World English Bible
Now there were certain Greeks among those that went up to worship at the feast.
English Revised Version (ERV)
Now there were certain Greeks among those that went up to worship at the feast:
Clarke's John 12:20 Bible Commentary
Certain Greeks - There are three opinions concerning these:
1. That they were proselytes of the gate or covenant, who came up to worship the true God at this feast.
2. That they were real Jews, who lived in Grecian provinces, and spoke the Greek language.
3. That they were mere Gentiles, who never knew the true God: and hearing of the fame of the temple, or the miracles of our Lord, came to offer sacrifices to Jehovah, and to worship him according to the manner of the people of that land. This was not an unfrequent case: many of the Gentiles, Romans, and others, were in the habit of sending sacrifices to the temple at Jerusalem. Of these opinions the reader may choose; but the first seems best founded.
Barnes's John 12:20 Bible Commentary
Certain Greeks - In the original, "some Hellenists" - -the name commonly given to the Greeks. The same name was commonly used by the Jews to denote all the pagan nations, because most of those whom they knew spoke the Greek language, John 7:34; Romans 1:16; Romans 2:9-10; Romans 3:9. "Jews and Greeks." The Syriac translates this place, "Some of the Gentiles." There are three opinions in regard to these persons:
1. that they were Jews who spoke the Greek language, and dwelt in some of the Greek cities. It is known that Jews were scattered in Asia Minor, Greece, Macedonia, Egypt, etc., in all which places they had synagogues. See the notes at John 7:35,
2. that they were proselytes from the Greeks.
3. that they were still Gentiles and idolaters, who came to bring offerings to Yahweh to be deposited in the temple. Lightfoot has shown that the surrounding pagans were accustomed not only to send presents, sacrifices, and offerings to the temple, but that they also frequently attended the great feasts of the Jews. Hence, the outer court of the temple was called the court of the Gentiles. Which of these opinions is the correct one cannot be determined.
Wesley's John 12:20 Bible Commentary
12:20 Certain Greeks - A prelude of the Gentile Church. That these were circumcised does not appear. But they came up on purpose to worship the God of Israel.
