John 4:48
Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
4 of 15
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
5 of 15
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,
αὐτόν
him
G846
αὐτόν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 15
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
Ἐὰν
G1437
Ἐὰν
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
7 of 15
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
μὴ
G3361
μὴ
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
8 of 15
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
σημεῖα
signs
G4592
σημεῖα
signs
Strong's:
G4592
Word #:
9 of 15
an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἴδητε
ye see
G1492
ἴδητε
ye see
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
12 of 15
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
οὐ
G3756
Cross References
Hebrews 2:4God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?John 20:29Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.1 Corinthians 1:22For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:Daniel 4:2I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me.Acts 2:22Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:Acts 14:3Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.Mark 13:22For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.Romans 15:19Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.Matthew 24:24For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.John 12:37But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
Historical Context
This statement recalls Jesus' commendation of those who believe without seeing (John 20:29). The Galileans' welcome based on witnessed miracles (v. 45) exemplifies the sign-seeking mentality Jesus challenges.
Questions for Reflection
- Why is faith that depends on constant miraculous confirmation immature or insufficient?
- How do we grow from demanding signs to trusting Christ's word alone?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Jesus' rebuke 'Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe' addresses not just the nobleman but the Galileans generally. This critiques sign-dependent faith while also testing the nobleman's trust. True faith believes Christ's word apart from visible evidence. The Reformed tradition emphasizes that faith is 'the evidence of things not seen' (Hebrews 11:1).