John 4:48
What does John 4:48 mean?
A plain-English look at John 4:48 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 4:48 means
Jesus responds to the nobleman with a seemingly sharp rebuke: "Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will in no wise believe." This statement is not a denial of healing, but a challenge to a faith that relies solely on miraculous displays. Jesus calls for a deeper belief that trusts His word and His person, rather than just the extraordinary events He performs, prompting the nobleman to move beyond a superficial faith.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Jesus therefore said unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will in no wise believe.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Jesus therefore said unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will in no wise believe.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then Jesus said to him, You will not have faith if you do not see signs and wonders.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Jesus then said unto him, `If signs and wonders ye may not see, ye will not believe.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Jesus therefore said to him: Unless you see signs and wonders, you believe not.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Jesus therefore said to him, Unless ye see signs and wonders ye will not believe.
Context
This verse contains Jesus' challenging response to the nobleman's urgent plea for healing. It immediately follows the nobleman's request in verse 47. This direct challenge probes the nature of the nobleman's faith, pushing him to move beyond a reliance on sensational signs and towards a genuine trust in Jesus Himself, creating a moment of decision for the anguished father.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Daniel 6:27
He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.
- Matthew 24:24
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
- Numbers 14:11
And Jehovah said unto Moses, How long will this people despise me? and how long will they not believe in me, for all the signs which I have wrought among them?
- 1 Corinthians 1:22
Seeing that Jews ask for signs, and Greeks seek after wisdom:
- Acts 15:12
And all the multitude kept silence; and they hearkened unto Barnabas and Paul rehearsing what signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles through them.
- John 15:24
If I had not done among them the works which none other did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.
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