John 4:43-54
Chapter 4
Jesus himself said that no prophet is recognized in his native place.
The Galileans welcomed him when he arrived because of all the things he had done in Jerusalem during the Festival, and they had seen it for themselves, for they, too, had gone to the feast.
Jesus Heals the Son of a Royal Official
Jesus returned to Cana of Galilee, where he had turned water into wine. In Capernaum, there was an official whose son was very sick.
When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged him to come and heal his son, who was near death.
Jesus said:
“Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe!”
The official said:
“Sir, come down before my child dies.”
Jesus replied:
“Go, your son will live!”
The man had faith in the word that Jesus spoke to him and went his way.
As he was nearing his house, his servants met him and excitedly said:
“Your son has recovered!”
He asked them when the child started to get better, and they told him:
“The fever left him yesterday, around one o’clock in the afternoon.”
The father realized that this was the very time Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live!” and he believed, along with his entire household.
Jesus performed this second sign when he returned from Judea to Galilee.
Commentaries
Jesus and the Samaritan Woman.
We should highlight the transformation of the Samaritan people in this passage, rather than focusing solely on the Samaritan woman herself. The Samaritans are descendants of pagan tribes who repopulated Samaria after Assyria conquered it. Each tribe brought its own gods, but they later worshiped the Lord, the God of Israel (2 Kgs 17:24-34). At the beginning of the story, the woman equates herself with Jesus: “You are a Jew; I am a Samaritan” (9). However, Jesus reminds her of her ignorance (10) and offers the gift of living water. The woman refers to Jesus as “Sir” twice (11:15), and by the end, she is the one asking for living water. Her request was for Jesus to make her life easier. When Jesus tells her about her five husbands—the five gods the Samaritans originally worshiped—the woman recognizes herself as a sinner and perceives him as a prophet (19). Jesus explains that worship will no longer depend on specific locations but on a person—himself, the new Temple of God—and will be in spirit and truth. This kind of worship originates from the heart, is inspired by God, and is reflected through concrete actions in life. The woman recognizes Jesus as the Messiah and becomes a messenger of the Good News. The Samaritans also come to see Jesus as the Messiah, not only for the Jews but for the whole world (42). The passage concludes with Jesus returning to Galilee and highlights the warm welcome he receives from the Samaritans, in contrast to the rejection he will face in his own land.
Jesus Heals the Son of a Royal Official.
This inspiring and timely story highlights the saving power of Jesus, even from a distance. Our Lord may be absent, but He is present in His Word. If we trust in His Word, it gives us life. Faith is essential. Those who believe in Jesus’ Word transition from death to life, not in the future, but at the very moment they believe. The Lord does not promise life later; He does not guarantee healing or continued living, but says, “your son is still alive.” This is the profound and comforting experience of the believer.