John 4:45 kjv
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.
John 4:45 nkjv
So when He came to Galilee, the Galileans received Him, having seen all the things He did in Jerusalem at the feast; for they also had gone to the feast.
John 4:45 niv
When he arrived in Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him. They had seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, for they also had been there.
John 4:45 esv
So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the feast. For they too had gone to the feast.
John 4:45 nlt
Yet the Galileans welcomed him, for they had been in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration and had seen everything he did there.
John 4 45 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jn 2:11 | This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee... | The start of Jesus' signs in Galilee, preceding Jerusalem events. |
| Jn 2:13, 23 | Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem... Many believed in His name when they saw the signs... | Establishes the specific "feast" and the signs performed. |
| Jn 4:48 | Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe. | Jesus' caution about belief motivated purely by signs. |
| Lk 4:23-24 | "Physician, heal yourself."... no prophet is acceptable in his own country. | Jesus’ previous observation on reception in His hometown region. |
| Jn 1:11 | He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. | Contrasts the welcome of Galileans with general rejection. |
| Mt 4:13-16 | He went and lived in Capernaum, by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled... The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light. | Prophetic significance of Galilee as a region receiving Jesus' light. |
| Lk 23:8 | When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see some sign performed by him. | An example of interest based on a desire for signs/wonders. |
| 1 Cor 1:22 | For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, | Illustrates a general expectation among Jews for miraculous evidence. |
| Acts 2:22 | Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst... | Apostles’ preaching referencing Jesus' signs to affirm His identity. |
| Jn 6:2 | A large crowd followed him, because they saw the signs that he was doing. | Example of crowds following Jesus primarily for His miraculous deeds. |
| Jn 6:26 | Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. | Jesus rebukes those seeking Him for temporal benefits, not true belief. |
| Jn 7:3-4 | So his brothers said to him, "Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known publicly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world." | Even Jesus’ own brothers saw Him in terms of works for public recognition. |
| Ex 4:1-9 | Moses doubted, but God gave him signs to confirm his mission to Israel. | OT precedent of divine authority being attested through signs. |
| Deut 13:1-5 | Warns against false prophets even if they perform signs or wonders, if they lead people astray from God. | Highlights that signs alone are not the sole criterion for truth. |
| Isa 35:5-6 | Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap... | OT prophecy of miraculous deeds accompanying the Messiah. |
| Acts 10:37 | You yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: | Peter's sermon recounting Jesus' ministry beginning in Galilee. |
| Jn 7:31 | Yet many of the people believed in him. They said, "When the Christ appears, will he do more signs than this man has done?" | Indicates a form of belief arising directly from overwhelming signs. |
| Jn 9:16 | Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath." But others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?" | Demonstrates the division caused by Jesus' signs and works. |
| Mk 6:1-6 | Jesus visited Nazareth, but found little faith due to familiarity, performing few miracles there. | Shows the inverse: lack of reception leading to limited signs. |
| Mt 15:29-31 | Jesus went on from there and passed along the Sea of Galilee. And he went up on the mountain and sat there. And great crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and many others, and they laid them at his feet, and he healed them... so that the crowd wondered. | Large crowds following Jesus for healing in Galilee, similar to John's description. |
| Heb 2:4 | while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. | God attests to His message through signs, validating the messenger. |
| Acts 4:29-30 | Grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed. | The early church praying for continuation of signs to accompany the Word. |
John 4 verses
John 4 45 Meaning
John 4:45 describes the reception Jesus received upon His return to Galilee. Having just traveled from Judea, the Galileans welcomed Him not primarily because of a deep understanding of His person or divine mission, but rather due to their prior witnessing of the miraculous "signs" He performed in Jerusalem during a recent feast, likely the Passover (as mentioned in Jn 2:13, 23). Their welcome was based on the impressive deeds they had seen, establishing a foundation of interest, albeit one still potentially rooted in a desire for wonders rather than genuine spiritual insight.
John 4 45 Context
John chapter 4 begins with Jesus leaving Judea for Galilee to avoid escalating tension with the Pharisees, traveling through Samaria where He has His transformative encounter with the Samaritan woman and the subsequent widespread belief among the Samaritans (Jn 4:1-42). Verse 43-44 describe Jesus' departure from Samaria "into Galilee. For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country." This immediately sets up a paradoxical situation for the reception in verse 45, implying that while Galileans received Him, their "honor" might be based on something superficial.
The "feast" mentioned in verse 45 explicitly refers back to Jesus' first visit to Jerusalem for the Passover (Jn 2:13), where He cleansed the temple and performed "signs" (Jn 2:23) that caused "many to believe in his name," though John adds the caveat that Jesus "would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people" (Jn 2:24). This immediate context informs the quality of the Galileans' reception: it's not a deep spiritual understanding but a response to external displays of power, similar to the potentially superficial belief observed earlier in Jerusalem. Historically, the journey from Judea to Galilee would have taken several days, typically bypassing Samaria through the Jordan Valley unless intentionally going through it. The annual feasts, especially Passover, drew large numbers of Jews from Galilee to Jerusalem, making it plausible that many Galileans would have witnessed Jesus' deeds there.
John 4 45 Word analysis
- When He came (ἦλθεν - ēlthen): A simple, declarative verb indicating movement. Jesus initiates the journey back to Galilee from Judea and Samaria. It highlights His purposeful trajectory within God's plan.
- to Galilee (εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν - eis tēn Galilaian): The geographical region north of Samaria and Judea, known for its distinct dialect and diverse population. It was the primary area for Jesus' early ministry and was prophetically significant (Isa 9:1-2, Mt 4:15-16).
- the Galileans (οἱ Γαλιλαῖοι - hoi Galilaioi): The people residing in Galilee. Often contrasted with the Judeans, they were perceived by the latter as less learned or sophisticated (Jn 7:52, Acts 2:7). Here, they are presented as a collective group witnessing Jesus' power.
- received Him (ἐδέξαντο αὐτόν - edexanto auton): The Greek verb dechomai means "to welcome, to accept, to receive hospitably." This indicates an active acceptance, not merely observing Him. However, the subsequent clauses qualify why they received Him, implying their welcome was predicated on something specific, not necessarily on a profound belief in His Messiahship.
- having seen (ἑωρακότες - heōrakotes): A perfect active participle, indicating a completed action with continuing results. Their seeing was in the past, but the knowledge derived from it persists and is the basis of their present reception. This signifies firsthand observation and testimony.
- all the things (πάντα - panta): Emphasizes the comprehensive scope of Jesus' activities. Not just one miracle, but the sum total of His actions witnessed. This hints at the significant impact He made.
- He did (ἐποίησεν - epoiēsen): Refers to His deeds, especially the miraculous "signs" (semeia) which are a crucial theme in John's Gospel, meant to point beyond themselves to Jesus' identity.
- in Jerusalem (ἐν Ἱεροσολύμοις - en Hierosolymois): The religious and political capital of Judea, the site of the Temple, and where Jesus' first public confrontation with Jewish authorities occurred. This location adds weight to the events; they were not in some obscure village but the prominent spiritual center.
- at the feast (ἐν τῇ ἑορτῇ - en tē heortē): Refers to an annual pilgrimage festival, most likely Passover, which drew Jews from all over Israel, including Galilee, to Jerusalem. This gathering made it possible for many Galileans to be eyewitnesses.
- for they themselves (αὐτοὶ γὰρ - autoi gar): The pronoun "themselves" is emphatic, highlighting that the Galileans' witnessing was personal and direct. "For" provides the reason for their welcome, directly linking it to their Jerusalem experience.
- also had gone (ἑληλυθότες ἦσαν - elēlythotes ēsan): A pluperfect active participle and imperfect auxiliary verb, indicating a completed action in the past relative to their receiving Jesus. It underscores their participation in the pilgrimage and their shared experience.
- to the feast (εἰς τὴν ἑορτὴν - eis tēn heortēn): Reiterates the context of their visit to Jerusalem, affirming their presence as faithful Jewish pilgrims.
Words-Group analysis:
- "When He came to Galilee, the Galileans received Him": This phrase establishes the geographical setting and the initial positive interaction. It marks a shift from Judea (and Samaria) back to the area where Jesus spent most of His ministry, and where He would largely gather His initial disciples.
- "having seen all the things He did in Jerusalem at the feast": This is the core causal clause explaining why they received Him. Their welcome was based on external, observable evidence—Jesus' signs and works performed at a major public event in Jerusalem, witnessed by many.
- "for they themselves also had gone to the feast": This final explanatory clause validates the Galileans' knowledge. Their presence at the feast confirmed their personal witness and established a communal understanding of Jesus' remarkable deeds. It confirms their firsthand experience, distinguishing their knowledge from mere hearsay.
John 4 45 Bonus section
The concept of "receiving" Jesus (dechomai) is multifaceted in John. While the Galileans "received" Him (v.45) based on signs, the Samaritans earlier in this chapter (Jn 4:40-42) received Him by hearing His word and came to a deeper conviction, proclaiming Him as "the Savior of the world." This comparison highlights the varied quality of "reception." John often contrasts belief that comes from seeing (signs) with a more mature belief that comes from hearing (the Word) and genuine understanding of who Jesus is. The Galileans' reception here, while positive, hints at a conditional or wonder-seeking faith that Jesus frequently challenges. This sets up the immediate subsequent narrative, where Jesus confronts the royal official's request for a sign (Jn 4:46-54) as an opportunity for true belief to blossom, not just awe at a miracle. The episode therefore acts as a pivot, revealing a popular interest that requires transformation into authentic discipleship.
John 4 45 Commentary
John 4:45 marks Jesus' official re-entry into His home region of Galilee, contrasting sharply with His earlier pronouncement about a prophet's lack of honor there. The Galileans welcomed Him, but John meticulously clarifies the basis of their reception: it was rooted in what they had personally observed Him do in Jerusalem during a recent Passover feast. This is a crucial distinction. Their welcome was primarily motivated by the signs and wonders, suggesting an enthusiasm born of fascination rather than deep spiritual conviction about His divine identity or message. This aligns with a recurring theme in John's Gospel where "belief" based solely on signs can be superficial or self-serving, as Jesus Himself warned, "Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe" (Jn 4:48), and His earlier reluctance to "entrust himself" to such believers (Jn 2:24-25). This welcoming of Jesus is a testament to the powerful impression His signs made, but also subtly critiques the nature of their faith, laying the groundwork for further teaching that demands faith in His word and person beyond His miraculous acts.