John 4:47 kjv
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 nkjv
When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.
John 4:47 niv
When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.
John 4:47 esv
When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.
John 4:47 nlt
When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Jesus to come to Capernaum to heal his son, who was about to die.
John 4 47 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 18:22-33 | Abraham pleaded with the Lord for Sodom. | Persistent pleading for others |
| 2 Sam 12:15-18 | David fasted and wept for his sick child. | Desperate plea for a child's life |
| 2 Ki 4:22-37 | The Shunammite woman sought Elisha for her dead son. | Urgent journey to a prophet for a child |
| Isa 38:1-5 | Hezekiah pleaded with God for more life. | Near death and plea for healing |
| Mat 8:5-13 | The centurion asks Jesus to heal his servant with a word from afar. | Healing at a distance by Jesus' word |
| Mat 9:18-26 | Jairus, a ruler, begged Jesus for his dying daughter. | Official begging for child, belief rewarded |
| Mat 15:21-28 | The Canaanite woman's persistent plea for her demon-possessed daughter. | Desperate mother's faith for her child |
| Mk 1:21-28 | Jesus in Capernaum demonstrating authority over illness. | Jesus' authority recognized in Capernaum |
| Mk 5:21-24 | Jairus, a synagogue leader, pleaded for his dying daughter. | Desperate father's plea, need for Christ's presence |
| Mk 5:35-43 | Even after death, Jesus restores Jairus' daughter. | Jesus' power over death |
| Lk 7:1-10 | The centurion's great faith in Jesus' word for his servant. | Belief in power of Jesus' distant word |
| Jn 2:1-11 | Jesus' first sign at Cana turned water into wine. | First sign in Cana; second here |
| Jn 4:1-3 | Jesus leaves Judea because the Pharisees heard He was making disciples. | Jesus' geographical movement, avoidance of conflict |
| Jn 4:48 | "Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe." | Contrast to the official's developing faith |
| Jn 4:50 | Jesus tells him, "Go; your son will live." The man believed. | Jesus' command as sufficient for healing |
| Jn 11:21-22 | Martha's faith: "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." | Belief in Jesus' physical presence for healing |
| Acts 28:27 | "Their eyes they have closed, lest they should... be healed by Me." | Contrast: some resist seeing/believing for healing |
| Rom 10:14, 17 | How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? Faith comes from hearing. | Hearing leads to belief and calling on Jesus |
| Heb 11:1 | "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." | Definition of faith; relevant for future belief |
| Jam 5:14-15 | Calling for the elders to pray over the sick, that they may be healed. | Prayer and faith for healing |
| 1 Jn 5:14 | "If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us." | God hears and responds to sincere requests |
John 4 verses
John 4 47 Meaning
John 4:47 describes a pivotal moment where a royal official from Capernaum, upon hearing of Jesus' arrival in Cana of Galilee, traveled to Him with profound desperation. His only plea was for Jesus to accompany him to Capernaum to heal his son, who was at the verge of death. This verse highlights the urgent and life-threatening situation, the official's initiative based on reputation, and his perceived method for divine intervention.
John 4 47 Context
John chapter 4 marks a significant transition in Jesus' ministry. He intentionally leaves Judea (Jn 4:1-3) to go into Galilee, passing through Samaria, where He engages the Samaritan woman. Upon His arrival in Cana, where He performed His first miracle (Jn 2:11), news of His presence spread. This particular verse introduces a royal official (basilikos), likely an officer in the court of Herod Antipas, who governed Galilee. He resided in Capernaum, a town approximately 20 miles away from Cana. The urgent need for his dying son drove this official to embark on a considerable journey to seek Jesus. His desperate plea underscores the severe nature of his son's illness, highlighting both a father's profound love and his immediate conviction that Jesus possessed the power to intervene.
John 4 47 Word analysis
- When he heard (ἀκούσας, akousas): A strong aorist participle indicating an immediate, decisive action prompted by the news. This signifies the reputation of Jesus had preceded Him, even to officials.
- that Jesus was come (ἐληλύθει Ἰησοῦς, elēlythei Iēsous): The pluperfect tense emphasizes that Jesus had already arrived and settled in Galilee, signifying a stable presence rather than a fleeting visit.
- out of Judaea into Galilee (ἐκ τῆς Ἰουδαίας εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν): This geographical transition signifies a new phase of Jesus' ministry, possibly driven by the growing opposition from Judean religious authorities (Jn 4:1-3).
- he went unto him (ἀπῆλθεν πρὸς αὐτόν, apēlthen pros auton): This phrase emphasizes the official's initiative, his long and arduous journey to reach Jesus, demonstrating profound determination and urgency despite his social status.
- and besought him (καὶ ἠρώτα αὐτόν, kai ērōta auton): The imperfect tense "he was asking" or "he kept on asking" implies persistent and earnest pleading. The Greek term
erōtaosignifies a direct, often urgent request. - that he would come down (ἵνα καταβῇ, hina katabē): A purpose clause indicating the official's specific request for Jesus' physical presence. Cana was situated on higher ground, while Capernaum was lower, near the Sea of Galilee. This shows his understanding that Jesus' healing required proximity.
- and heal his son (καὶ ἰάσηται αὐτὸν τὸν υἱόν, kai iasētai auton ton huion): The direct plea for a miracle, for his son's restoration to health. This reveals the core need driving his desperation.
- for he was at the point of death (ἤμελεν γὰρ ἀποθνῄσκειν, ēmelen gar apothnēskein): This crucial explanatory clause provides the gravity of the situation. The imperfect form of
mellōfollowed by the infinitive indicates an imminent and certain outcome, conveying extreme urgency and little hope from human medicine.
Words-group analysis:
- "When he heard... he went unto him": This chain demonstrates the power of information and the prompt, proactive response it can elicit, driven by deep need. The royal official acted decisively based on Jesus' reputation.
- "besought him that he would come down, and heal his son": This grouping reveals the man's initial assumption that Jesus needed to be physically present at the bedside to heal, reflecting common ancient beliefs about healing. It highlights the conventional expectation versus the supernatural power Jesus exhibits.
- "heal his son: for he was at the point of death": This directly links the extreme peril of the situation with the precise object of the plea. The immediacy of the threat is the fundamental motivation for seeking Jesus.
John 4 47 Bonus section
This "royal official" (basilikos) signifies a person of considerable influence and status, serving under King Herod Antipas. That such a man would humble himself and seek out Jesus underscores the extraordinary reputation Jesus had gained, even among those in the political establishment, suggesting an appeal transcending social strata. This healing marks the second "sign" (Jn 4:54) Jesus performed in Cana, purposefully noted by John, echoing the first in Jn 2. This emphasizes a pattern of validating Jesus' messianic identity through miracles. The narrative sets a strong foundation for the concept of Jesus' omnipresent power, preparing disciples to believe in His word even when He is physically absent, a truth crucial for the growth of the early church.
John 4 47 Commentary
John 4:47 paints a vivid picture of human desperation meeting divine renown. A prominent official, someone expected to exert authority, humbles himself, undertaking a challenging journey to beseech Jesus for his son's life. His plea for Jesus to "come down" to Capernaum to heal reflects a common understanding of healing, often tied to a physical presence or a specific ritual. The dire state of his son, "at the point of death," amplifies the urgency and gravity of his appeal. This encounter foreshadows a key Johannine theme: the development of faith, moving from a demand for physical proximity or visible signs towards belief in the authority of Jesus' word alone, a pivotal step in understanding Christ's nature. It sets the stage for Jesus' second Cana miracle, a sign demonstrating His power to heal over distance and the efficacy of faith beyond sight.