John 4:45

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G3767} when {G3753} he was come {G2064} into {G1519} Galilee {G1056}, the Galilaeans {G1057} received {G1209} him {G846}, having seen {G3708} all the things {G3956} that {G3739} he did {G4160} at {G1722} Jerusalem {G2414} at {G1722} the feast {G1859}: for {G1063} they {G846} also {G2532} went {G2064} unto {G1519} the feast {G1859}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But when he arrived in the Galil, the people there welcomed him, because they had seen all he had done at the festival in Yerushalayim; since they had been there too.

Berean Standard Bible

Yet when He arrived, the Galileans welcomed Him. They had seen all the great things He had done in Jerusalem at the feast, for they had gone there as well.

American Standard Version

So when he came into Galilee, the Galilæans received him, having seen all the things that he did in Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Upon His return to Galilee, Jesus was welcomed by the Galileans, not primarily due to a profound understanding of His identity or message, but because they had witnessed the extraordinary signs and wonders He performed during the recent Passover feast in Jerusalem. This reception, rooted in observed spectacle rather than spiritual conviction, subtly contrasts with the deeper, word-based faith cultivated among the Samaritans in the preceding narrative.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** John 4:45 serves as a pivotal transition point in John's Gospel, marking Jesus' departure from Samaria and His re-entry into Galilee. Immediately prior, Jesus had engaged in a profound theological dialogue with a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well, leading to many Samaritans believing in Him, not merely because of the woman's testimony, but because they had heard His word for themselves and knew Him to be "the Savior of the world" ([John 4:41-42](/john/4-41-42 "John 4:41-42 - Samaritan Belief")). This stands in stark contrast to the Galileans' reception, which is explicitly stated to be based on "all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast." The narrative sets up a subtle comparison between a faith born of direct encounter with Jesus' word and one based on observed miracles. Jesus' earlier ministry in Jerusalem, detailed in [John 2:13-3:21](/john/2-13-3-21 "John 2:13-3:21 - Early Ministry in Jerusalem"), included the cleansing of the temple and numerous signs, which, while drawing many to "believe in his name," were noted by John as a belief that Jesus Himself did not fully entrust Himself to, "for he knew all people" ([John 2:23-25](/john/2-23-25 "John 2:23-25 - Jesus Knows All People")). This verse, therefore, bridges Jesus' Judean and Samaritan ministries with His subsequent Galilean ministry.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Galilee, a region in northern Palestine, was often viewed with a degree of disdain by the Judean religious elite, as famously questioned by Nathanael, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" ([John 1:46](/john/1-46 "John 1:46 - Nathanael's Question")). Despite this perception, Galilee was a fertile and populous region, home to many devout Jews who regularly made pilgrimages to Jerusalem for the major annual feasts, especially Passover. The "feast" mentioned in the verse refers to the Passover (likely the one described in [John 2:13](/john/2-13 "John 2:13 - Passover in Jerusalem")), which was a central event in Jewish religious life, drawing pilgrims from across the region. The Galileans' presence at this feast in Jerusalem provided them with firsthand exposure to Jesus' miraculous deeds and teachings, creating a pre-existing awareness and expectation of Him upon His return to their home territory. Their familiarity with His activities in the religious capital influenced their eager, though perhaps superficial, welcome.

* **Key Themes:** The primary theme emerging from this verse is the **Nature of Faith**. John consistently explores the distinction between a genuine, transformative faith rooted in Jesus' identity and word, and a superficial belief driven by sensational signs or personal gain. The Galileans' reception, based on "what he did" rather than "who he is," exemplifies the latter. This theme is further developed as Jesus often challenges those seeking signs ([John 4:48](/john/4-48 "John 4:48 - Jesus' Response to Signs-Seekers")). Another key theme is the **Role and Limitation of Miracles**. While miracles serve as powerful attestations to Jesus' divine authority and the presence of God's kingdom, they are not, in themselves, sufficient to produce saving faith. They can draw attention and spark curiosity, but true belief requires a deeper spiritual apprehension of Christ's person and message. Finally, the verse highlights **Regional Responses to Jesus**, contrasting the open-hearted reception of the Samaritans, who were traditionally despised by Jews, with the more pragmatic, sign-driven welcome of the Galileans, who were fellow Jews. This sets the stage for varying levels of acceptance and rejection Jesus would experience throughout His ministry.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Galilaía (Greek, _Galilaía'_):** This refers to Galilee, a region in northern Palestine. The mention of Jesus entering Galilee signifies His return to His home territory after ministering in Judea and Samaria. The Galileans' reception is specifically tied to their regional identity and prior exposure to Him in Jerusalem.
* **déchomai (Greek, _déchomai'_):** Translated as "received," this verb denotes a welcoming or acceptance. While it indicates a positive response, the context immediately qualifies the nature of this reception. It's not necessarily a deep, spiritual embrace but an acknowledgment and welcome based on observed phenomena. This contrasts with the Samaritans who "believed" (G4100 pisteúō) in Him because of His word.
* **horáō (Greek, _horáō'_):** Meaning "to see" or "discern clearly," this word emphasizes the visual basis of the Galileans' reception. Their acceptance of Jesus was predicated on having "seen" His works in Jerusalem, highlighting a faith that is primarily experiential and spectacle-driven rather than one founded on conviction from His teaching or identity.
* **heortḗ (Greek, _heortḗ'_):** This word means "a feast" or "festival." Its inclusion clarifies *when* the Galileans saw Jesus' deeds—during a major Jewish pilgrimage festival in Jerusalem. This detail explains their presence in Jerusalem and their subsequent familiarity with Jesus' miraculous activities, which in turn fueled their eager reception of Him back in Galilee.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then when he was come into Galilee,"**: This phrase marks a geographical transition in Jesus' ministry. Having left Samaria, where His word had a profound impact, He now returns to His home region, setting the stage for the next phase of His public ministry.
* **"the Galilaeans received him,"**: This indicates a positive, albeit qualified, welcome from the inhabitants of Galilee. The term "received" suggests an acceptance or welcoming of His presence. The nature of this reception, however, is immediately clarified by the subsequent clause.
* **"having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast:"**: This crucial explanatory clause reveals the *basis* of the Galileans' reception. Their welcome was not primarily born of a deep spiritual understanding or conviction from His teaching, but from their direct observation of His miracles and mighty deeds performed during the Passover feast in Jerusalem. This highlights a faith that is primarily responsive to outward signs.
* **"for they also went unto the feast."**: This final clause provides the reason for the Galileans' prior knowledge of Jesus' Jerusalem ministry. As devout Jews, they, like many others, regularly traveled to Jerusalem for the major annual festivals, thus ensuring their presence during the time Jesus performed His signs and wonders there.

#### Literary Devices
John masterfully employs **Contrast** in this passage, implicitly setting the Galileans' reception against that of the Samaritans. While the Samaritans believed because they "heard for themselves" the word of Jesus, the Galileans "received him" because they "had seen" His signs. This highlights two distinct foundations for belief: one rooted in the spoken word and personal conviction, the other in visible spectacle. There is also an element of **Irony** present. The Samaritans, often despised by Jews, demonstrated a deeper, more authentic faith, while the Galileans, fellow Jews, showed a more superficial, sign-dependent acceptance. This foreshadows a recurring theme in John's Gospel where those expected to believe often falter, and unexpected groups embrace the truth. The narrative also uses **Foreshadowing**, as the sign-dependent faith of many Galileans will later prove insufficient, leading to their eventual departure from Jesus when His teachings become challenging ([John 6:66](/john/6-66 "John 6:66 - Many Disciples Turn Away")).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 4:45 underscores a critical theological distinction concerning the nature of faith. It reveals that while God often uses signs and wonders to draw attention to His Son and authenticate His divine mission, these displays alone are insufficient to produce genuine, saving faith. True faith, as exemplified by the Samaritans in the preceding verses, is rooted in hearing and believing the word of Christ, leading to a personal conviction of His identity as the Messiah and Savior. The Galileans' reception, though positive, was superficial, based on spectacle rather than spiritual transformation. This serves as a timeless warning against a faith that seeks only outward benefits or sensational experiences, rather than a deep, abiding relationship with Christ Himself. It emphasizes that the ultimate purpose of signs is to point to the truth of Jesus' person, not to be an end in themselves.

* [John 2:23-25](/john/2-23-25 "John 2:23-25 - Jesus' Knowledge of Human Nature")
* [John 4:48](/john/4-48 "John 4:48 - Jesus' Rebuke to the Official")
* [John 6:26-27](/john/6-26-27 "John 6:26-27 - Seeking Bread, Not Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse invites us to critically examine the foundation of our own faith. Are we drawn to Christ primarily by what we perceive He can do for us—the blessings, the miracles, the solutions to our problems—or by a profound conviction of who He is: the Son of God, the Lamb of God, the Savior of the world? The Galileans' response, while outwardly welcoming, lacked the depth seen in the Samaritans who believed because they heard Jesus' own words. This challenges us to move beyond a faith that merely seeks signs or sensational experiences and to cultivate a faith rooted in the truth of God's Word and a personal encounter with the living Christ. True discipleship is not merely about witnessing divine power, but about surrendering to divine authority and embracing the transformative message of the Gospel. It calls for a heart that seeks Christ Himself, not just His benefits or the spectacle of His works.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What is the primary motivation behind my faith in Jesus? Am I more drawn to His power and what He can do for me, or to His person and His teachings?**
* **In what ways might my faith be superficial, similar to the Galileans who believed based on signs, rather than a deep conviction from His word?**
* **How can I cultivate a more profound and enduring faith that is rooted in the truth of Christ's identity and message, rather than merely in observable phenomena or personal gain?**
* **How do I respond when God's work in my life isn't spectacular or immediately evident? Does my faith waver without visible signs?**

### FAQ
**Why did the Galileans receive Jesus, if their faith was not as deep as the Samaritans'?**

Answer: The Galileans received Jesus primarily because they had witnessed His extraordinary signs and wonders during the Passover feast in Jerusalem. Their reception was based on observed power and spectacle, creating a sense of excitement and curiosity about Him upon His return to their region. While this welcome was positive, it was distinct from the Samaritans' faith, which developed from hearing Jesus' own words and knowing Him as "the Savior of the world" ([John 4:42](/john/4-42 "John 4:42 - Samaritans' Confession")). The Galileans' response highlights that seeing miracles can draw attention and generate interest, but it doesn't automatically equate to a deep, transformative belief in Jesus' person and mission.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 4:45, with its subtle contrast between sign-based and word-based faith, profoundly points to Christ's ultimate mission and the nature of His kingdom. While Jesus performed miracles to authenticate His divine authority and demonstrate the in-breaking of God's kingdom, His primary purpose was not merely to be a wonder-worker but to reveal the Father and offer eternal life through His atoning sacrifice. The Galileans' reception, though positive, foreshadows the broader human tendency to seek signs and wonders rather than the spiritual truth embodied in Christ. This superficiality ultimately led many to reject Him when His teachings became challenging or when He did not fulfill their earthly expectations of a conquering Messiah ([John 6:60-66](/john/6-60-66 "John 6:60-66 - Many Disciples Turn Away")). In contrast, true Christ-centered fulfillment lies in embracing Him as the "bread of life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")), the "light of the world" ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")), and the "resurrection and the life" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life"))—not merely for what He can do, but for who He is. His ultimate fulfillment is found in His death and resurrection, which provide the true and lasting sign of God's love and power, leading to a faith that rests not on fleeting spectacles but on the enduring truth of His finished work on the cross ([1 Corinthians 1:22-24](/1_corinthians/1-22-24 "1 Corinthians 1:22-24 - Christ Crucified")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 2:23

¶ Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast [day], many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.

John 2:13

And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,

John 2:16

And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.

Deuteronomy 16:16

Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:

John 3:2

The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

Luke 8:40

¶ And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people [gladly] received him: for they were all waiting for him.

Matthew 4:23

¶ And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.