John 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.
Original Language Analysis
οὗτος
When he
G3778
οὗτος
When he
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
1 of 27
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
3 of 27
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
4 of 27
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ἥκει
was come
G2240
ἥκει
was come
Strong's:
G2240
Word #:
5 of 27
to arrive, i.e., be present (literally or figuratively)
ἐκ
out of
G1537
ἐκ
out of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
6 of 27
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰουδαίας
Judaea
G2449
Ἰουδαίας
Judaea
Strong's:
G2449
Word #:
8 of 27
the judaean land (i.e., judaea), a region of palestine
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
9 of 27
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Γαλιλαίαν
Galilee
G1056
Γαλιλαίαν
Galilee
Strong's:
G1056
Word #:
11 of 27
galilaea (i.e., the heathen circle), a region of palestine
ἀπῆλθεν
he went
G565
ἀπῆλθεν
he went
Strong's:
G565
Word #:
12 of 27
to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
13 of 27
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
14 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
17 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
20 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
22 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱόν
son
G5207
υἱόν
son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
24 of 27
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
ἤμελλεν
he was at the point
G3195
ἤμελλεν
he was at the point
Strong's:
G3195
Word #:
25 of 27
to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili
Cross References
Historical Context
Nobles in Galilee served in Herod Antipas's court. The distance from Cana to Capernaum was about 16 miles. That he traveled this far shows desperation—his son's illness had exceeded local medical help.
Questions for Reflection
- How does crisis drive us to Christ, and how does He use our desperation to mature our faith?
- What limitations do we place on Christ's power based on our assumptions about how He must work?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The nobleman's desperate plea for Jesus to 'come down' and heal his dying son demonstrates both faith (he believes Jesus can heal) and weakness (he thinks Jesus must be physically present). His urgency ('for he was at the point of death') reflects natural parental love and creates opportunity for Jesus to strengthen his faith.