John 12:23

And Jesus answered Better, But Jesus answereth. He anticipates the Apostles and addresses them before they introduce the Greeks. We are left in doubt as to the result of the Greeks" request. Nothing is said to them in particular, though they may have followed and heard this address to the Apostles, which gradually shades off into soliloquy.

These men from the West at the close of Christ's life set forth the same truth as the men from the East at the beginning of it that the Gentiles are to be gathered in. The wise men came to His cradle, these to His cross, of which their coming reminds Him; for only by His death could -the nations" be saved.

The hour is come The verb first for emphasis in the Greek as in John 4:21; John 4:23: -it hath come the fated hour." Comp. John 13:1.

that the Son of man Literally, in order that, of the Divine purpose, as in John 11:50 and John 13:1, where see notes. See also the last note on John 1:51.

glorified By His Passion and Death through which He must pass to return to glory. See on John 7:39 and John 11:4.