John 12:21-22

12:21 So these approached Philip, ¹  who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and requested, ²  “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” 12:22 Philip went and told Andrew, and they both ³  went and told Jesus.

[12:21]  ¹ sn These Greeks approached Philip, although it is not clear why they did so. Perhaps they identified with his Greek name (although a number of Jews from border areas had Hellenistic names at this period). By see it is clear they meant “speak with,” since anyone could “see” Jesus moving through the crowd. The author does not mention what they wanted to speak with Jesus about.

[12:21]  ² tn Grk “and were asking him, saying.” The participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated here.

[12:22]  ³ tn Grk “Andrew and Philip”; because a repetition of the proper names would be redundant in contemporary English style, the phrase “they both” has been substituted in the translation.