John 4:51 - Printer Friendly

ESV: As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering.

NIV: While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living.

NASB: And as he was now going down, his slaves met him, saying that his son was alive.

CSB: While he was still going down, his servants met him saying that his boy was alive.

NLT: While the man was on his way, some of his servants met him with the news that his son was alive and well.

KJV: And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.

NKJV: And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, “Your son lives!”

This man is described in verse 46 using the Greek term basilikos, which implies royal connections. He is either a court official, a nobleman, or some other high-ranking person. Given that his son is in dire straits (John 4:47), going to Jesus for healing was probably his last-ditch effort to save the boy. Jesus' actions in Jerusalem (John 2:23) and Sychar (John 4:40–41) have made enough impact that others are hearing about Him. Coming to Jesus is an act which proves the man has some knowledge, and some hope. Jesus, however, makes the point that many people will not believe unless they see miracles. This is not the same as "faith," which requires trust. Jesus' instructions to the man in verse 50 are meant to test that very trait. Knowing that Jesus is a healer is not "trust." Hoping that He will heal is not "trust." Insisting on Jesus coming back with him certainly implies that he felt a need to control the situation. However, being willing to walk away, with only His word as a promise, requires genuine, biblical trust, which is what the Scriptures mean by "faith."

The timing of this encounter shows that the man's request was already granted, before he even knew it. This is a common aspect of our relationship to God, which is often overlooked. There are times when we cannot see the answers to our prayers, but that does not mean God has not answered them. In this case, the man traveled quite some way before getting the news—the servants refer to the moment of healing as "yesterday" (John 4:52). During that time, though he did not know it, God had already granted his request.

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.