John 4:50

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Jesus {G2424} saith {G3004} unto him {G846}, Go thy way {G4198}; thy {G4675} son {G5207} liveth {G2198}. And {G2532} the man {G444} believed {G4100} the word {G3056} that {G3739} Jesus {G2424} had spoken {G2036} unto him {G846}, and {G2532} he went his way {G4198}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua replied, “You may go, your son is alive.” The man believed what Yeshua said and left.

Berean Standard Bible

“Go,” said Jesus. “Your son will live.” The man took Jesus at His word and departed.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
[John 4:50](/john/4-50 "John 4:50 - Jesus Heals the Nobleman's Son") marks the climactic moment of Jesus' second sign in Cana, where He miraculously heals a dying boy from a distance through the power of His spoken word. The verse highlights the nobleman's profound act of faith, as he immediately believes Jesus' declaration without requiring physical presence or visual confirmation, demonstrating a trust that leads to obedient action and ultimately, the joyous discovery of his son's recovery.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes the narrative of Jesus' second sign in Cana of Galilee, following the turning of water into wine in [John 2:1-11](/john/2-1-11 "John 2:1-11 - The Wedding at Cana"). The account begins with a royal official from Capernaum approaching Jesus, desperate for his dying son's healing ([John 4:46-47](/john/4-46-47 "John 4:46-47 - The Nobleman's Plea")). Jesus' initial response in [John 4:48](/john/4-48 "John 4:48 - Jesus' Challenge to Belief") ("Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe") serves as a challenge, not a rejection, probing the depth of the man's faith. The nobleman's persistent plea in [John 4:49](/john/4-49 "John 4:49 - The Nobleman's Persistence") ("Sir, come down ere my child die!") reveals his desperate hope, leading to Jesus' authoritative declaration in [John 4:50](/john/4-50 "John 4:50 - Jesus Heals the Nobleman's Son"), which is immediately met with the man's belief and obedience, culminating in the confirmation of the healing upon his return home.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "royal official" (KJV: "nobleman") was likely a courtier of Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee, indicating a person of significant social standing and influence. His journey from Capernaum to Cana (a distance of about 20 miles) underscores his desperation and the dire state of his son. Capernaum was a prominent town on the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus later based much of His ministry ([Matthew 4:13](/matthew/4-13 "Matthew 4:13 - Jesus Settles in Capernaum")). In Jewish culture, healing was often associated with divine intervention, and prophets were expected to perform signs. However, the concept of healing from a distance, solely by spoken word, was extraordinary and would have been seen as a profound demonstration of divine power, challenging conventional expectations of a healer needing to be physically present.
* **Key Themes:** This passage powerfully illustrates several core themes. Foremost is the **sovereign authority and power of Jesus' word**. Unlike other healings that involve touch or presence, here Jesus heals by mere declaration, demonstrating His omnipotence and transcendence over physical limitations, reinforcing His identity as the living Word of God ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Became Flesh")). Another crucial theme is **faith, particularly belief without seeing**. The nobleman's immediate departure after Jesus' word, without waiting for tangible proof, exemplifies a higher form of faith that Jesus often sought to cultivate ([John 20:29](/john/20-29 "John 20:29 - Blessed Are Those Who Have Not Seen and Yet Have Believed")). Finally, the narrative highlights the **connection between faith and obedience**, as the nobleman's belief immediately translates into action ("he went his way"), showing that genuine faith is not merely intellectual assent but a transformative trust that compels responsive living.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **liveth (Greek, _záō_):** This verb, in the present tense (ζῇ), emphasizes the immediate and ongoing reality of the son's life. It's not that he *will* live in the future, but that he *is* living at the very moment Jesus speaks the word. This highlights the instantaneous and effective power of Jesus' declaration, bringing life into being.
* **believed (Greek, _pisteúō_):** The aorist tense of this verb (ἐπίστευσεν) signifies a decisive, complete act of faith by the nobleman at that specific moment. It denotes a singular, definitive commitment of trust in Jesus' word, rather than a gradual or ongoing process. This was a pivotal turning point for the man, marking his shift from desperate plea to confident assurance.
* **word (Greek, _lógos_):** Here, _lógos_ (λόγος) refers to "something said," specifically the authoritative utterance of Jesus. In the broader Johannine context, _lógos_ also carries profound theological weight, identifying Jesus Himself as the Divine Expression, the Word of God incarnate ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word of God")). Thus, the nobleman's belief in Jesus' "word" is, in essence, belief in Jesus Himself and His divine authority.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Jesus saith unto him, 'Go thy way; thy son liveth.'"**: Jesus' command is direct and authoritative. He does not agree to physically go with the nobleman, but instead issues a powerful, declarative statement. The phrase "thy son liveth" is a divine pronouncement, a creative word that brings about the reality it declares, demonstrating Jesus' sovereign power over life and death, even across significant distance.
* **"And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him"**: This clause is the heart of the nobleman's response. Despite Jesus not coming to Capernaum, and without any immediate physical evidence, the man fully trusted Jesus' verbal assurance. This belief was not a mere intellectual acknowledgment but a profound, decisive act of faith in Jesus' authority and truthfulness.
* **"and he went his way."**: The nobleman's immediate departure is the tangible evidence of his faith. His action demonstrates that his belief was genuine and active, leading him to confidently return home, knowing that Jesus' word was sufficient and effective. This act of obedience, based solely on Jesus' promise, underscores the transformative power of true faith.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices. **Irony** is present in Jesus' refusal to go to Capernaum, yet His healing power transcends physical proximity, demonstrating that His authority is not bound by human limitations. The **contrast** between the nobleman's initial desperation and his subsequent confident departure highlights the transformative power of faith. The **symbolism** of Jesus' "word" is central; it is not merely a sound but an active, life-giving force, echoing the creative power of God's word in Genesis. Furthermore, the narrative structure itself, moving from a desperate plea to an authoritative declaration, then to an act of faith, and finally to the confirmation of the miracle, creates a powerful sense of **suspense and resolution**, drawing the reader into the nobleman's journey of belief.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This episode profoundly illustrates the nature of true faith and the unparalleled authority of Jesus. It teaches that faith is not dependent on physical proximity or immediate sensory proof, but on the trustworthiness of the speaker. The nobleman's belief in Jesus' word, even when the outcome was unseen, foreshadows the New Testament emphasis on believing without seeing, a faith that pleases God. This healing by divine decree also connects Jesus to the Old Testament God who speaks and it is done, affirming His deity and His power over all creation, including life and death.

* [Hebrews 11:1](/hebrews/11-1 "Hebrews 11:1 - The Definition of Faith")
* [Romans 10:17](/romans/10-17 "Romans 10:17 - Faith Comes by Hearing")
* [Matthew 8:8-10](/matthew/8-8-10 "Matthew 8:8-10 - The Centurion's Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The nobleman's story in [John 4:50](/john/4-50 "John 4:50 - The Nobleman's Faith and Obedience") serves as a timeless paradigm for our own walk of faith. In a world that often demands immediate gratification and visible proof, this passage challenges us to cultivate a radical trust in Jesus' word, even when our circumstances seem dire or when the path ahead is unclear. Like the nobleman, we are called to believe not just in what Jesus *can* do, but in the efficacy and truth of what He *has said*. Our faith is not merely intellectual assent but a confident reliance that moves us to act in obedience, even when the desired outcome is not yet manifest. This kind of faith allows us to rest in Christ's promises, knowing that His power transcends all human limitations and that His word is always faithful and true, capable of accomplishing what He declares.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What circumstances in your life currently challenge your ability to believe Jesus' word without immediate visible proof?**
* **How does the nobleman's immediate departure, based solely on Jesus' word, inspire or challenge your own obedience to Christ's commands?**
* **In what ways can you cultivate a deeper, more confident trust in the power and truth of Jesus' spoken word in your daily life?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus not go with the nobleman to Capernaum?**

Answer: Jesus' decision not to go to Capernaum, but to heal the boy from a distance, was crucial for demonstrating a higher form of divine authority and for cultivating a deeper faith in the nobleman. By healing through His spoken word alone, Jesus showed that His power is not limited by physical proximity or human methods. This challenged the nobleman, and indeed all who witness or read the account, to believe in Jesus' inherent authority and the efficacy of His word, rather than relying on a physical presence or a visible sign. It emphasized that faith in Jesus' declaration is sufficient for miraculous intervention, preparing the way for a faith that believes without seeing, as Jesus later commended in [John 20:29](/john/20-29 "John 20:29 - Blessed Are Those Who Have Not Seen and Yet Have Believed").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The healing of the nobleman's son in [John 4:50](/john/4-50 "John 4:50 - Jesus' Life-Giving Word") powerfully foreshadows the ultimate life-giving work of Jesus Christ. Just as Jesus' authoritative word brought life to a dying boy from a distance, so too does His divine word bring spiritual life to those who are spiritually dead, regardless of their physical location or condition. This miracle underscores Jesus' identity as the living [Word of God](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Incarnate"), through whom all things were made and by whom all life is sustained. His declaration, "thy son liveth," echoes the power of God's creative word in Genesis and points forward to Jesus' ultimate victory over death in His resurrection, where He became the "firstfruits of those who are asleep" ([1_corinthians/15-20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ's Resurrection as Firstfruits")). The nobleman's faith, which led to life for his son, mirrors the saving faith required for eternal life in Christ: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God" ([ephesians/2-8](/ephesians/2-8 "Ephesians 2:8 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")). This narrative thus serves as a compelling testament to Jesus' unique power to impart life—physical and spiritual—through the sheer authority of His divine person and His life-giving word, culminating in the promise of resurrection and eternal life for all who believe in Him ([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

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.

Mark 7:29

And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.

Mark 7:30

And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.

Luke 17:14

And when he saw [them], he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.

Romans 4:20

He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

Romans 4:21

And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

Acts 14:9

The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,