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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.

Read it in context The nobleman's son
Start reading at John 4:43 (John 4:43 to John 4:54). An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.

The healing at a distance connects Jesus' spoken assurance with the household's response and completes the return to Cana.

  1. 4:43 Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee.
  2. 4:44 For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country.
  3. 4:45 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.
  4. 4:46 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.
  5. 4:47 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.
  6. 4:48 Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.
  7. 4:49 The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.
  8. 4:50 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.
  9. 4:51 And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.
  10. 4:52 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.
  11. 4:53 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.
  12. 4:54 This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee.

Who

What

When

Where

How

Cited: John 4:43, John 4:54, John 1:14, John 8:31, John 14:15, John 20:31

Who wrote it, and how we know

John the apostle Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book identifies its author as the disciple who testifies of these things and wrote them. John 21:24John 21:20
Early traditionEarly testimony, notably Irenaeus, names John the apostle.
What is debated

There is substantial early Christian tradition supporting John the son of Zebedee—James’s brother—as the authority behind the Gospel, but it is not the same kind of evidence as having a signed first-century manuscript saying “I, John son of Zebedee, wrote this.” The case is cumulative, built from internal evidence in the Gospel plus external testimony from early Christians. There are also real reasons scholars debate it.

Related passages

Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).

Macro-Structure

See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.

John 4

The Gospel states that its signs are written so readers may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and have life through His name. Read its claims about belief alongside its calls to receive His word, continue in it, and follow Him.

John 20:30 John 20:31 John 8:31

The woman at the well
John 4:1–26

FocusLiving water and true worship

Connection to the wholeThe conversation moves from water to the woman's life, worship, and Jesus' identity, crossing barriers that shape the disciples' surprise.
interpretation
The harvest in Samaria
John 4:27–42

FocusWitness and personal hearing

Connection to the wholeThe woman's testimony brings others to Jesus, while His words about the harvest teach the disciples to recognize the work before them.
interpretation
The nobleman's son
John 4:43–54 You are here · 4:47

FocusTrusting Jesus' word

Connection to the wholeThe healing at a distance connects Jesus' spoken assurance with the household's response and completes the return to Cana.
interpretation

Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.

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