John 4:52
Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.
Original Language Analysis
ἐπύθετο
enquired he
G4441
ἐπύθετο
enquired he
Strong's:
G4441
Word #:
1 of 21
to question, i.e., ascertain by inquiry (as a matter of information merely; and thus differing from g2065, which properly means a request as a favor;
παρ'
of
G3844
παρ'
of
Strong's:
G3844
Word #:
3 of 21
properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 21
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
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ᾗ
G3739
ᾗ
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
8 of 21
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἔσχεν·
he began
G2192
ἔσχεν·
he began
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
10 of 21
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 21
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
ὅτι
G3754
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
19 of 21
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
Historical Context
The 'seventh hour' by Roman reckoning was 7 PM, by Jewish reckoning was 1 PM. The fever's sudden departure ('left him') indicates miraculous rather than natural recovery. The nobleman's overnight delay before returning home suggests the late hour when he received Jesus' word.
Questions for Reflection
- How do specific details and timing sometimes strengthen our faith in God's providential work?
- Why does John include such precise chronological markers in his Gospel accounts?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The nobleman's inquiry about the timing demonstrates desire to connect the healing with Jesus' word. The servants' specific answer ('Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him') provides empirical correlation. This precision serves faith—John includes such details to build confidence that Jesus' word effects immediate results even at distance.