John 4 50

John 4:50 kjv

Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.

John 4:50 nkjv

Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your son lives." So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way.

John 4:50 niv

"Go," Jesus replied, "your son will live." The man took Jesus at his word and departed.

John 4:50 esv

Jesus said to him, "Go; your son will live." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way.

John 4:50 nlt

Then Jesus told him, "Go back home. Your son will live!" And the man believed what Jesus said and started home.

John 4 verses

John 4 50 Meaning

Jesus's declaration, "Go thy way; thy son liveth," demonstrates His supreme authority and the power inherent in His word alone to heal even at a distance. The royal official's subsequent belief in Jesus's spoken word before seeing any physical evidence highlights the foundational New Testament principle that genuine faith precedes sight and outward confirmation. This act signifies Christ's ability to impart life through His word, establishing a key theme in John's Gospel.

John 4 50 Context

John chapter 4 primarily narrates Jesus's interaction with the Samaritan woman and then His return to Galilee. Verses 46-54 describe Jesus's second miracle performed in Cana of Galilee. A royal official travels from Capernaum to Cana, urgently seeking Jesus because his son is at the point of death. The official's initial plea reveals a common desire for miraculous signs as proof of divine power, to which Jesus replies, "Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe" (John 4:48). This verse (4:50) follows that interaction, showcasing Jesus's direct and authoritative command to the official, which challenges him to believe based purely on the word spoken, without immediately seeing the outcome. It sets the stage for a faith that trusts the speaker's authority, rather than merely relying on physical observation of a miracle. The miracle, notably, occurs at a distance, distinguishing it from many physical healings Jesus performed with a touch or presence, further emphasizing the power of His word independent of proximity. This event functions as the "second sign" in John's narrative that Jesus performed in Cana, demonstrating His glory and prompting belief.

John 4 50 Word analysis

• Jesus saith unto him: (Greek: Legē autō ho Iēsous). Legē (from legō) is a declarative, active statement by Jesus. It highlights His initiative and authority in the interaction. It is not a question or a suggestion but a definitive pronouncement.
• Go thy way: (Greek: Poreuou). An imperative command in the present tense, meaning "continue going" or "keep going." It is a directive to depart from Jesus and return home. This command necessitates trust and immediate obedience on the part of the official. It signifies Jesus dismissing him based on His word alone.
• thy son liveth: (Greek: Ho huios sou zē). Zē (from zaō) is in the present tense, "is living," not "will live." This indicates that the healing is effective at the very moment Jesus speaks, confirming the immediacy and present power of His word. It's a declaration of a present reality. This is a core part of Jesus's demonstration of power over sickness and death, akin to life-giving.
• And the man believed: (Greek: kai episteusen ho anthrōpos). Episteusen (from pisteuō) is in the aorist indicative, pointing to a definitive, completed act of believing. This faith is key. It wasn't belief after seeing, but belief in the word spoken. This immediate faith stands in stark contrast to Jesus's previous observation about signs and wonders. It highlights genuine, saving faith.
• the word: (Greek: tō logō). Refers specifically to the logos, the spoken utterance of Jesus. This emphasizes that it was Jesus's command itself that carried the divine power, not a physical touch or presence. It draws a theological parallel to the creative power of God's Word in the Old Testament.
• that Jesus had spoken: (Greek: hon eipen autō ho Iēsous). Reinforces that the object of the man's belief was precisely Jesus's specific spoken command.
• and he went his way: (Greek: kai eporeueto). Eporeueto is imperfect tense, "was going" or "started going and continued." This highlights his immediate and continuous action of obedience stemming directly from his faith. He didn't wait, didn't argue, but set out at once, showing concrete action rooted in belief. This movement away from Jesus, trusting His word, foreshadows later apostolic missions.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth.": This full phrase is a concise and powerful demonstration of Jesus's absolute authority over disease and distance. It encapsulates His divine nature. The parallel structure "Go thy way... he went his way" frames the command and obedience, illustrating faith in action. The declaration of life (liveth) at the exact moment of speaking highlights the effectual nature of Christ's word.
• "And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken, and he went his way.": This second part emphasizes the response to Jesus's divine authority. The core is the official's belief in Jesus's word. This is not simply assent, but a transformative trust that leads to immediate and obedient action ("he went his way"), without prior empirical evidence. It underscores the vital role of faith as the bridge between God's power and human experience. It's a testament to "hearing" faith leading to tangible, though not yet seen, reality.

John 4 50 Bonus section

• The royal official's urgent journey from Capernaum to Cana (a journey of about 20 miles or 32 km) underscores the severity of his son's condition and the depth of his despair, which motivated him to seek Jesus.
• This incident subtly foreshadows the broader evangelistic call for people to believe without necessarily experiencing direct physical signs and wonders. Jesus's method here calls for faith in the spiritual efficacy of His word, rather than requiring tangible proofs for belief.
• The title "royal official" (Greek: basilikos) might indicate an officer in Herod Antipas's court, a person of considerable social standing and influence. His faith becomes a powerful testimony that belief in Jesus is not limited by social status.
• The second sign at Cana confirms the divine pattern of Jesus's ministry: powerful words leading to powerful results, which then lead to belief.

John 4 50 Commentary

John 4:50 provides a profound insight into the nature of Christ's authority and the essence of saving faith. Jesus, without physical presence at the son's bedside, simply speaks a word. This word carries omnipotent power, demonstrating His unique divine prerogative over life and death, sickness and health. The royal official's response is the spiritual crux: he "believed the word." This is not just intellectual assent but a profound trust in Jesus's unseen power and authority, causing him to turn and begin his journey home, before any evidence of healing reached him. His faith precedes his sight, modeling true discipleship. This miracle serves as a stark contrast to a mere demand for signs, elevating faith as a spiritual reality that apprehends divine power by taking Jesus at His word. It demonstrates that the source of life resides in Christ's declarative power, available even across physical distance, and that receiving this life requires active belief and obedient action.