John 4:48 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.”

NIV: Unless you people see signs and wonders,' Jesus told him, 'you will never believe.'

NASB: Then Jesus said to him, 'Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.'

CSB: Jesus told him, "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe."

NLT: Jesus asked, 'Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?'

KJV: Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.

NKJV: Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.”

In the original Greek, Jesus' meaning in this verse is easier to see. The word "you" in English can refer to a single person or a group of people. The Greek terms used in this verse are plural: Jesus is saying, "you people" want signs and miracles. His criticism is not of this man alone, but of the general attitude people have toward faith. This was a common problem in Jesus' day (Matthew 16:1–4), and is common in ours as well.

Jesus' approach here is meant to show the difference between "knowledge" and "faith." Biblical faith is really trust—it is not enough to know something, one has to rely on it, and act in accordance with it. Christ often made comments that seem blunt, dismissive, or even bizarre at first (Matthew 15:26; John 4:17–18; John 6:51). His remarks always had a purpose, however. Mostly, this was meant to cause the other person to reveal their true intentions. Jesus is setting up a spiritual challenge for this man: are you willing to really trust me, without seeing proof, or not (John 4:49–50)?

John 4:46–54 records the second of Jesus' seven miracles in the gospel of John. The primary point of this miracle is the importance of biblical ''faith,'' which is really ''trust.'' Jesus suggests that some people won’t believe—won’t actually ''trust'' in Christ—without seeing some miraculous event. Jesus then asks a miracle-seeker to act in trusting faith, by leaving without any proof that his request has been granted. As it turns out, the man has actual, trusting belief, and obeys. He finds his faith has already been rewarded on his way home. This also demonstrates the fact that God may sometimes answer our prayers long before we know He's done so.

Jesus speaks to a Samaritan woman who is drawing water from a well. Jesus both confronts her about her sin, and comforts her with the truth of the gospel. In particular, He explains that even though He knows her sins, He still seeks after her, and those like her. The woman returns to town, eventually bringing many people to meet Jesus. The disciples, meanwhile, have to be reminded of the purpose of their mission. Jesus also heals the son of a government official in a way that demonstrates the importance of trusting faith, rather than reliance on spectacle.

John chapter 4 continues the use of contrast. Jesus goes from conversing with an educated, powerful, prestigious man to talking to an outcast, unlearned, self-conscious woman. The combination of this passage, along with Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus, makes an important spiritual point. The gospel is for all people, in all places, and all times. Christ can reach each person exactly where he or she needs to be reached.

The gospel of John was written by the disciple John, decades later than the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The author assumes that a reader is already familiar with the content of these other works. So, John presents a different perspective, with a greater emphasis on meaning. John uses seven miracles—which he calls “signs”—in order to prove that Jesus is, in fact, God incarnate. Some of the most well-known verses in all of the Bible are found here. None is more famous than the one-sentence summary of the gospel found in John 3:16.

Accessed 5/5/2024 9:26:06 PM