1. Healing a Nobleman’s Son in Capernaum

Received in Galilee

John 4:43-45

After the two days he went out from there and went into Galilee. ⁴⁴For Jesus himself testified that a prophet has no honour in his own country. ⁴⁵So when he came into Galilee, the Galileans received him, having seen all the things that he did in Jerusalem at the feast, for they also went to the feast.

Jesus Heals an Official’s Son

John 4:46-54

Jesus came therefore again to Cana of Galilee, where he made the water into wine. There was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum. ⁴⁷When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to him, and begged him that he would come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.

⁴⁸Jesus therefore said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders, you will in no way believe.”

⁴⁹The nobleman said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.”

⁵⁰Jesus said to him, “Go your way. Your son lives.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way.

⁵¹As he was now going down, his servants met him and reported, saying “Your child lives!” ⁵²So he inquired of them the hour when he began to get better. They said therefore to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour, the fever left him.”

⁵³So the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives.” He believed, as did his whole house.

⁵⁴This is again the second sign that Jesus did, having come out of Judea into Galilee.

Seeing is Not Believing

Jesus therefore said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders, you will in no way believe.” (John 4:48 WEB)

Those who asked for a sign but did not believe:

The Jews therefore answered him, “What sign do you show us, seeing that you do these things?” (John 2:18 WEB)

The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing him, asked him to show them a sign from heaven. (Matthew 16:1 WEB)

“He saved others, but he can’t save himself. If he is the King of Israel, let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. (Matthew 27:42 WEB)

“He said to him, ‘If they don’t listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if one rises from the dead.’” (Luke 16:31 WEB)

Those who are called (who believe):

Jesus said to him, “Go your way. Your son lives.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. (John 4:50)

For Jews ask for signs, Greeks seek after wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified; a stumbling block to Jews, and foolishness to Greeks, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. (1 Corinthians 1:22-25 WEB)

Jesus said to him (Thomas), “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed.” (John 20:29 WEB)

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1 AFV)