John 4:46

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
Ἦλθεν
came
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#2
οὖν
So
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
#3
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#4
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
#5
πάλιν
again
(adverbially) anew, i.e., (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand
#6
εἰς
into
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
#7
τὴν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#8
Κανὰ
Cana
cana, a place in palestine
#9
τῆς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#10
Γαλιλαίας
of Galilee
galilaea (i.e., the heathen circle), a region of palestine
#11
ὅπου
where
what(-ever) where, i.e., at whichever spot
#12
ἐποίησεν
he made
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
#13
τὸ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#14
ὕδωρ
the water
water (as if rainy) literally or figuratively
#15
οἶνον
wine
"wine" (literally or figuratively)
#16
καὶ
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#17
ἦν
there was
i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)
#18
τις
a certain
some or any person or object
#19
βασιλικὸς
nobleman
regal (in relation), i.e., (literally) belonging to (or befitting) the sovereign (as land, dress, or a courtier), or (figuratively) preeminent
#20
οὗ
whose
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
#21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#22
υἱὸς
son
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
#23
ἠσθένει
was sick
to be feeble (in any sense)
#24
ἐν
at
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#25
Καπερναούμ·
Capernaum
capernaum (i.e., caphanachum), a place in palestine

Analysis

The divine love theme here intersects with God's covenantal faithfulness demonstrated throughout salvation history. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation from covenant love in the Old Testament to agape love in the New. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about hesed in the Old Testament and agape in the New Testament.

Historical Context

The historical context of the late first century during increasing tension between synagogue and church provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The late first-century Jewish-Christian tensions and Hellenistic thought would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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