John 4:49

49 The officer said, "Sir, come before my child dies."

John 4:49 Meaning and Commentary

John 4:49

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.

John 4:49 In-Context

47 When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to Jesus and begged him to come to Capernaum and heal his son, because his son was almost dead.

48 Jesus said to him, "You people must see signs and miracles before you will believe in me."

49 The officer said, "Sir, come before my child dies."

50 Jesus answered, "Go. Your son will live." The man believed what Jesus told him and went home.

51 On the way the man's servants came and met him and told him, "Your son is alive."