John 4:47

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

When he {G3778} heard {G191} that {G3754} Jesus {G2424} was come {G2240} out of {G1537} Judaea {G2449} into {G1519} Galilee {G1056}, he went {G565} unto {G4314} him {G846}, and {G2532} besought {G2065} him {G846} that {G2443} he would come down {G2597}, and {G2532} heal {G2390} his {G846} son {G5207}: for {G1063} he was at the point {G3195} of death {G599}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This man, on hearing that Yeshua had come from Y’hudah to the Galil, went and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.

Berean Standard Bible

When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Him to come down and heal his son, who was about to die.

American Standard Version

When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judæa 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 4:47 introduces a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, detailing the urgent plea of a royal official from Capernaum who seeks Jesus' intervention to heal his son, who lies at the brink of death. This verse sets the stage for Jesus' second sign in Cana of Galilee, highlighting the desperate faith of a father, the compassionate power of Jesus, and the unfolding drama of belief that transcends physical proximity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' significant encounter with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well in Sychar, where He revealed Himself as the Messiah and taught profound truths about worship and living water ([John 4:1-42](/john/4-1-42 "John 4:1-42 - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman")). Having left Judea, Jesus returns to Galilee, a region where He had previously performed His first miracle, turning water into wine at a wedding in Cana ([John 2:1-11](/john/2-1-11 "John 2:1-11 - The Wedding at Cana")). The narrative flow emphasizes Jesus' movement and the spreading renown of His miraculous power, prompting this official's urgent journey to seek Him out. The official's plea for his dying son serves as a direct contrast to the spiritual thirst of the Samaritan woman, yet both demonstrate a profound human need met by the divine presence of Jesus.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The mention of "Judaea" and "Galilee" underscores a geographical shift in Jesus' ministry, moving from the religious heartland to a more diverse, often less esteemed, region. The "nobleman" (Greek: *basilikos*) was likely a royal official or courtier in the service of Herod Antipas, the tetrarch who ruled Galilee and Perea. His status suggests a person of considerable influence and wealth, yet his desperate situation strips away any pretense, forcing him to humbly approach Jesus. Capernaum, his home city, was a significant hub on the Sea of Galilee and later became Jesus' adopted hometown, while Cana was a smaller village. The journey of approximately 20 miles from Capernaum to Cana by a high-ranking official, driven by the critical condition of his son, highlights the extreme urgency and the father's willingness to humble himself before a traveling prophet, demonstrating a nascent, yet powerful, faith.
* **Key Themes:** John 4:47 powerfully introduces several key themes that resonate throughout the Gospel of John. Firstly, it showcases the theme of **desperate human need** and the lengths to which individuals will go in crisis, particularly when faced with the imminent loss of a loved one. The nobleman's urgent journey and earnest plea exemplify this. Secondly, it subtly introduces the theme of **Jesus' divine authority and compassion**, setting the stage for a miracle that will demonstrate His power over sickness and death, even at a distance. This echoes His earlier signs that revealed His glory ([John 2:11](/john/2-11 "John 2:11 - Jesus' First Sign")). Finally, the verse begins to explore the **nature of true faith**. While the nobleman initially seeks Jesus' physical presence to heal his son, the subsequent narrative will challenge and refine this understanding, moving him towards a deeper, word-based faith that does not require sight or physical proximity, a crucial lesson for all who seek to believe in Jesus ([John 20:29](/john/20-29 "John 20:29 - Blessed Are Those Who Have Not Seen And Yet Have Believed")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **heard (Greek, _akoúō'_):** This primary verb signifies not merely perceiving sound, but understanding and giving attention. The nobleman's "hearing" of Jesus' arrival in Galilee was not passive; it was an active reception of information that spurred him to immediate, desperate action. It implies a recognition of Jesus' reputation and miraculous power, which had evidently preceded Him.
* **besought (Greek, _erōtáō'_):** This verb means "to interrogate" or, by implication, "to request" or "to entreat." It conveys a sense of earnest, urgent pleading, often implying a request made with a sense of right or necessity, rather than a humble petition. The nobleman's plea was not a casual ask but a fervent supplication born out of profound desperation for his son's life, indicating the depth of his anguish and his hope in Jesus.
* **death (Greek, _apothnḗskō'_):** This verb means "to die off," encompassing both literal death and the state of being near death. The phrase "at the point of death" (combining *méllō* "about to" with *apothnḗskō*) vividly emphasizes the son's critical condition, underscoring the immediate and grave danger he faced. This detail highlights the urgency of the father's request and magnifies the miraculous nature of Jesus' subsequent intervention, as it was a case beyond ordinary human help.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee":** This clause establishes the setting and the catalyst for the nobleman's action. The "he" refers to the royal official, whose desperate situation is about to be revealed. The news of Jesus' return to Galilee, specifically Cana, after His ministry in Judea, reaches him, igniting a spark of hope.
* **"he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son":** This describes the nobleman's immediate and proactive response. Driven by urgency, he undertakes a significant journey from Capernaum to Cana. His request is specific: he wants Jesus to "come down" (implying a physical descent to Capernaum) and "heal" his son, indicating his belief in Jesus' power as a healer, though perhaps limited by his understanding of physical proximity.
* **"for he was at the point of death.":** This final clause provides the desperate justification for the nobleman's urgent plea. The son's condition is not merely serious but terminal, emphasizing the dire circumstances and the absolute necessity of divine intervention. This detail underscores the gravity of the situation and the profound need that compels the father to seek Jesus.

#### Literary Devices
John 4:47 employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Pathos** is immediately evident, as the reader is drawn into the desperate plight of a father whose son is "at the point of death." This evokes empathy and highlights the universal human experience of suffering and the lengths to which love will go. There is also a subtle **Contrast** at play between the nobleman's high social status and his humble, urgent approach to Jesus, demonstrating that divine help is sought by all, regardless of earthly standing. Furthermore, the verse contains **Foreshadowing** of Jesus' ultimate authority over life and death. The nobleman's belief that Jesus must "come down" to heal his son sets up a tension that will be resolved in the subsequent verses, where Jesus demonstrates His power to heal from a distance, thereby challenging and deepening the nobleman's (and the reader's) understanding of faith and divine omnipotence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 4:47 serves as a profound testament to the accessibility of divine grace in moments of extreme human desperation. The nobleman's urgent journey and earnest plea underscore the truth that God responds to the cries of His people, especially when all other hope is lost. This encounter highlights Jesus' compassionate nature and His willingness to engage with individuals from all walks of life, regardless of their social standing or initial understanding of His identity. The father's desperate faith, though perhaps initially imperfect in its expectation of Jesus' physical presence, is nevertheless a genuine act of trust that God honors. This narrative reinforces the theological truth that God's power is not limited by human constraints, such as distance or the severity of a condition, and that His intervention often comes in response to a sincere, if rudimentary, belief.

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

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The nobleman's desperate plea in John 4:47 offers a powerful mirror for our own lives. In moments of profound crisis, when our loved ones or circumstances seem "at the point of death," our natural inclination should be to turn to the one who holds all power and authority. The nobleman's willingness to humble himself, travel a significant distance, and earnestly beseech Jesus models a persistent and earnest prayer that does not give up in the face of overwhelming odds. This verse encourages us to bring our deepest needs, fears, and anxieties directly to Jesus, trusting in His compassion and divine ability to intervene. It reminds us that Jesus is accessible to all, irrespective of our social status, past failures, or the perceived limitations of our faith. Our role is to seek Him, to voice our needs, and to trust that His power is not bound by physical proximity or human expectations, but works according to His perfect will and wisdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What desperate situation in your life or the lives of those you love are you currently bringing to Jesus?**
* **How does the nobleman's willingness to humble himself and travel a significant distance challenge your own approach to seeking divine intervention?**
* **In what ways might your faith be "at the point of death," and how can this verse encourage you to seek Jesus anew?**
* **Do you believe Jesus' power is limited by physical distance or your circumstances, or do you trust in His boundless authority?**

### FAQ
**Who was the "nobleman" mentioned in this verse, and why is his identity significant?**

Answer: The "nobleman" (Greek: *basilikos*) was likely a royal official, possibly a courtier or officer in the service of King Herod Antipas, who ruled Galilee. His high status is significant because it demonstrates that Jesus' ministry and healing power attracted people from all social strata, not just the marginalized. Despite his position, he was humbled by his son's critical illness, revealing that wealth and power offer no immunity from suffering and that true help must come from a higher authority. His journey from Capernaum to Cana, a distance of about 20 miles, further underscores the depth of his desperation and his emerging faith in Jesus, highlighting his willingness to set aside his dignity for the sake of his son.

**What is the significance of the son being "at the point of death"?**

Answer: The detail that the son was "at the point of death" (Greek: *ē mellon apothnēskein*) is crucial because it emphasizes the extreme urgency and the dire nature of the situation. This was not a minor ailment but a life-threatening condition, indicating that human remedies had likely failed or were deemed insufficient. This grave prognosis magnifies the miraculous nature of Jesus' subsequent healing, demonstrating His absolute power over sickness and death. It also highlights the father's desperate faith, as he sought Jesus as a last resort, believing He could do what no one else could. This sets the stage for a powerful display of divine intervention, where Jesus' word alone proves sufficient to reverse the course of death, even from a distance, as seen in [John 4:50](/john/4-50 "John 4:50 - Jesus Heals the Official's Son").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 4:47, while depicting a father's desperate plea for his dying son, profoundly points to Christ's ultimate authority over all sickness and death, foreshadowing His role as the Great Physician and the Lord of Life. The nobleman's journey to Jesus, seeking physical healing, prefigures humanity's spiritual journey to Christ, who alone can offer true and lasting healing for the soul. Just as Jesus' word was sufficient to heal the son from a distance ([John 4:50](/john/4-50 "John 4:50 - Jesus Heals the Official's Son")), so too does His authoritative word bring spiritual life and healing to those who are spiritually "at the point of death" due to sin ([Ephesians 2:1-5](/ephesians/2-1-5 "Ephesians 2:1-5 - Dead in Sins, Made Alive in Christ")). This miracle, where Jesus demonstrates power over physical decay and impending death, serves as a powerful microcosm of His ultimate victory over death through His own resurrection ([Romans 6:9](/romans/6-9 "Romans 6:9 - Christ's Resurrection and Our New Life")). The nobleman's initial need for Jesus' physical presence, which is then transformed into faith in His word, mirrors the broader New Testament theme of moving from a reliance on signs and wonders to a deeper, abiding trust in the unseen Christ and His redemptive work ([John 20:29](/john/20-29 "John 20:29 - Blessed Are Those Who Have Not Seen And Yet Have Believed")). Ultimately, this narrative underscores that Christ is the source of all life, capable of delivering us from the gravest forms of "death," both physical and spiritual, and inviting us into a relationship founded on His powerful and life-giving word ([John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the 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 4:3

He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.

John 11:21

Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

Mark 6:55

And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was.

Mark 6:56

And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.

Psalms 46:1

¶ To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God [is] our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Mark 10:47

And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, [thou] Son of David, have mercy on me.

Acts 9:38

And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring [him] that he would not delay to come to them.