John 4:46

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

So {G3767} Jesus {G2424} came {G2064} again {G3825} into {G1519} Cana {G2580} of Galilee {G1056}, where {G3699} he made {G4160} the water {G5204} wine {G3631}. And {G2532} there was {G2258} a certain {G5100} nobleman {G937}, whose {G3739} son {G5207} was sick {G770} at {G1722} Capernaum {G2584}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He went again to Kanah in the Galil, where he had turned the water into wine. An officer in the royal service was there; his son was ill in K’far-Nachum.

Berean Standard Bible

So once again He came to Cana in Galilee, where He had turned the water into wine. And there was a royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 4:46 serves as a pivotal transition point in Jesus' ministry, marking His return to Galilee after significant engagement in Samaria. This verse re-establishes His presence in Cana, the site of His inaugural miracle, and immediately introduces a new, urgent scenario: a nobleman from Capernaum seeking Jesus' intervention for his gravely ill son. It sets the stage for Jesus' second sign in John's Gospel, highlighting His expanding reputation and the diverse individuals drawn to His divine authority.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' transformative and impactful ministry in Samaria, where He engaged with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well and spent two days teaching the Samaritans in Sychar, leading many to believe ([John 4:4-42](/john/4-4-42 "John 4:4-42 - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman")). His return to Galilee, specifically Cana, intentionally links back to His very first public miracle—the turning of water into wine ([John 2:1-11](/john/2-1-11 "John 2:1-11 - The Wedding at Cana")). This deliberate geographical repetition underscores the continuity of Jesus' miraculous power and divine identity, setting an expectation for further signs. The narrative then shifts from a collective spiritual awakening in Samaria to a personal crisis in Galilee, demonstrating Jesus' ministry reaching individuals from all walks of life.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Galilee, a region in northern Palestine, was predominantly Jewish but had a significant Gentile population, making it a culturally diverse area often looked down upon by Judeans. Cana was a small village, while Capernaum, located on the Sea of Galilee, was a bustling fishing and trade center that would later become Jesus' primary base of operations ([Matthew 4:13](/matthew/4-13 "Matthew 4:13 - Jesus Settles in Capernaum")). The "nobleman" (Greek: *basilikós*) likely refers to a royal official in the service of Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee. Such an individual would have held considerable social standing and authority, making his desperate plea to Jesus, a traveling rabbi, particularly striking. This interaction highlights the pervasive nature of suffering, which transcends social hierarchies, and the growing recognition of Jesus' power even among the elite.
* **Key Themes:** John 4:46 contributes to several key themes within the Gospel. Firstly, it reinforces the theme of **Jesus' Divine Authority and Power**, as His return to Cana, where He performed His first sign, implicitly reminds the reader of His ability to miraculously transform circumstances. Secondly, it highlights **Geographical Significance** in Jesus' ministry, connecting Cana and Capernaum as sites where His divine power is manifested, moving His ministry from Judea and Samaria into Galilee. Thirdly, the introduction of the nobleman and his sick son immediately brings the theme of **Faith** to the forefront. The nobleman's desperate journey to Jesus, despite his status, foreshadows the necessity of belief for receiving divine intervention, a theme that will be explicitly developed in the subsequent verses ([John 4:48-50](/john/4-48-50 "John 4:48-50 - Jesus Heals the Nobleman's Son")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **came (Greek, _érchomai'_):** This verb signifies Jesus' deliberate and purposeful movement, not merely a casual arrival. His "coming again" to Cana emphasizes a return to a place of established miraculous activity, underscoring His active engagement in His ministry and His intentional presence where His power had previously been displayed.
* **nobleman (Greek, _basilikós'_):** Derived from *basileus* (king), this term denotes someone connected to the royal court, likely an official or servant of a king, in this context, Herod Antipas. This detail is crucial, as it indicates that Jesus' influence and reputation were reaching beyond the common populace to individuals of high social and political standing, highlighting the universal reach of His authority.
* **sick (Greek, _asthenéō'_):** Meaning "to be feeble," "weak," or "diseased," this word conveys the severe and debilitating condition of the son. It emphasizes the dire need that compelled the nobleman to humble himself and seek Jesus' help, setting a profound backdrop for the demonstration of Jesus' healing power against overwhelming physical infirmity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee":** This clause establishes the setting of the narrative, emphasizing Jesus' deliberate return to Cana, a location already significant for His first miracle. The word "again" signals a purposeful revisit, drawing a connection to His previous manifestation of glory there.
* **"where he made the water wine":** This parenthetical phrase serves as a crucial reminder of Jesus' inaugural sign, reinforcing His identity as the one possessing divine power. It sets an expectation for another miraculous display by recalling His previous, well-known act of transformation.
* **"And there was a certain nobleman":** This introduces a new character into the narrative, a person of significant social standing, whose presence immediately broadens the scope of those seeking Jesus. The term "certain" implies a specific individual, though unnamed, whose story will be central.
* **"whose son was sick at Capernaum":** This reveals the nobleman's urgent and personal crisis, providing the immediate motivation for his journey to Jesus. The mention of Capernaum highlights the geographical distance between the nobleman's home and Jesus' location, setting up the challenge to faith and the demonstration of Jesus' power to transcend physical limitations.

#### Literary Devices
John 4:46 employs several literary devices to enrich its meaning and prepare the reader for the ensuing narrative. **Allusion** is prominent, as the phrase "where he made the water wine" directly alludes to Jesus' first sign in Cana ([John 2:1-11](/john/2-1-11 "John 2:1-11 - The Wedding at Cana")), immediately reminding the audience of His miraculous power and establishing a pattern of divine intervention. This serves as a form of **foreshadowing**, hinting that another "sign" is about to occur. The verse also sets up a **contrast** between the nobleman's high social standing and his desperate, humble plea for his son's life, highlighting that human need transcends status. Furthermore, the geographical **setting** of Cana and Capernaum, with the distance between them, subtly introduces the theme of Jesus' authority extending beyond physical proximity, a concept central to the subsequent healing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 4:46 underscores the accessibility of Jesus' power and compassion to all people, regardless of their social standing or background. The nobleman, a figure of authority and privilege, finds himself in a position of profound helplessness, compelled to seek out Jesus, a humble rabbi. This highlights the universal human condition of vulnerability to suffering and the ultimate need for divine intervention. The verse also reinforces the theme of Jesus' divine authority, as His return to Cana, the site of His first miracle, implicitly reminds the reader of His power to transform and heal. This act of seeking Jesus, driven by desperate love, lays the groundwork for a profound demonstration of faith and Jesus' ability to respond to it.

* [Matthew 8:5-13](/matthew/8-5-13 "Matthew 8:5-13 - The Centurion's Faith")
* [Luke 7:1-10](/luke/7-1-10 "Luke 7:1-10 - The Centurion's Servant")
* [Mark 5:21-24](/mark/5-21-24 "Mark 5:21-24 - Jairus' Daughter")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 4:46 serves as a powerful reminder that our greatest needs often drive us to the feet of Jesus. The nobleman, despite his high status, was stripped of his pride by the desperate illness of his son, illustrating that suffering can be a catalyst for seeking divine help. This verse invites us to consider our own areas of vulnerability and desperation, recognizing that Jesus is not only accessible but also compassionate towards those who approach Him in faith. It challenges us to humble ourselves, lay aside any self-sufficiency, and bring our deepest burdens and the needs of those we love to the Lord. Just as the nobleman's journey set the stage for a profound display of faith and healing, our willingness to seek Jesus, even when circumstances seem dire or distant, opens the door for His miraculous intervention in our lives and the lives of those around us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What desperate need in your life, or in the lives of those you love, is prompting you to seek Jesus today?**
* **How does the nobleman's willingness to humble himself, despite his status, challenge your own approach to seeking help from God?**
* **In what ways does this verse encourage you to believe in Jesus' power to act, even when the circumstances seem geographically or circumstantially distant?**

### FAQ
**Who was the "nobleman" mentioned in John 4:46, and why is his identity significant?**

Answer: The "nobleman" (Greek: *basilikós*) was likely a royal official or a high-ranking servant in the court of Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee. While his specific name is not given, his status is highly significant. It demonstrates that Jesus' fame and miraculous power were not confined to the common people but had reached the highest echelons of society. This highlights the universal appeal and reach of Jesus' ministry, showing that people from all social strata, even those with worldly power, recognized their desperate need for divine intervention. His approach to Jesus, a humble rabbi, underscores the profound humility required to seek and receive God's help, regardless of one's earthly position.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 4:46, with Jesus' deliberate return to Cana, a place of His first public miracle, foreshadows His continuous work of transformation and life-giving power. Just as He miraculously turned water into wine, symbolizing the new covenant He inaugurated and the abundance of spiritual life He brings, His subsequent healing of the nobleman's son reveals His divine authority over sickness and death. This act points to Jesus as the ultimate source of life, echoing His own declaration in [John 11:25, "I am the resurrection and the life"](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life"). His ability to heal from a distance, without physical touch, prefigures His omnipresent power and His capacity to save and restore regardless of proximity, a truth powerfully conveyed in [Colossians 1:17, "in him all things hold together"](/colossians/1-17 "Colossians 1:17 - Christ, the Sustainer"). The nobleman's son, brought back from the brink of death, represents humanity's desperate need for the spiritual healing and new life that only Christ can provide, culminating in the eternal life promised to those who believe in [John 3:16, "For God so loved the world"](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love and Eternal Life"). This miracle, therefore, is not merely a physical healing but a sign pointing to Jesus as the Christ, the one who brings true and abundant life.

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 2:1

¶ And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:

John 2:11

This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

Psalms 50:15

And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

Luke 8:42

For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him.

Luke 7:2

And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.

Hosea 5:15

I will go [and] return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.

Matthew 9:18

¶ While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.