John 4:53
So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.
Original Language Analysis
ἔγνω
knew
G1097
ἔγνω
knew
Strong's:
G1097
Word #:
1 of 28
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατὴρ
the father
G3962
πατὴρ
the father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
4 of 28
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
5 of 28
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἐκείνῃ
the same
G1565
ἐκείνῃ
the same
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
7 of 28
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ᾗ
the which
G3739
ᾗ
the which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
11 of 28
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
αὐτοῦ
himself
G846
αὐτοῦ
himself
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 28
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
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
15 of 28
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
16 of 28
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
Ὁ
G3588
Ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱός
son
G5207
υἱός
son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
18 of 28
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
21 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπίστευσεν
believed
G4100
ἐπίστευσεν
believed
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
22 of 28
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
αὐτοῦ
himself
G846
αὐτοῦ
himself
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
23 of 28
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 #:
24 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
25 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἰκία
house
G3614
οἰκία
house
Strong's:
G3614
Word #:
26 of 28
properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics)
Cross References
Psalms 107:20He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.Luke 19:9And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.Acts 18:8And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.Acts 11:14Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.Acts 16:34And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
Historical Context
Household conversion was common in the early church (Acts 16:15, 31-34, 18:8, 1 Corinthians 1:16). The nobleman's household would include family, servants, and dependents—all impacted by the miracle and his testimony.
Questions for Reflection
- How should heads of households view their influence and responsibility for their family's spiritual welfare?
- What role do miracles play in bringing people to faith, and how is that faith then established?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The father's realization that healing occurred 'at the same hour' when Jesus spoke establishes the miracle's certainty. The result—'himself believed, and his whole house'—shows household conversion following the father's faith. This pattern (household salvation following the head's conversion) appears throughout Acts, reflecting ancient familial structures and covenant theology.