Chapter
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Verse
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54

John 4:47
ESV When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.
NIV When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.
NASB When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and began asking Him to come down and heal his son; for he was at the point of death.
CSB When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea into Galilee, he went to him and pleaded with him to come down and heal his son, since he was about to die.
NLT When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Jesus to come to Capernaum to heal his son, who was about to die.
KJV 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.

What does John 4:47 mean?

The man in question is only described using the Greek word basilikos, meaning a court official or nobleman (John 4:46). Scripture doesn't say if he was Jewish or a Gentile. Nor does it say exactly what his title was, what was wrong with his son, or any other details. As usual, none of those are the point of the story, so the Bible efficiently sticks to the important elements. Prior verses explained that Jesus' ministry is attracting attention. The local religious leaders are already watching Him (John 4:1–3). He has caused one public disturbance in the temple (John 2:13–17). Local people who went to Jerusalem for the required feasts saw what He did in the city (John 2:23), and more than likely spread those stories when they got home. This would have included Capernaum, where this man was from. Jesus has also spent the last two days in Sychar, where He was well received (John 4:40–42).

According to this verse, the man's son was in dire condition. So, probably as a last-ditch effort, he is willing to come plead with Jesus for healing. We can't be sure, from the Bible alone, if word of Jesus' wedding miracle had been spread (John 2:9–11). One way or the other, this man plans to ask Jesus for help. Specifically, he wants Jesus to come to his son in order to heal him. Jesus has other plans, however.
Expand
Expand
Expand
What is the Gospel?
Download the app:
BibleRef.com is part of Got Questions Ministries

For answers to your Bible questions, please visit