Now there were some Greeks among those who had come up to worship at the feast. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me. 27 “I am troubled now. Yet what should I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it and will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd there heard it and said it was thunder; but others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come for my sake but for yours. 31 Now is the time of judgment on this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. 32 And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” 33 He said this indicating the kind of death he would die. 34 So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. Then how can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 Jesus said to them, “The light will be among you only a little while. Walk while you have the light, so that darkness may not overcome you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of the light.” After he had said this, Jesus left and hid from them.
Jesus’ ministry had spread beyond the Jewish community and some Greeks (non-Jews) had come to Jerusalem among the worshippers during the feast who wanted to meet privately with Jesus. Philip and Andrew, whose names were of Greek origin, went to Jesus with their request and it does not appear that Jesus met with the Greeks. Instead, Jesus told Philip and Andrew that the time for his glorification through his death had arrived. He used a metaphor about a grain of wheat dying to explain his death and resurrection and the abundance of spiritual fruit it will produce (1 Cor. 15:36). Jesus explained that those who follow him must be willing to give up worldly possessions and attachments to gain eternal life. Anyone who faithfully serves him will be honored by the Father (Mt. 10:32).
Jesus’ coming hour was also the reason for his distress as he pondered his impending Passion but was resolute about fulfilling his mission. Jesus prayed to the Father, seeking to glorify the Father's name, and received affirmation through a voice from heaven. God’s name had been glorified throughout Jesus’ ministry and it would be glorified again with Jesus’ death on the cross (Phil. 2:8). The crowd could not understand God’s response to Jesus because they did not understand Jesus’ relationship with the Father. Some thought it was thunder and others thought it was the voice of an angel. Jesus told them that the heavenly voice confirmed his identity and mission for their sake not his benefit.
Jesus announced that all unbelievers who were hostile to God would come under God’s judgment at Jesus’ death and resurrection. Satan would be driven out and the Kingdom of Heaven will be established. His crucifixion will draw all humanity to himself, offering salvation to all who believe in him (Phil. 2:9-11). The Jews expected the Messiah to remain forever when he came (Jn. 12:34), so they did not understand what Jesus was saying to them. How could he be lifted up? Jesus again appealed to them to follow him while he is with them rather than reject him and remain in spiritual darkness. He is the light of the world and they should believe in him.
Almighty God, help us through self-sacrifice to pick up our crosses daily and follow the example of your beloved Son. Send your Spirit to guard our thoughts and actions so that our hope of eternal life may not be in vain. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
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