John 4

When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,

(Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)

He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.

And he must needs go through Samaria.

Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.

Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.

There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.

(For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)

Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.

Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?

Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?

Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.

Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.

The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:

For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.

The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.

Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.

Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.

And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?

The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,

Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?

Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.

In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.

But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.

Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?

Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.

And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.

I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.

And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.

So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.

And many more believed because of his own word;

And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.

Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee.

For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country.

Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast.

So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.

When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.

Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.

The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.

Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.

And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.

Then inquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.

So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.

This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee.

What does John 4:47 mean?

Explanation

John 4:47 refers to an encounter between Jesus and a royal official, whose son was gravely ill.

The verse highlights the official's earnest plea for Jesus to come to his house and heal his son.

At a literal level, this passage demonstrates a profound sense of desperation and hope on the part of the father, who believes in Jesus' capacity to heal.

The deeper aspect of this account sheds light on faith and the recognition of Jesus' authority and power, even among individuals of stature, like the royal official.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

This event occurs during Jesus' ministry in Galilee, after He had left Judea to avoid confrontation with the Pharisees and had traveled through Samaria, where He spoke with the Samaritan woman at the well.

The royal official mentioned in this verse is believed to have been serving under King Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee.

This interaction signifies that Jesus' reputation as a healer and teacher was spreading beyond the Jewish community and reaching influential circles within the ruling class.

Theological Insights

Different theological traditions may draw varied insights from this text. For instance:

Traditional Christian theology may emphasize the faith of the official who sought out Jesus.
Reformed theology might highlight the sovereignty of Jesus over all circumstances, including life and death.
Liberation theology could interpret the event as an instance of Jesus' mission to bring healing and hope to all socioeconomic classes.

Practical Applications

This verse reminds believers about the importance of faith and seeking God in times of desperate need.

It encourages individuals to reach out to Jesus, trusting in His ability to intervene in challenging circumstances.

Similarly, it serves as a call for humility, showing that regardless of one's social status, one must approach God with the simplicity and earnestness of the royal official.

Cross-References

John 4:50 - "Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth.

And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way."

Matthew 8:5-13 - The faith of the centurion who asks for healing for his servant aligns with the royal official's belief in Jesus' power to heal.
James 5:14-15 - "Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord."

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek text of John 4:47 include:

"besought" (ἠρώτησεν): This term conveys a request or an urgent plea.
"heal" (ἴασαι): Referring to the act of curing or making whole, commonly used in the context of miraculous healing.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In ancient cultures, seeking healing from deities or holy figures was common.

Similar to the royal official's approach to Jesus, stories in Greek mythology, such as the healing powers of the god Asclepius, show parallels in ancient religious traditions where gods were appealed to for restoration of health.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern science approaches healing through evidence-based medicine; however, the interplay between faith and health, as alluded to in this verse, has been a subject of study in psychoneuroimmunology.

Some studies suggest that positive beliefs and spiritual practices can influence health outcomes, albeit not in the miraculous sense portrayed in the Bible.

Commentaries

Commentators offer various perspectives on John 4:47:

Matthew Henry sees the official's faith as being strong but not fully developed, noting that his faith grew through his interaction with Jesus.
The Expositor's Bible Commentary suggests that the official's plea signifies a test of faith, as he was forced to trust solely in Jesus' word rather than a tangible, immediate healing act.
The New American Commentary emphasizes Jesus' role as a life-giver and the universal scope of His ministry, as He extends His healing power to a gentile official's household.

John 4

John 4

What does John 4:47 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does John 4:47 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?