John 4:43-End of Chapter
The journey that started in John 4:3-5 continues after Jesus spent two days in Samaria. Verse 43 ties it all together: “Now after the two days He departed from there and went to Galilee.” But Jesus does not stop in Nazareth but continues to Galilee to the town of Cana 8 miles further north, the sight of Jesus’s first recorded miracle of turning the water into wine. Why would he avoid the city of his youth? John, the author, clarifies that Jesus testified “that a prophet has no honor in his own country. But 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.” But the text also wants us to see that even though they lived in Galilee and were remote from Jerusalem, they, too, were pious Jews.
Verse 46, “So Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum.” Nobleman was a king’s man in that he was a royal official possibly in service to Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee and Peraea. He is also a Jew and thus most likely associated with a class of people who were called Herodians.
As a side note, the Bible identifies Chuza in Luke 8:3 and Manaen in Acts 13:1 as Herodians who became Christians. Some have thought perhaps one of these two is the nobleman in this passage, but there is no Biblical proof of either of these being the nobleman here in Cana whose son is sick in Capernaum 16 miles from where Jesus and the Nobleman are. Another exciting piece of information is that it has been nearly a year since Jesus was in Capernaum.
“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). The passage is wanting to us to see that human wisdom and skill could do no more for the son of the Nobleman. Therefore, as a last resort, he travels a day’s journey to ask Jesus to heal his son.
In the story of Nicodemus, the critical element to the story and the testimony of John the Baptizer when he talks about being a friend of the bridegroom is for people to believe that Jesus is the Messiah. And the Messiah has come to save, not to condemn. To heal and comfort those who are thirsting for something more, which is what Jesus offered the woman at the well.
Jesus’s response to this request sounds startling. “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe” (John 4:48). I am convinced that the Nobleman had come to terms with Jesus as the Messiah. But I am also equally convinced that Jesus, being the discerner of hearts, understood the condition of this man’s heart. Jesus is saying will you not further believe without seeing signs and wonder. I am seeking those who want a genuine relationship with me, and you are seeking signs and wonders. Yes, the nobleman had faith or would not have come to Jesus. But his motives were not pure, for he sought help for his son. Which I honestly can understand. What parent would not seek help for his child? Christ is concerned not only for the child but also for the condition of the nobleman’s heart. I also think the nobleman understood that Jesus read the condition of his heart and thus responded to Jesus by seeking a genuine relationship with him.
The Nobleman responds to Jesus. “Sir, come down before my child dies!” 50 “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 4:49, 50). Here is the proof that the Nobleman’s faith had increased. It was 16 miles from Capernaum to Cana. That is the equivalent of nearly a full day’s travel on foot. But being a nobleman and in service to the king or tetrarch, there was a chance this man had taken a donkey or a chariot pulled by horses to bring him to Jesus. Because the healing, as we will soon see, occurs at the seventh hour or 1 p.m.
Verse 51: “And as he was now going down (back to Capernaum), his servants met him and told him, saying ‘Your son lives.’” The Greek phrase means your son lives and will keep on living.
“Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better. And they said to him, ‘Yesterday at the seventh hour, the fever left him. 53 So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, ‘Your son lives.’ And he himself believed, and his whole house believes.” The man’s faith had grown so that just a simple command from Jesus and the man believed. Cana is approximately 1500 feet higher in elevation than Capernaum. Therefore, the trip home should have taken less time than getting to Jesus. But the man believed, and his return home was delayed; perhaps he needed to do business for Herod. But the next day, while on his way, his servants bring him the good news that his son lives and will continue to live.
The story of the Nobleman’s healed son reinforces what happened in Samaria with the woman in the well. In John 2:24, 25, the author states that Jesus knew and was a discerner of people’s hearts. Second, Nicodemus came to Jesus wondering if this was the Messiah but not believing that Jesus was. Third, the woman at the well was looking for the Messiah and was rewarded. Fourth, the woman testified to the people of Sychar what Jesus had done for her. The people believed her, but their faith increased when they naturally and personally encountered Jesus. Finally, the Nobleman’s story illustrates that many have faith in Jesus but do not have a genuine relationship with Jesus. They have heard from others what Jesus has done for them but have not personally experienced Jesus for themselves. Therefore, they come seeking signs and wonders to strengthen their faith. But encountering Jesus for himself, the Nobleman’s faith increased. He no longer needed signs and wonders to believe in Jesus. He believed because he had personally experienced Jesus.
The chapter closes with, “This is the second sign Jesus did when He had come out of Judea into Galilee” (John 4:54).
John’s gospel is now asking you a deeply personal question. Have you encountered Jesus, the discerner of hearts? Perhaps you think he might be the Messiah but are unsure, like Nicodemus. Maybe you are more like the woman at the well. Your understanding of the scriptures is imperfect, but you are searching for the Messiah. Or perhaps you are like the nobleman who has a measure of faith, but his faith is imperfect, looking for a sign that Jesus is the true Messiah. The author asks, Is this enough information for you to form a relationship with Jesus as the Messiah? John is asking, have you seen the testimony of John the Baptizer as to who Jesus is. Will you weigh the evidence as seen in the first four chapters and decide for Christ? Or are you, like many, still wanting more evidence? If so, stay tuned as John’s gospel further explains who Jesus is and his purpose for coming. God the Word comes in human flesh (see the synoptic gospels for the birth story). He is the one who comes in the likeness of man to be lifted up and draw all men unto himself. And he is the living water. Will you, like the nobleman, develop a relationship with Jesus and, as a result of that relationship, strengthen your faith in him? On to Jerusalem! On to more revelations regarding the Messiah and just who he is.
The Bible In Your Hand 