The name Philip is Greek = Philippos =”lover of horses”. See the notes on John 1:43 for more about Philip.

Bethsaida=”house of fish”.

Jesus was evidently still in the court of the women, where the treasury was, perhaps during His viewing of the poor widow giving the two small coins. This court was further in than the Court of the Gentiles and the Greeks could not go there, although they could see in. These Greeks want an interview with Jesus. They can visually “see” Him from where they are; that is not what they want; they want to get to talk to Him and know Him. They may have come to Philip because of his Greek name.

Why do the Greeks want to see Jesus? Perhaps they have heard of the incredible miracle of the raising of Lazarus, or the wise things Jesus has been saying, or they may have just witnessed the cleansing of the Temple and wanted to know more about a man who could do something like that? At any rate, Jesus is the Savior of the world and this group of Greeks represents the world seeking its salvation from Him.