The Meaning of John 4:46 Explained

John 4:46

KJV: So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.

YLT: Jesus came, therefore, again to Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine, and there was a certain courtier, whose son was ailing in Capernaum,

Darby: He came therefore again to Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain courtier in Capernaum whose son was sick.

ASV: He 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.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

So  Jesus  came  again  into  Cana  of Galilee,  where  he made  the water  wine.  And  there was  a certain  nobleman,  whose  son  was sick  at  Capernaum. 

What does John 4:46 Mean?

Study Notes

nobleman
Or, courtier, or, ruler.

Verse Meaning

John"s reference to Cana and the first miracle seems intended to remind the reader of that event and to suggest the completion of a cycle. John did not reveal the reason Jesus returned there. The royal official (Gr. basilikos) was by his title a man who served a king, in either a civil or a military capacity. [1] This was probably Herod Antipas in view of where he lived. Antipas was not an official king, but the people popularly regarded him as one (cf. Mark 6:14). This official was probably Jewish ( John 4:48). Whether he was the Chuza who was Herod"s steward, mentioned in Luke 8:3, remains a mystery. Jesus also healed the servant of a Gentile centurion in Capernaum ( Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:2-10), but that was a different individual and a different occasion. An important feature of this sign was the distance between Jesus" location, in Cana, and where the official"s son lay ill, in Capernaum.

Context Summary

John 4:46-54 - The Reward Of Trusting Jesus' Word
The particular interest of this beautiful incident is in John 4:50. The father had such faith in our Lord's promise that he started off at once on his homeward journey, needing no further assurance that all was well. It would appear, indeed, that he went to some inn or caravansary on his way back, because there would have been ample time between the seventh hour (one o'clock in the day) and nightfall to get from Cana down to Capernaum. Why should he hasten! The boy was living, doing well, since the Master had said so. He was sure of it and thanked God for it and gladly took the opportunity of a quiet night's rest, to sleep off the effects of long watching, intense anxiety, and the swift journey to Cana. When his servants met him with the news that the boy was healed, he inquired at what hour the change had taken place, merely to corroborate his own conclusions. What a happy family that was! This nobleman may have been Chuza, Herod's steward, Luke 8:3, or Manaen, Herod's foster-brother, Acts 13:1. Why should we not have the same simple faith in the word of God's promise! [source]

Chapter Summary: John 4

1  Jesus talks with a woman of Samaria, and reveals his identity to her
27  His disciples marvel
31  He declares to them his zeal for God's glory
39  Many Samaritans believe on him
43  He departs into Galilee, and heals the ruler's son that lay sick at Capernaum

Greek Commentary for John 4:46

Again [παλιν]
A second time. Unto Cana Note article, “the Cana of Galilee” already mentioned in John 2:1. Where he made the water wine That outstanding first miracle would still be remembered in Cana and would indicate that Jesus had some friends there. Nobleman One connected with the king Imperfect active of αστενεω — astheneō Some miles from Cana near where the Jordan enters the Sea of Galilee. [source]
Jesus []
The best texts omit. [source]
Cana [τὴν Κανᾶ]
Note the article the Cana, and see on John 2:1. The article defines the Cana previously referred to. [source]
Nobleman [βασιλικὸς]
Properly an adjective, meaning royal, from βασιλεὺς , king. It occurs in John only, here and John 4:49; and in all other passages is used as an adjective (Acts 12:20, Acts 12:21; James 2:8). Literally here, a king's officer. Wyc, little King. [source]
Was sick [ἠσθένει]
See on infirmities, Luke 5:15. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 4:46

Luke 8:3 Joanna [Ιωανα]
Her husband Χυζα — Chuzā steward (επιτροπου — epitropou) of Herod, is held by some to be the nobleman (βασιλικος — basilikos) of John 4:46-53 who believed and all his house. At any rate Christ had a follower from the household of Herod Antipas who had such curiosity to see and hear him. One may recall also Manaen (Acts 13:1), Herod‘s foster brother. Joanna is mentioned again with Mary Magdalene in Luke 24:10. [source]
John 4:44 For - in His own country [γὰρ - ἐν τῇ ἰδίᾳ πατρίδι]
For assigns the reason why Jesus went into Galilee. By His own country, Judaea seems to be meant, though almost the same phrase, His country, is used by the three Synoptists of Nazareth in Galilee. John's Gospel, however, deals with the Judaean rather than with the Galilean ministry of Jesus, and the phrase, His own country, is appropriate to Judaea as “the true home and fatherland of the prophets, the land which contained the city of Messiah's birth, the city associated with Him alike in ancient prophecy and in popular expectation.” Hence, at Jerusalem, the people said, “Hath not the Scriptures said that Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was” (John 7:42)? In John 4:1-3it is stated that Jesus left Judaea because of a controversy excited by the Pharisees, whom John always marks as the leaders of the opposition to Jesus. Further, we are told that at Jerusalem, though many believed on His name, yet Jesus did not trust them (John 2:23, John 2:24). According to this explanation, γὰρ , for is used in its natural and most obvious sense as assigning the reason for Christ's departure into Galilee. The proverb is naturally suggested by the reference to Galilee, where Jesus had used it at Nazareth (see Matthew 13:57). The ὅτε οὖν whenthen (then indicating logical sequence and not time) of John 4:45follows naturally upon the citation of the proverb, signifying a correspondence between the character of His reception in Galilee and the motive of His going thither. Finally, if we understand by His own country, Nazareth, we are compelled to explain γὰρ , for, from John 4:46; Jesus went to Cana (north of Nazareth) without passing through His native place, for the reason mentioned. This seems forced and arbitrary. [source]
John 1:12 Believe on [πιστευούσιν εἰς]
The present participle, believing, indicates the present and continuous activity of faith. The word is used by John, sometimes with the dative case simply meaning to believe a person or thing; i.e., to believe that they are true or speak the truth. Thus, to believe the Scripture (John 2:22); believe me (John 4:21); believe Moses, his writings, my words (John 4:46). At other times with a preposition, εἰς , into, which is rendered believe in, or believe on. So here, John 6:29; John 8:30; 1 John 5:10. See the two contrasted in John 6:29, John 6:30; John 8:30, John 8:31; 1 John 5:10. To believe in, or on, is more than mere acceptance of a statement. It is so to accept a statement or a person as to rest upon them, to trust them practically; to draw upon and avail one's self of all that is offered to him in them. Hence to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ is not merely to believe the facts of His historic life or of His saving energy as facts, but to accept Him as Savior, Teacher, Sympathizer, Judge; to rest the soul upon Him for present and future salvation, and to accept and adopt His precepts and example as binding upon the life. [source]
John 2:1 The third day [τηι ημεραι τηι τριτηι]
“On the day the third” (locative case), from the start to Galilee when Philip was found (John 1:43), seven days since John 1:19. There was a marriage “A wedding (or marriage festival) took place.” See Matthew 22:8. In Cana of Galilee This town, the home of Nathanael (John 21:2), is only mentioned again in John 4:46 as the home of the nobleman. There was a Cana in Coele-Syria. It is usually located at Kefr Kenna (3-1/2 miles from Nazareth), though Ain Kana and Khirbet Kana are also possible. Bernard thinks that it was probably on Wednesday afternoon the fourth day of the week (usual day for marriage of virgins), when the party of Jesus arrived. And the mother of Jesus was there When they arrived. John does not mention her name, probably because already well known in the Synoptics. Probably Joseph was already dead. Mary may have been kin to the family where the wedding took place, an intimate friend clearly. [source]
James 2:8 If ye fulfil [ει τελειτε]
Condition of first class, assumed as true with ει — ei and present active indicative of τελεω — teleō old verb, to bring to completion, occurring in Romans 2:27 also with νομος — nomos (law). Jesus used πληροω — plēroō in Matthew 4:17. James has τηρεω — tēreō in James 2:10.The royal law (νομον βασιλικον — nomon basilikon). Old adjective for royal, regal (from βασιλευς — basileus king), as of an officer (John 4:46). But why applied to νομος — nomos The Romans had a phrase, lex regia, which came from the king when they had kings. The absence of the article is common with νομος — nomos (James 4:11). It can mean a law fit to guide a king, or such as a king would choose, or even the king of laws. Jesus had said that on the law of love hang all the law and the prophets (Matthew 22:40), and he had given the Golden Rule as the substance of the Law and the prophets (Matthew 7:12). This is probably the royal law which is violated by partiality (James 2:3). It is in accord with the Scripture quoted here (Leviticus 19:18) and ratified by Jesus (Luke 10:28). [source]
James 2:8 The royal law [νομον βασιλικον]
Old adjective for royal, regal (from βασιλευς — basileus king), as of an officer (John 4:46). But why applied to νομος — nomos The Romans had a phrase, lex regia, which came from the king when they had kings. The absence of the article is common with νομος — nomos (James 4:11). It can mean a law fit to guide a king, or such as a king would choose, or even the king of laws. Jesus had said that on the law of love hang all the law and the prophets (Matthew 22:40), and he had given the Golden Rule as the substance of the Law and the prophets (Matthew 7:12). This is probably the royal law which is violated by partiality (James 2:3). It is in accord with the Scripture quoted here (Leviticus 19:18) and ratified by Jesus (Luke 10:28). [source]

What do the individual words in John 4:46 mean?

He came therefore again to - Cana - of Galilee where He had made the water wine And there was a certain royal official whose - son was sick in Capernaum
Ἦλθεν οὖν πάλιν εἰς τὴν Κανὰ τῆς Γαλιλαίας ὅπου ἐποίησεν τὸ ὕδωρ οἶνον Καὶ ἦν τις βασιλικὸς οὗ υἱὸς ἠσθένει ἐν Καφαρναούμ

Ἦλθεν  He  came 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἔρχομαι  
Sense: to come.
πάλιν  again 
Parse: Adverb
Root: πάλιν  
Sense: anew, again.
τὴν  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Κανὰ  Cana 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: Κανά  
Sense: a village in Galilee about 5 miles (8 km) NW from Nazareth.
τῆς  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Γαλιλαίας  of  Galilee 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: Γαλιλαία  
Sense: the name of a region of northern Palestine, bounded on the north by Syria, on the west by Sidon, Tyre, Ptolemais and their territories and the promontory of Carmel, on the south by Samaria and on the east by the Jordan.
ὅπου  where 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ὅπου  
Sense: where, whereas.
ἐποίησεν  He  had  made 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ποιέω  
Sense: to make.
ὕδωρ  water 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: ὕδωρ  
Sense: water.
οἶνον  wine 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: οἶνος  
Sense: wine.
ἦν  there  was 
Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
τις  a  certain 
Parse: Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: τὶς  
Sense: a certain, a certain one.
βασιλικὸς  royal  official 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: βασιλικός 
Sense: of or belong to a king, kingly, royal, regal.
οὗ  whose 
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: ὅς 
Sense: who, which, what, that.
  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
υἱὸς  son 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: υἱός  
Sense: a son.
ἠσθένει  was  sick 
Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἀσθενέω  
Sense: to be weak, feeble, to be without strength, powerless.
Καφαρναούμ  Capernaum 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: Καπερναούμ 
Sense: a flourishing city of Galilee situated on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee or Lake of Gennesaret, near the place where the Jordan flows into the lake.