46 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. 47 When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea 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. 48 Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. 49 The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. 50 Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. 51 And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth. 52 Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. 53 So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house. 54 This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee. (John 4:46-54 KJV)
Jesus Heals an Official’s Son
Christ went to Cana of Galilee, where he had turned water into wine. He likely went to see if there were any lasting effects of that miracle and to strengthen the faith of those who had witnessed it. We should remember the works of Christ and reflect on them.
A nobleman came to Christ because his son was sick with a fever. This nobleman may have been a courtier, an official, or a supporter of Herod. Despite his status, his son was not spared from sickness, showing that titles offer no protection from disease and death. He traveled fifteen miles from Capernaum to Cana to seek Christ’s help.
When he heard Jesus was in Galilee, he went himself to ask for his son’s healing rather than sending a servant. He sincerely believed Christ could heal his son but thought he had to be physically present to do so. This was a weakness in his faith. The centurion, a Gentile, later showed greater faith by believing Christ could heal from a distance. We often limit God by our expectations.
Jesus gently rebuked him, saying, “Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” The Samaritans believed without miracles, but many Jews demanded them. This nobleman was focused on his son’s recovery and did not take offense. Instead, he persisted, saying, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” His respect for Christ and his persistence were commendable, but his faith was still weak. He thought Christ needed to be physically present and believed healing was only possible before death. However, Christ has power over both sickness and death.
Jesus said, “Go, your son lives.” This demonstrated his power to heal from a distance. The nobleman believed Christ’s word and left. His faith was now stronger—he did not insist Christ come with him. He was at peace and did not rush home, showing complete trust in Christ’s promise.
As he traveled back, his servants met him with the news that his son had recovered. He asked when it happened, and they confirmed it was at the exact hour Jesus had said, “Your son lives.” This further confirmed his faith. Comparing Christ’s words with his works strengthens our belief. The child’s sudden and complete recovery was a clear sign of divine power.
Seeing this, the nobleman and his entire household believed. This miracle not only healed the son but also brought faith to the family. The account reminds us that Christ’s words are powerful and his blessings often exceed our expectations. Also, take note of these:
First, the person who came to Christ was a nobleman. We do not often find Christ attended by nobility. “Have any of the rulers believed in him (John7:48)?” Yes; here is one. The sovereign grace of God is free, and he calls people from all ranks of society. Though not many nobles are called, some are.
Second, we see that a calamity has befell this nobleman—his son was sick and near death. Earthly greatness does not protect against afflictions. Neither wealth, power, honor, nor favor with the kings could prevent God’s hand from touching this nobleman’s family. The father suffered deeply, just as the child suffered physically.
Third, the specific reason that brought this nobleman to Christ was affliction, particularly the sickness of his child. Great is the fruit and profit of afflictions. Many, like this nobleman, do not come to Christ until they are driven by hardship. God often uses the sickness and death of loved ones—especially children—to draw people closer to himself.
Fourth, this nobleman was neither entirely faithless nor fully faithful. Had he been completely without faith, he would not have sought out Christ. But had he been fully believing, he would not have limited Christ by saying, “Come down and heal my son before he dies.” This implied that Christ could only heal in person and that his power to heal did not extend to raising the dead. “Lord, heal my son” would have been the proper request, but “Come down and heal him” was attempting to instruct Christ on how to perform the miracle. Christ, who does whatever he wills, must do it how and when he wills. Our role is to ask and receive, not to dictate.
Fifth, we see the meekness and great condescension of Jesus Christ. Despite the nobleman’s weakness of faith, Jesus responded, “Go your way; your son lives.” Worthiness in the creature is not what moves Christ to act. If we measured our hopes by our worthiness, we would have no reason to expect blessings. But if we measure them by Christ’s generosity and compassion, we have every reason for hope.
Sixth, Christ not only answered the nobleman’s request but exceeded his expectations. The man asked Jesus to come and heal his son. Christ instead said, “Go your way; your son lives.” When God does not give us what we ask, he often gives us something better. We ask for what we think is best, but God gives what he knows is best. Here, Christ gave a greater demonstration of his divine power than the man had even hoped for.
Lastly, with one word, Christ healed two people: the son of his fever and the father of his unbelief. The father had a weak faith when he first approached Christ, a stronger faith when he obeyed and returned home, and the strongest faith when he found his son healed. Then, not only he but his whole household believed.
We learn that weak faith can be true faith, but true faith always grows and increases. It is like the path of the just, shining more and more until the perfect day.