John 4:52

KJV

Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G3767} enquired he {G4441} of {G3844} them {G846} the hour {G5610} when {G1722}{G3739} he began {G2192} to amend {G2866}. And {G2532} they said {G2036} unto him {G846},{G3754} Yesterday {G5504} at the seventh {G1442} hour {G5610} the fever {G4446} left {G863} him {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So he asked them at what time he had gotten better; and they said, “The fever left him yesterday at one o’clock in the afternoon.”

Berean Standard Bible

So he inquired as to the hour when his son had recovered, and they told him, “The fever left him yesterday at the seventh hour.”

American Standard Version

So he inquired of them the hour when he began to amend. They said therefore unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 4:52 details the precise confirmation of Jesus' distant healing of the nobleman's son. Upon his return home to Capernaum, the nobleman inquired of his servants about the exact moment his son began to recover, only to discover that the fever had left him at the very hour Jesus had declared, "Thy son liveth." This immediate and complete recovery, corroborated by the servants, solidified the nobleman's faith and led to the conversion of his entire household.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the climactic confirmation of Jesus' second sign performed in Cana of Galilee, following the miracle of turning water into wine ([John 2:1-11](/john/2-1-11 "John 2:1-11 - The Wedding at Cana")). The narrative immediately precedes Jesus' ministry in Samaria and his profound encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well ([John 4:1-42](/john/4-1-42 "John 4:1-42 - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman")). The nobleman's son's healing, a distant miracle, powerfully demonstrates Jesus' authority over sickness and distance, setting the stage for further revelations of his divine nature. It also contrasts with the earlier Judean response to Jesus, highlighting a growing faith among Gentiles or those outside traditional Jewish circles. The nobleman's belief in Jesus' word, even before seeing the result, is a key theme that John emphasizes.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "nobleman" (Greek: _basilikos_) was likely a royal official, possibly serving Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea. Capernaum, where the son was ill, was a significant city on the Sea of Galilee, serving as Jesus' base of operations later in his ministry. Cana, where Jesus was when the nobleman approached him, was about 20 miles from Capernaum. Travel between these two locations would have taken several hours, explaining why the nobleman did not reach home until the day after Jesus spoke the healing word. The "seventh hour" (approximately 1 PM by Roman reckoning, or 7 PM by Jewish reckoning, though 1 PM is more likely given the journey) highlights the precise timing of the miracle. Fevers were common and often fatal in the ancient world, making the instantaneous departure of the fever a clear sign of divine intervention, not a natural recovery.
* **Key Themes:** This passage powerfully underscores several foundational themes. Firstly, it highlights **the sovereign authority of Jesus' word**. The son's healing was not contingent on Jesus' physical presence or a ritualistic act, but solely on his spoken command, demonstrating that his power transcends physical limitations, a concept also seen in [the healing of the centurion's servant](/matthew/8-5-13 "Matthew 8:5-13 - The Centurion's Faith"). Secondly, it exemplifies **the nature of true faith**. The nobleman believed Jesus' word and acted upon it before seeing any evidence, a faith that was then confirmed and deepened by the servants' testimony, leading to a household conversion ([John 4:53](/john/4-53 "John 4:53 - The Nobleman and His Household Believe")). This progression from initial belief to confirmed faith and widespread conversion is a model for spiritual growth. Lastly, the **divine precision and timing** of the miracle are emphasized by the specific mention of the "seventh hour," reinforcing that God's interventions are perfectly orchestrated and leave no room for doubt about their miraculous origin.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **enquired (Greek, _pynthánomai_):** This verb signifies to "ascertain by inquiry" or "to learn by casual intelligence." Unlike asking a favor or demanding something due, the nobleman's inquiry was about gaining information, specifically the precise timing of his son's recovery. This detail underscores his desire to connect the event directly to Jesus' spoken word, seeking confirmation rather than merely celebrating the outcome.
* **seventh (Greek, _hébdomos_):** As an ordinal number, "seventh" precisely marks the hour. The specificity of this detail, corroborated by the servants, is crucial. It eliminates any ambiguity about the timing of the healing, directly linking it to Jesus' declaration at that exact moment. This precision serves to authenticate the miracle as an act of divine power, not a coincidence or gradual improvement.
* **left (Greek, _aphíēmi_):** This verb means "to send forth," "to dismiss," "to let go," or "to yield up." In this context, it emphasizes the complete and sudden departure of the fever. It was not a slow recovery or a gradual improvement; the fever "left" the boy definitively and instantaneously. This immediate and total cessation of the illness highlights the miraculous nature of the healing, signifying a divine expulsion of the sickness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend."**: Upon arriving home, the nobleman, whose faith was already demonstrated by his initial belief in Jesus' word, sought precise details from his servants about the timing of his son's recovery. His question was not "Is he better?" but "When did he begin to amend?" (KJV's "began to amend" translates a Greek idiom meaning "to be well" or "to be in a good state"), indicating his expectation that the healing was tied to a specific moment, likely the moment Jesus spoke. This inquiry reveals his desire for concrete confirmation of the connection between Jesus' word and his son's health.
* **"And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him."**: The servants' direct and unambiguous answer provides the crucial corroboration. Their testimony confirms that the fever departed instantaneously and completely ("the fever left him") at the very specific "seventh hour" (likely 1 PM Roman time, given the journey), which was the exact moment Jesus had spoken the healing word from Cana. This precise timing, occurring the previous day, eliminated any doubt and provided undeniable proof of Jesus' power to heal from a distance and by his mere word.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs **Verisimilitude** through its precise temporal and spatial details, such as "Yesterday at the seventh hour" and the implied distance between Cana and Capernaum. These details lend a strong sense of realism and historical accuracy to the account, making the miracle more credible to the reader. The narrative also uses **Dramatic Irony** in the nobleman's inquiry; he is seeking confirmation, but the reader already knows the outcome and the precise timing from [John 4:50](/john/4-50 "John 4:50 - Jesus' Word to the Nobleman"). This builds anticipation for the servants' reply, which then serves as a powerful **Confirmation** of Jesus' divine authority and the efficacy of his word. The **Contrast** between the son's previous dying state and his instantaneous recovery highlights the supernatural nature of the healing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The healing of the nobleman's son in John 4:52 profoundly illustrates the power of Jesus' authoritative word. It demonstrates that Jesus' power is not limited by physical presence or distance, asserting his divine sovereignty over all creation, including sickness and death. This miracle serves as a testament to the fact that God's promises are precise and effective, requiring only faith to be actualized. The nobleman's journey from initial desperate plea to confirmed faith, leading to the belief of his entire household, underscores the transformative power of encountering Jesus and witnessing his divine work. It teaches us that true faith trusts in the unseen, and that God often provides undeniable confirmation to strengthen and deepen that faith.

* [Matthew 8:8](/matthew/8-8 "Matthew 8:8 - The Centurion's Faith in Jesus' Word")
* [Psalm 33:9](/psalms/33-9 "Psalm 33:9 - God Speaks, and It Is Done")
* [Hebrews 11:1](/hebrews/11-1 "Hebrews 11:1 - The Definition of Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 4:52 offers a profound lesson in the nature of faith and the reliability of God's word. Like the nobleman, we are often called to believe Jesus' promises even when the circumstances seem dire or the evidence is not yet visible. This passage encourages us to cultivate a faith that trusts in the authority of Christ's spoken word, knowing that his power is not limited by any human constraint, distance, or time. When we act on his word, even in uncertainty, God often provides clear confirmation, not just for our own assurance but also to strengthen the faith of those around us. This account challenges us to look for God's precise and timely interventions in our lives, recognizing that every answered prayer and every miraculous provision is a testament to his faithfulness and an invitation to deeper trust. It reminds us that our faith, like the nobleman's, should lead to a transformed life and a desire to share the good news with our household.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the nobleman's initial belief, followed by his inquiry for confirmation, reflect your own journey of faith?**
* **In what areas of your life are you being called to trust Jesus' word, even when you cannot see the immediate outcome?**
* **How can the precision of God's timing in this miracle encourage you when you are waiting for an answer to prayer?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the "seventh hour" in John 4:52?**

Answer: The "seventh hour" is highly significant because it precisely correlates with the moment Jesus declared, "Thy son liveth!" ([John 4:50](/john/4-50 "John 4:50 - Jesus' Word to the Nobleman")). In Roman time, this would have been around 1 PM. This exact timing eliminates any possibility of a natural recovery or coincidence, unequivocally demonstrating that the healing was a direct, instantaneous result of Jesus' authoritative word. It underscores the divine precision and power of Jesus, showing that his command was effective across a significant distance (Cana to Capernaum) and at a specific, verifiable moment. The specificity serves as undeniable proof for the nobleman and for all who read the account.

**How does this miracle demonstrate Jesus' authority?**

Answer: This miracle powerfully demonstrates Jesus' authority in several ways. Firstly, it shows his authority over sickness and disease, as the fever "left" the boy immediately and completely. Secondly, it highlights his authority over distance and physical presence; Jesus did not need to be physically present with the boy to heal him, but simply spoke a word from afar. This emphasizes his divine nature, where his power transcends physical limitations. Thirdly, it reveals his authority over time, as the healing occurred at the precise moment he spoke, illustrating his perfect timing and control. This miracle, like others, serves as a sign that Jesus is indeed the Son of God, possessing unique and ultimate power ([John 20:30-31](/john/20-30-31 "John 20:30-31 - The Purpose of John's Gospel")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The healing of the nobleman's son in [John 4:52](/john/4-52 "John 4:52 - The Nobleman's Son Healed") is more than just a historical account of a miracle; it serves as a profound foreshadowing of Christ's ultimate redemptive work. Just as Jesus' word brought life and healing to a dying boy from a distance, so too does his word bring spiritual life and healing to those who are spiritually dead and separated from God ([Ephesians 2:1-5](/ephesians/2-1-5 "Ephesians 2:1-5 - Dead in Sins, Made Alive in Christ")). The nobleman's faith, believing Jesus' declaration before seeing the physical evidence, mirrors the faith required for salvation: trusting in Christ's finished work on the cross, even though we were not physically present at Calvary ([Romans 10:9-10](/romans/10-9-10 "Romans 10:9-10 - Confessing Christ for Salvation")). The instantaneous departure of the fever signifies the complete and definitive nature of the spiritual healing and liberation from the bondage of sin that Christ offers through his sacrifice. Furthermore, the nobleman's entire household coming to faith ([John 4:53](/john/4-53 "John 4:53 - The Nobleman's Household Believes")) points to the expansive, transforming power of the gospel, which extends beyond individuals to families and communities, bringing them into the household of God through Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior ([Galatians 3:26-29](/galatians/3-26-29 "Galatians 3:26-29 - Children of God Through Faith")).

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.