King James Version

What Does John 4:53 Mean?

John 4:53 in the King James Version says “So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed,... — study this verse from John chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.

John 4:53 · KJV


Context

51

And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.

52

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.

53

So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.

54

This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The father's realization that healing occurred 'at the same hour' when Jesus spoke establishes the miracle's certainty. The result—'himself believed, and his whole house'—shows household conversion following the father's faith. This pattern (household salvation following the head's conversion) appears throughout Acts, reflecting ancient familial structures and covenant theology.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Household conversion was common in the early church (Acts 16:15, 31-34, 18:8, 1 Corinthians 1:16). The nobleman's household would include family, servants, and dependents—all impacted by the miracle and his testimony.

Reflection Questions

  1. How should heads of households view their influence and responsibility for their family's spiritual welfare?
  2. What role do miracles play in bringing people to faith, and how is that faith then established?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 28 words
ἔγνω1 of 28

knew

G1097

to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)

οὖν2 of 28

So

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

3 of 28
G3588

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

πατὴρ4 of 28

the father

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

ὅτι5 of 28

that

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἐν6 of 28

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ἐκείνῃ7 of 28

the same

G1565

that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed

τῇ8 of 28
G3588

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

ὥρᾳ9 of 28

hour

G5610

an "hour" (literally or figuratively)

ἐν10 of 28

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

11 of 28

the which

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

εἶπεν12 of 28

said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτοῦ13 of 28

himself

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

14 of 28
G3588

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

Ἰησοῦς15 of 28

Jesus

G2424

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

ὅτι16 of 28

that

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

17 of 28
G3588

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

υἱός18 of 28

son

G5207

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

σου19 of 28

Thy

G4675

of thee, thy

ζῇ20 of 28

liveth

G2198

to live (literally or figuratively)

καὶ21 of 28

and

G2532

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

ἐπίστευσεν22 of 28

believed

G4100

to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch

αὐτοῦ23 of 28

himself

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

καὶ24 of 28

and

G2532

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

25 of 28
G3588

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

οἰκία26 of 28

house

G3614

properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics)

αὐτοῦ27 of 28

himself

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

ὅλη28 of 28

whole

G3650

"whole" or "all", i.e., complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb


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 4:53 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 4:53 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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