King James Version

What Does John 4:47 Mean?

John 4:47 in the King James Version says “When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down... — study this verse from John chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

John 4:47 · KJV


Context

45

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.

46

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. nobleman: or, courtier, or, ruler

47

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.

48

Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.

49

The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The nobleman's desperate plea for Jesus to 'come down' and heal his dying son demonstrates both faith (he believes Jesus can heal) and weakness (he thinks Jesus must be physically present). His urgency ('for he was at the point of death') reflects natural parental love and creates opportunity for Jesus to strengthen his faith.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Nobles in Galilee served in Herod Antipas's court. The distance from Cana to Capernaum was about 16 miles. That he traveled this far shows desperation—his son's illness had exceeded local medical help.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does crisis drive us to Christ, and how does He use our desperation to mature our faith?
  2. What limitations do we place on Christ's power based on our assumptions about how He must work?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 27 words
οὗτος1 of 27

When he

G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

ἀκούσας2 of 27

heard

G191

to hear (in various senses)

ὅτι3 of 27

that

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

Ἰησοῦς4 of 27

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

ἥκει5 of 27

was come

G2240

to arrive, i.e., be present (literally or figuratively)

ἐκ6 of 27

out of

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τῆς7 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰουδαίας8 of 27

Judaea

G2449

the judaean land (i.e., judaea), a region of palestine

εἰς9 of 27

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὴν10 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Γαλιλαίαν11 of 27

Galilee

G1056

galilaea (i.e., the heathen circle), a region of palestine

ἀπῆλθεν12 of 27

he went

G565

to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively

πρὸς13 of 27

unto

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

αὐτοῦ14 of 27

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ15 of 27

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἠρώτα16 of 27

besought

G2065

to interrogate; by implication, to request

αὐτοῦ17 of 27

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἵνα18 of 27

that

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

καταβῇ19 of 27

he would come down

G2597

to descend (literally or figuratively)

καὶ20 of 27

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἰάσηται21 of 27

heal

G2390

to cure (literally or figuratively)

αὐτοῦ22 of 27

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

τὸν23 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

υἱόν24 of 27

son

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

ἤμελλεν25 of 27

he was at the point

G3195

to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili

γὰρ26 of 27

for

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

ἀποθνῄσκειν27 of 27

of death

G599

to die off (literally or figuratively)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 4:47 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 4:47 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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