John 4:47

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

οὗτος

G3778

When he

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

ἀκούσας

G191

heard

to hear (in various senses)

ὅτι

G3754

that

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

Ἰησοῦς

G2424

Jesus

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

ἥκει

G2240

was come

to arrive, i.e., be present (literally or figuratively)

ἐκ

G1537

out of

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

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰουδαίας

G2449

Judaea

the judaean land (i.e., judaea), a region of palestine

εἰς

G1519

into

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

#10

τὴν

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#11

Γαλιλαίαν

G1056

Galilee

galilaea (i.e., the heathen circle), a region of palestine

#12

ἀπῆλθεν

G565

he went

to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively

#13

πρὸς

G4314

unto

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,

#14

αὐτοῦ

G846

him

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

#15

καὶ

G2532

and

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#16

ἠρώτα

G2065

besought

to interrogate; by implication, to request

#17

αὐτοῦ

G846

him

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

#18

ἵνα

G2443

that

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

#19

καταβῇ

G2597

he would come down

to descend (literally or figuratively)

#20

καὶ

G2532

and

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#21

ἰάσηται

G2390

heal

to cure (literally or figuratively)

#22

αὐτοῦ

G846

him

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

#23

τὸν

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#24

υἱόν

G5207

son

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

#25

ἤμελλεν

G3195

he was at the point

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

#26

γὰρ

G1063

for

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

#27

ἀποθνῄσκειν

G599

of death

to die off (literally or figuratively)

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

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on divine love particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from covenant faithfulness to sacrificial love demonstrated in Christ, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
How does this verse's literary context within John chapter 4 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?

Related Resources

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John 4:47

Analysis

Historical Context

Questions for Reflection

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