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 4:50 mean?

Explanation

John 4:50 records a conversation between Jesus and a royal official whose son was ill.

When the official seeks Jesus's help, Jesus responds not by physically going to the son, but by simply giving the man his word that his son will live.

The official believes Jesus's assurance, and in faith, he departs without any physical evidence of his son's healing.

This verse exemplifies the power of Jesus's word and the requirement of faith.

The literal meaning is a straightforward report of an event where a healing occurs at the command of Jesus.

The deeper meaning points to the authority of Jesus's words and the miraculous healings that bear witness to his identity as the Son of God.

It also highlights the theme of faith in Jesus's teachings, demonstrating that belief in his word is essential for experiencing the works of God.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

The Gospel of John is believed to have been written between AD 90 and AD 110.

At this time, Christianity was spreading but was also facing skepticism and persecution.

John's Gospel often aimed to confirm the divinity of Jesus to a mixed audience of Jews and Gentiles.

The event in John 4:50 is part of a larger narrative often referred to as the "second sign" in John's Gospel (following the first sign, which was the changing of water into wine at Cana).

The event takes place in Galilee, where Jesus had a significant following, and the royal official may have been connected to King Herod's court.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse is significant for several reasons.

First, it confirms the idea of Jesus as a healer and miracle-worker, which is central to Christian belief.

Second, it emphasizes the concept of faith; the official's belief in Jesus's word alone was enough for his son to be healed.

This mirrors the Christian understanding that faith in Jesus's redemptive work is essential for salvation.

Different theological traditions may emphasize various aspects of this story, such as a literal interpretation of the miracle, the significance of Jesus's word as holding divine power, or a symbolic interpretation where the healing represents the spiritual renewal that comes through faith in Christ.

Practical Applications

John 4:50 can inspire contemporary believers to trust in the promises of Jesus, even when physical evidence is lacking. This trust in Jesus's words can provide comfort in times of distress and reinforce the importance of faith over sight.

The verse can also motivate believers to speak and act with integrity, mirroring the trustworthiness of Jesus's words.

Moreover, it can encourage Christians to pray with confidence, trusting that God hears and responds to their requests according to His will.

Cross-References

John 4:48: "Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe."
John 4:53: "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."
John 11:40: "Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?"
Matthew 8:13: "And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee.

And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour."

Hebrews 11:1: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

Language Study

The key phrase "thy son liveth" (Greek: "ὁ υἱός σου ζῇ") involves the verb "ζῇ," which is the present active indicative of "ζάω," meaning "to live." The present tense indicates a current state, signifying that the son's healing is already in effect at the moment Jesus speaks.

The word "believed" (Greek: "ἐπίστευσεν") is aorist indicative active, suggesting a decisive action of believing in Jesus's statement. The aorist tense typically denotes a past action without indicating the process or duration.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparing this verse to other ancient religious texts, one could look at similar themes of faith and the power of words.

Ancient Egyptian and Greek myths, for example, often feature gods whose words effect immediate change in the physical world.

In Hinduism, the power of mantras or sacred words has a similar sense of invoking change or healing.

However, the uniqueness in John 4:50 centers on the personal and approachable nature of Jesus, which contrasts with the more distant deities of many ancient religions.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific perspectives might explore the psychosomatic effects of belief and relief in a person's health.

While a direct correlation between speech and physical healing as described in this verse is not evidenced in medical literature, there is ample documentation of the placebo effect, where a patient's condition improves due to their belief in the treatment rather than the treatment itself.

Additionally, the power of positive thinking and faith on health outcomes is a well-documented phenomenon in psychoneuroimmunology.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer various insights into John 4:50.

Commentators like Matthew Henry stress the simplicity of the miracle and the strong faith exhibited by the official.

Other scholars, like William Barclay, note the distinction between faith that needs signs and wonders and faith that trusts purely in the word of Jesus.

More contemporary theologians may discuss the implications of this passage for understanding the nature of faith and the modern application in the context of a scientifically advanced society.

Overall, commentaries recognize the significant themes of belief, the power of Jesus's words, and the miracle that serves to substantiate his divine authority.

John 4

John 4

What does John 4:50 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 4:50 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?