Note 1 at Jn. 12:23: Philip and Andrew had just brought Jesus word that certain Greeks or Gentiles (see note 45 at Mt. 6:32, p. 83) were seeking for Him at the feast (Jn. 12:20- 22). His following comments were made in response to these Gentiles.

The scriptures prophesied that Christ would be given to the Gentiles, also (see note 2 at Lk. 2:32, p. 22). However, Jesus said, "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Mt. 10:5,23; 15:24; Jn. 1:11; Rom. 15:8). This revealed that Jesus' earthly ministry was to the Jews and that after His death and resurrection, faith would be opened up to the Gentiles, also.

He had ministered to other Gentiles (Examples: the centurion and his servant -- Mt. 8:5-13; Lk. 7:1-10; the Syro- Phoenician woman and her daughter -- Mt. 15:21-28; Mk. 7:24- 30), but this is the first time that Gentiles had come specifically seeking Him instead of what He could do. Apparently, this was an added signal to Jesus that His time had come and that He could no longer confine His ministry to the Jews only. Therefore, His statements about His death and glorification (vv. 24-28), which would break down the middle wall of partition between the Jew and the Gentile (Eph. 2:11- 22) were made.