Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 4:49
The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.
49. ere my child die ] This shews both the man’s faith and its weakness. He believes that Christ’s presence can save the child; he does not believe that He can save him without being present.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Come down … – The earnestness of the nobleman evinces the deep and tender anxiety of a father. So anxious was he for his son that he was not willing that Jesus should delay a moment – not even to address the people. He still seems to have supposed that Jesus had no power to heal his son except he was present with him.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 49. Sir, come down, c.] He did not think our Lord could cure him without being present, and seems here to feel himself hurt, because our Lord did not come at his first entreaty. It is difficult for a proud man, or a man in office, to humble himself, or to treat even God Almighty with proper respect. The spirit of this man seems not much unlike to that of Naaman the Syrian, 2Kg 5:11.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The courtier, though probably of spirit enough to have shown some discontent at our Saviours no kinder answer to him before, yet was so intent upon his sons life, that he takes no notice of it, but renews his request, still discovering the weakness of his faith, as thinking that Christs personal presence was necessary to the life of his son.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
49. come down ere my childdie“While we talk, the case is at its crisis, and if Thoucome not instantly, all is over.” This was faith, but partial,and our Lord would perfect it. The man cannot believe the cure couldbe wrought without the Physician coming to the patientthe thoughtof such a thing evidently never occurred to him. But Jesus will in amoment bring him up to this.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
The nobleman saith unto him, Sir,…. Notwithstanding this reproof, and seeming denial, he presses him again, and addressing him in a handsome and courteous manner, importunately entreats him, saying:
come down ere my son die; here was faith with a mixture of unbelief; he believed that Christ was able to heal his son, but he still thought that his going down with him was necessary; that he must be corporeally present, and must lay his hands on him, or touch him, or speak, and command the distemper off, or something of this kind, and which must be done before he died; for otherwise, should he die first, all hope was then gone; he had no notion of Christ being able to raise him from the dead.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Sir (). See 1:38.
Come down (). Second aorist active imperative, tense and tone of urgency. ( ). Regular idiom with in positive clause, second aorist active infinitive of and accusative of general reference, “before dying as to my child.” Bengel notes that he only thought Jesus had power before death as even Martha and Mary felt at first (John 11:21; John 11:32). But the father’s heart goes out to Jesus.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “The nobleman saith unto him, Sir,” (legei pros auton ho basilikos kurie) “The kingly courtier said to him, Lord, Master, or Sir:” He came directly to Jesus for compassionate help, and no such request for healing was ever turned away by our Lord; It was a respectful, earnest, humble prayer appeal from a man of distinction, much as our Lord prayer, Joh 11:41-42.
2) “Come down ere my child die.” (katabethi prin apothanein to paidion mou) “Come down before my child completely dies,” as he is now dying. The “come down” term indicates that Capernaum by the seaside where the nobleman’s son was critically ill, was of much lower elevation than the Cana area where he had gone to find Jesus, Joh 4:46-47. Jesus did not go down with him; He would demonstrate that His power was not restricted to His physical presence.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
49. Sir, come down, ere my child die. Since he perseveres in asking, and at length obtains what he wished, we may conclude that Christ did not reprove him in such a manner as if he intended altogether to reject him, and refused his prayers; but that he rather did so for the purpose of correcting that fault which obstructed the entrance of true faith. And we ought to remember — what I have formerly stated — that this was a general reproof of a whole people, and was not peculiarly addressed to one individual. In this manner, whatever is improper, or distorted, or superfluous, in our prayers, must be corrected or removed, that dangerous obstructions may be taken out of the way. Now courtiers are usually fastidious and haughty, and do not willingly submit to be treated with harshness; but it deserves notice, that this man, humbled by his necessitous case, and by the dread of losing his son, does not burst into a passion, or murmur, when Christ speaks to him roughly, but passes by that reproof in modest silence. We find the same things in ourselves; for we are astonishingly delicate, impatient, and fretful until, subdued by adversities, we are constrained to lay aside our pride and disdain.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(49) Ere my child die.But human sorrow is the birth-pang of faith. The sense of utter powerlessness leads the soul to cast itself on the Strong One for strength. The faith is still weak, but it is there. It does not realise that Christ can speak the word and heal the child, but it does feel that His presence could save him, and pleads as a father for his son. Come down, ere my child die.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
49. Ere my child die He cannot stop to answer the rebuke, to argue the case, or defend his character. It is his son alone that fills his thoughts. That deep affection will, however, prove a spring to his faith. He will acknowledge his child’s Saviour to be divine.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘The high official says to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies”.’
Again the official pleaded with Him. ‘Come down before my child dies’. It was the cry of a father’s heart. He would not argue the point or excuse himself. He longed only that his son be healed, and he was confident that Jesus could do it. His simplicity confirmed his faith. He was not a wonder-seeker. He was a heartbroken father.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Joh 4:49-50. The nobleman saith unto him, &c. Weak as his faith was, the nobleman urged only parental affection, determined to press the matter to the utmost; and therefore, without any explication or apology respecting our Lord’s reproof, he entreats him to come down ere his child die; urging that the case was so extreme, that a delay might be attended with the most fatal consequences; but not having an idea that Christ, as the Lord of life as well as of health, could as easily remedy those consequences, as heal his son. Jesus, upon this,fully to convince the nobleman of his omnipotence, and to shew that it was not necessary for him, who could speak, and it was done, to go in person to accomplish the cure,says to him, “Go thy way home; thy son liveth; at the instant I am speaking to thee, he is recovered from his illness.” There is something remarkable and sublimely striking in our Lord’s words: No doubt they had their influence upon this man’s heart; for we read, that he believed the word which Jesus spoke, and went away without any further importunity, though he had never seen or heard of a parallel case. It is indeed plain, that he had heard of Christ’s miracles; but this is the first recorded in which he cured the patient at a distance.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Joh 4:49-50 . Then follows a still more urgent entreaty of the father’s love, tried by the answer of Jesus; the , my child , being in keeping with the father’s tender affection. Comp. Mar 5:23 .
Jesus rewards his confidence with the short answer, Go thy way, thy son liveth; thus announcing the deliverance from death accomplished at that very moment by an act of His will through miraculous power operating at a distance (not by magnetic healing power , against Olshausen, Krabbe, Kern, thus resorting to a sphere as foreign to the miracles of healing as it is inadequate by way of an explanation). As little can Christ’s word be regarded as a medical prognosticon (Paulus, comp. Ammon). No more is there any trace in the text of an effect resulting from faith in general, and the spiritual movement of the masses (Weizscker). According to the text, Jesus speaks from a conscious knowledge of the crisis of the sickness, effected that moment at a distance by Himself: “Thy son is not dead, but liveth!”
. ] Thus he now overleaps the limit of faith which supposed Christ’s presence necessary to the working of the cure; he believed the word, i.e . had confidence in its realization.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
DISCOURSE: 1623
THE NOBLEMANS SON CURED
Joh 4:49-51. The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.
IF the rebukes of God be in one view tokens of his displeasure, they certainly in another view are expressions of his regard, and have frequently been forerunners of peculiar mercy. The Canaanitish woman was frowned upon, as it were, by our Lord, as utterly unworthy to taste the childrens bread; yet was immediately afterwards admitted to a participation of it. Thus the nobleman, who now addressed him, received a reprimand for his backwardness to believe; but was nevertheless favoured instantly with an answer suited to his wish.
The circumstances related in the text lead us to observe,
I.
That weak and strong faith differ widely in their effects
This is particularly discoverable in the history before us
[The noblemans faith, though weak, induced him to take a considerable journey that he might find Jesus, and brought him to apply to Jesus with much humility and respect. Yet he could not refrain from limiting the power of Jesus, and prescribing to him the time and manner in which his request should be granted. And because his petition was not granted at first, he grew impatient, and intimated his apprehensions, that, if the relief were not instantly afforded, it would soon be too late even for Jesus himself to interfere. But when his faith was strengthened by the word and Spirit of Christ, the tumult in his mind subsided, the irritation yielded to composure, and his apprehensions were banished by a firm expectation that the promised blessing should be given. Though he saw no change with his eyes, yet he doubted not but that a change had taken place; and he left it to Jesus to accomplish his own word in his own way.]
Such are the various effects produced in us also by a similar cause
[The weakest faith, if truly sincere, will bring us to Jesus with reverence and humility; and will make us urgent with him to bestow upon us his benefits. Nor shall we regard any trouble in seeking him, provided we at last obtain the desired blessings: but if our hope be deferred, it will make our heart sick. We shall become impatient, if the pardon which we seek be not instantly sealed upon our consciences, or the victory we solicit be suspended for a while in dubious conflict. We shall be ready to dictate to Jesus both the time and manner of his interference, and to limit his powers according to our own narrow apprehensions of them. When our faith is strengthened, we shall rest more simply on his declarations and promises. We shall not, like Zacharias, want a sign to confirm them, or, like Rebekah, use sinful means of hastening their accomplishment [Note: Luk 1:18. Compare Gen 25:23; Gen 27:8-10.]. We shall be willing to let him work in his own way. Though we see not his word yet accomplished, nor know in what way it shall be fulfilled, yet we shall be satisfied, and content to wait till he shall clear up to us what is dark and intricate [Note: Isa 28:16.]. Our expectation will be patient, and our confidence in him assured. Like Abraham, we shall not stagger at his promises, but give him the glory of his faithfulness and omnipotence [Note: Rom 4:20.].]
Nor does God fail to distinguish these different degrees of faith by different tokens of his approbation. This will appear while we observe,
II.
The more we exercise faith, the more evidence of its efficacy and acceptance will God vouchsafe unto us
The experience of the nobleman well illustrates this truth
[His faith while it was yet weak, prevailed for the obtaining of the mercy he desired. Jesus kindly overlooked his impatience, and granted him even more than he had asked. This was a rich reward of faith. But when the nobleman returned home in full expectation of finding every thing true which Jesus had declared, his faith received a yet stronger confirmation from the account which the servants gave him; and the more minutely he inquired into the circumstances of his sons recovery, the more fully was he convinced that it had been effected by the invisible agency of the Lord Jesus. By this was his faith yet more abundantly confirmed, insomuch that both he and all his family became Disciples of Jesus [Note: ver. 52, 53.].]
The same may be traced in the experience of all believers
[The smallest degree of true faith will surely bring them the pardon of their sins, and whatever is absolutely needful for their salvation. If their faith be only as a grain of mustard-seed, it shall remove mountains: but, if they be strong in faith, they shall see the glory of God in a far more conspicuous manner [Note: Joh 11:40.]. They may not indeed immediately see God, as it were, in the act of working; but they shall see frequent reason to exclaim, What hath God wrought! When they come to compare events with the promises of God, they will be constrained to acknowledge and adore his good providence. They will see how indebted they have been to his gracious interposition for many deliverances from danger, supports in trouble, and victories in their spiritual warfare. They may indeed, like Joshua himself, be so stumbled for a moment by some dark dispensation, that they shall almost doubt whether they have not been under a delusion [Note: Jos 7:6-9.]. But like him, they shall be enabled to look back for a series of years, to recount the mercies of the Lord, and to bear testimony to his unalterable truth and faithfulness [Note: Jos 23:14.]. Upon a review of their lives, they shall have as clear evidences of a divine interposition in their favour, as if they had seen a miracle wrought before their eyes. Nor shall they hesitate to declare with the holy Apostle, He that hath wrought us to the self-same thing is God [Note: 2Co 5:5.].]
To improve this subject, we would suggest some suitable advice
1.
Let all personal or domestic troubles lead us to Jesus
[We are born to trouble as the sparks fly upward. None are exempt from it in this vale of tears. The nobleman is as much exposed to it as the beggar; but God sends it for good. He sends us adversity that we may be led to consideration; and many have found cause to bless him for their troubles. Many must say, Before I was afflicted I went astray; It is good for me that I have been afflicted. Hear then the rod, and him that hath appointed it. Its voice to us is, Seek ye the Lord while he maybe found; turn ye, turn ye, why will ye die. Improve afflictions thus, and you will be thankful for them to all eternity. What a mercy in the issue did the sickness of the noblemans son prove both to the nobleman and all his family! And most assuredly, if your troubles should prove the means of bringing you to an acquaintance with Jesus, and an experience of his grace, you will never regret the means by which the mercy was conferred upon you.]
2.
Let us never prescribe to Jesus, or limit the power of his grace
[The Lord knows best how to deal with his people. He went to the Centurions house because he was both humble and believing; but refused to go to the noblemans, that he might more effectually correct his pride and unbelief. Thus he may pursue various methods with us; but he will act in all things with consummate wisdom. He will abound towards us in all wisdom and prudence. Let us then commit ourselves to him, saying, when thou wilt, and what thou wilt, and as thou wilt. In this way we shall have our minds composed, and our thoughts established. And though he may lead us, as he did the Israelites, by a very tedious and circuitous path, yet we shall find at last that it was the right way [Note: Psa 107:7.].]
3.
Let every fresh discovery of his mercy make us more solicitous to bring others to him
[The nobleman doubtless related to his family all that Jesus had spoken to him; and was instrumental in bringing all his family to believe in him. And shall not we make this improvement of his mercies vouchsafed to us? Shall we not exhort those, over whom we have influence, to trust in his word? Surely if we express a concern for their bodily welfare, we should be no less solicitous for the salvation of their souls. And if we have found the benefit of believing in him ourselves, we should labour that all around us may be partakers of that benefit. By telling of his goodness we shall pay him that tribute which he expects at our hands, and anticipate that employment in which we hope to be occupied to all eternity.]
Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
49 The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.
Ver. 49. Sir, come down ] He fumes not at reproof (as many great ones would have done, Tange montes, et fumigabunt ), but “suffers the word of exhortation,”Heb 13:22Heb 13:22 , being subdued thereunto by affliction.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
49. ] Here is the same weakness of faith, but our Lord’s last words have made visible impression. It is like the Syrophnician woman’s rejoinder, ‘Yea, Lord; but ,’ only the faith is of a far less noble kind than hers. He seems to believe it necessary that Jesus should be on the spot; not that there was any thing strange or blameable in this, for Martha and Mary did the same, ch. Joh 11:21 ; Joh 11:32 : and to think that it would be too late when his child had expired; not imagining that He to whom he spoke could raise the dead .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
ere = before. See note on Mat 1:18.
child. Greek. paidion. App-108.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
49.] Here is the same weakness of faith,-but our Lords last words have made visible impression. It is like the Syrophnician womans rejoinder,-Yea, Lord; but , only the faith is of a far less noble kind than hers. He seems to believe it necessary that Jesus should be on the spot;-not that there was any thing strange or blameable in this, for Martha and Mary did the same, ch. Joh 11:21; Joh 11:32 :-and to think that it would be too late when his child had expired;-not imagining that He to whom he spoke could raise the dead.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Joh 4:49. , come down) The weakness of the suppliant is twofold, as though the Lord had need to he present, and could not equally revive the dead. And yet even before that the parent went down, his son was restored to life.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Joh 4:49
Joh 4:49
The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.-The earnestness of his entreaty and the anxiety for his son showed the sincerity and nobility of his faith.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
come: Psa 40:17, Psa 88:10-12, Mar 5:23, Mar 5:35, Mar 5:36
Reciprocal: Joh 11:32 – if
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
9
The nobleman was already satisfied about the ability of Jesus to work miracles. Of course Jesus knew his mind, but it is the Lord’s will that people express their faith outwardly, and this was the way that Jesus brought forth the remark of the nobleman. It was natural for him to feel anxious, because it was his son who was seriously ill, hence he pressed his request very earnestly.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Joh 4:49. The kings officer saith unto him, Lord, come down ere my child die. The answer of Jesus, which had seemed perhaps to imply cold neglect, calls forth an impassioned appeal for pity and help; there were no moments to be lost,even now the help may come too late. Jesus was but educatingrefining and deepeninghis faith.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Vv. 49, 50. The officer says to him: Sir, come down ere my child die. 50. Jesus says to him: Go thy way, thy son liveth. And the man believed the word which Jesus had said to him, and he went his way.
The father has well understood that the remark of Jesus is not an answer, and consequently not a refusal. He renews his request, employing the term of affection , my little child, which renders his request more touching. Jesus yields to the faith which breathes in his prayer, but in such a way as immediately to elevate the faith to a higher degree. There are at once in this answer: Go thy way, thy son liveth, a granting of the request and a partial refusal, which is a test. The healing is granted; but without Jesus leaving Cana; He wishes this time to be believed on His word. Until now the father had believed on the testimony of others. Now his faith is to rest on a better support, on the personal contact which he has just had with the Lord Himself. For the term Jesus substitutes ,son. This is the term of dignity; it exalts the worth of the child, as representing the family. The father lays hold by faith upon the promise of Jesus, that is to say, on Jesus Himself in His word; the test is sustained.
Fuente: Godet Commentary (Luke, John, Romans and 1 Corinthians)
The officer showed little interest in the reasons people did or did not believe in Jesus since his little boy (Gr. paidion) lay at death’s door. He desperately appealed again for Jesus to come to Capernaum quickly.