John 4:49

49 The little king saith to him, Lord, come down, before that my son die.

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 this had heard, that Jesus should come from Judaea into Galilee, he went to him, and prayed him, that he should come down, and heal his son; for he began to die.

48 Therefore Jesus said to him, But ye see tokens and great wonders, ye believe not.

49 The little king saith to him, Lord, come down, before that my son die.

50 Jesus saith to him, Go, thy son liveth. The man believed to the word, that Jesus said to him, and he went.

51 And now when he came down [Soothly now him coming down], the servants came to meet him, and told to him, and said [saying], That his son lived.