The Gospel of John #17

By Robert Guenther

We are continuing our review of the Gospel of John chapter four by considering the Lord’s visit to Galilee and what is said to be the second miracle performed there.

Vs. 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). These people seem to be eager to see what kind of miracle Jesus is going to perform next. They recognize that He has power to do great feats such as turning the water into wine as we read in our next verse.

Vs. 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. This making water into wine was the first miracle. We are not given an explanation as to how our Creator performed this miracle but it is a matter of faith to believe that He did. Obviously this nobleman had faith and believed that Jesus was capable of healing his son as our next verse tells us.

Vs. 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. This man’s son was too sick to travel and thus the man thought that it was necessary for the Lord to have to go to where the son was.

Vs. 48: Then said Jesus unto him, “Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe”. I am not sure if God was chiding this man by this statement, but it does seem that there were others present who were curious about what miracle Jesus would do next. Is it possible that we can be following the Lord for the wrong reasons? Perhaps this statement is more for their benefit because our next verse clearly indicates that this nobleman has faith in the Lord’s healing ability.

Vs. 49: The nobleman saith unto Him, “Sir, come down ere my son die.” The title “Sir” is the Greek word Kurios, #2962, and it has the idea of master or one who has the absolute authority over something. In this verse it would be death.

Vs. 50: Jesus saith unto him, “Go thy way; for thy son liveth.” And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. There is no question in this man’s mind that God knows his son and that He healed him.

Vs. 51: And as he was going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, “Thy son liveth.”I suppose the servants could not wait for their master to return home to hear this good news. The Lord had spared this man the loss of his son life. The only question left in this man’s mind is what hour of the day did this healing take place. Is more confirmation needed?

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