Skip to content

Commentaries
English
John
  
46b And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill.47When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged him to 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 not believe."49The official said to him, "Sir, come down before the child dies."50Jesus said to him, "Go; your son will live." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went his way.51As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was living.52So he asked them the hour when he began to mend, and they said to him, "Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him."53The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live." And he himself believed, and all his household.54This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee.


An important official of the king’s court came to Jesus, having heard of him and his authority. The folk of that village heard of the arrival and they said, "He is approaching the Healer to introduce him to the king."
This official had a sick son in Capernaum, on the shores of the lake. The father had tried several physicians, spending a fortune, but found no cure for his son. As a last resort he tried Jesus; could he help or not? The father wanted Jesus to leave Cana and accompany him to Capernaum, hoping by his very presence the son would be healed.
Jesus made no fuss in greeting this high official. He was sorry that the official showed a lack of faith. Jesus cannot help unless a man truly believes in his matchless person. Many pray and believe while doubting at the same time, desiring mere material aid. A true believer in the Lord relies on his word unconditionally, trusting before the help arrives.
The official was not annoyed at Jesus’ chiding, but humbled himself calling him "Sir" or "Lord," this according to the Greek, regarding himself as servant of Christ. His love for his son as well as his respect for Jesus led him again to ask Jesus to come to Capernaum, to spare his life.
At this, Jesus discerned a willingness in the official to believe in his Lordship and said, "Go, your son will live." Jesus declined to join the official and go to Capernaum, but tested the father’s love and establish his faith. Did he have confidence in Jesus’ ability to heal in spite of the distance between them and the sick boy?
In the course of the conversation the official discovered the character of Jesus and his love. He was assured that Jesus would not lie and was not mocking him. Now he believed even though he could not witness visually his son’s cure. Obeying Jesus, he started back to Capernaum. His obedient departure honored Jesus and confirmed the healing. If Jesus could heal thus my dying son, he is greater than all. Healing proves his authority and divine origin. The way back was in itself a discipline in growing trust.
Jesus had also moved the officials servants to hurry to him and announce his son’s complete cure. His anxieties vanished and he praised the Lord. Eager to be sure of the hour when the fever had left his son, he was told it was just after noon, at the very moment that Jesus had uttered the healing command and promise.
This official witnessed to his household with gratitude of the power of Christ’s love.
This miraculous event is the second sign that John records. Christ’s influence penetrated the king’s court. People eagerly looked forward to future events. Believing that faith in Christ is the worship acceptable to God who confirms this in signs and mighty acts.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, we thank you for your coming. You healed the dying lad in Capernaum though remote from your bodily presence. You led the father to a firm faith in you. Teach us to trust in your love and power. We pray for the salvation of many dead in sin and trespasses, and believe that you answer our prayers.
Question
What are the stages of growth in faith, that the official passed through?