Devine Scripture

John 4:47

What does John 4:47 mean?

A plain-English look at John 4:47 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 4:47 means

Hearing of Jesus' return to Galilee, the nobleman, a man of significant status, urgently traveled to Him. He pleaded with Jesus to come to Capernaum and heal his son, who was at the point of death. This desperate plea reveals the nobleman's anguish and his belief in Jesus' power to heal, yet it still contains an assumption that Jesus must be physically present to perform the miracle.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judæa into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son; for he was at the point of death.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judæa into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son; for he was at the point of death.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

When it came to his ears that Jesus had come from Judaea into Galilee, he went to him and made a request that he would come down to his son, who was near to death, and make him well.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

he, having heard that Jesus is come out of Judea to Galilee, went away unto him, and was asking him that he may come down and may heal his son, for he was about to die.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

He having heard that Jesus was come from Judea into Galilee, sent to him and prayed him to come down and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

He, having heard that Jesus had come out of Judaea into Galilee, went to him and asked [him] that he would come down and heal his son, for he was about to die.

Context

This verse describes the nobleman's desperate appeal to Jesus, directly following Jesus' arrival in Cana and the introduction of the nobleman's sick son. His fervent request for Jesus to come to Capernaum to heal his dying child underscores the urgency and the nobleman's initial understanding of how Jesus' power operates, setting up Jesus' challenge in the subsequent verse.

v.46He came therefore again unto Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.

v.47This passage

v.48Jesus therefore said unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will in no wise believe.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Mark 10:47

    And when he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.

  • Psalms 46:1

    God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

  • Mark 6:55

    and ran round about that whole region, and began to carry about on their beds those that were sick, where they heard he was.

  • Luke 7:6

    And Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself; for I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof:

  • John 11:21

    Martha therefore said unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

  • John 4:3

    he left Judæa, and departed again into Galilee.

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