John 4:48
Verse
Context
Sermons
Dai Patterson
H.J. Vine
Robert Anderson
David Servant
St. John ChrysostomSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Except ye see signs and wonders, etc. - Our Lord does not tell this man that he had no faith, but that he had not enough. If he had had none, he would not have come from Capernaum to Cana, to beg him to heal his son. If he had had enough, he would have been contented with recommending his son to our Lord, without entreating him to go to Capernaum to heal him; which intimates that he did not believe our Lord could do it at a distance. But the words are not addressed to the nobleman alone, but to all the Galilean Jews in general; for our Lord uses the plural number, which he never does when addressing an individual. These people differed widely from the people of Sychar: they had neither a love of the truth, nor simplicity of heart; and would not believe any thing from heaven, unless forced on their minds by the most striking miracles. They were favored with the ministry of John Baptist; but, as that was not accompanied with miracles, it was not generally credited. They require the miracles of Christ, in order that they may credit the advent of the Messiah. There are many like these Galileans still in the world: they deny that God can have any influence among men; and as to the operations of the Holy Spirit, they, in the genuine Galilean spirit, boldly assert that they will not credit any man who professes to be made a partaker of them, unless he work a miracle in proof of his pretensions! These persons should know that the grace of working miracles was very different from that by which a man is saved; and that the former might exist, even in the most astonishing measure, where the latter did not. See Co1 13:2.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Except ye see signs, &c.--He did believe, both as his coming and his urgent entreaty show; but how imperfectly we shall see; and our Lord would deepen his faith by such a blunt and seemingly rough answer as He made to Nicodemus.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Then said Jesus unto him,.... With some degree of roughness in his speech, and severity in his countenance, in a way of reproof for his unbelief, as if he could not heal his son without going down to Capernaum along with him: except ye see signs and wonders ye will not believe. This was the cast of the Jews every where, both in Judea and Galilee; they required signs and miracles to be wrought, in confirmation of Christ's being the Messiah, and which indeed was but right; and Christ did perform them for that purpose: but their sin of unbelief lay in this, that they wanted still more and more signs; they could not be contented with what they had seen, but required more, being sluggish and backward to believe. Our Lord seems to say this chiefly for the sake of the Galilaeans, that were about him; who, though they might be acquainted with his former miracles, when among them, of turning water into wine, and had seen his wondrous works at the feast at Jerusalem, yet were very desirous of seeing more, and perhaps very pressing for this cure.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
4:48 Jesus sharply criticized the Galileans who desired miraculous signs and wonders before they would believe (see 6:30).
John 4:48
Jesus Heals the Official’s Son
47When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Him to come down and heal his son, who was about to die.48Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will never believe.”
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Cure for Paralysis
By Dai Patterson89500:00MAT 19:26MRK 3:1MRK 4:24JHN 4:48In this sermon, the speaker tells a story about a shepherd named Mr. Jones who finds a sheep that has fallen down a ledge. Instead of immediately rescuing the sheep, Mr. Jones decides to leave it for a day or two. When questioned by others, he explains that the sheep is far too strong and needs to learn a lesson. The speaker then relates this story to the concept of faith and how God provides strength where there is weakness. The sermon emphasizes the importance of responding to God's commandments and trusting in His power.
The Unknown One
By H.J. Vine0JHN 1:10JHN 4:48JHN 6:9JHN 8:191JN 2:31JN 5:20H.J. Vine preaches about the unknown One, Jesus Christ, who knew all men and all things, yet was unrecognized by the world He created. Despite performing miraculous signs and revealing God's love and light, many remained in darkness, not recognizing Him. Jesus, the true Light, displayed His power through various acts of grace, demonstrating His authority over sickness, hunger, death, and darkness. Although rejected by some, those who believed in Him became children of God, experiencing His forgiveness, compassion, and life-transforming power.
The Silence of God
By Robert Anderson0JHN 4:48ACT 28:28ROM 16:25HEB 1:1R.A. preaches about the silence of God, emphasizing the unique truth of Grace enthroned in Christianity, lost in the era between the New Testament Canon and the Patristic theologians. The sermon delves into the mystery of why God remains silent in the face of suffering and evil, challenging the common belief that miracles are the only way to authenticate a revelation. It explores the purpose of miracles in accrediting the Person of Christ rather than His teachings, and how the transition from a Jewish to a Gentile audience in the early Church led to a decrease in miraculous events.
Day 202, John 5
By David Servant0EXO 15:26DEU 7:15JHN 4:48JHN 5:14JHN 5:29JHN 5:451CO 12:1REV 20:5David Servant preaches on the significance of God's healing power demonstrated at the Pool of Bethesda, highlighting how God mercifully performs signs to provoke belief and sometimes heals people without faith. He emphasizes that healings are gifts of the Spirit and encourages those who witness others being healed. The sermon also delves into the spiritual lesson that sin can lead to God's judgment in the form of sickness, as seen in Jesus' warning to the healed man. Ultimately, the lesson is that Jesus will one day resurrect everyone, with believers characterized by good deeds and unbelievers facing judgment based on their actions.
John 4:40-53
By St. John Chrysostom0JHN 4:48John Chrysostom preaches about the Samaritans' faith in Jesus, contrasting it with the Jews' lack of belief despite witnessing miracles. He emphasizes the importance of sincere faith and belief in Christ as the Savior of the world, regardless of signs or wonders. Chrysostom highlights the nobleman's journey from doubt to strong faith in Jesus' healing power, showcasing the transformative nature of encountering Christ's miracles and teachings.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Except ye see signs and wonders, etc. - Our Lord does not tell this man that he had no faith, but that he had not enough. If he had had none, he would not have come from Capernaum to Cana, to beg him to heal his son. If he had had enough, he would have been contented with recommending his son to our Lord, without entreating him to go to Capernaum to heal him; which intimates that he did not believe our Lord could do it at a distance. But the words are not addressed to the nobleman alone, but to all the Galilean Jews in general; for our Lord uses the plural number, which he never does when addressing an individual. These people differed widely from the people of Sychar: they had neither a love of the truth, nor simplicity of heart; and would not believe any thing from heaven, unless forced on their minds by the most striking miracles. They were favored with the ministry of John Baptist; but, as that was not accompanied with miracles, it was not generally credited. They require the miracles of Christ, in order that they may credit the advent of the Messiah. There are many like these Galileans still in the world: they deny that God can have any influence among men; and as to the operations of the Holy Spirit, they, in the genuine Galilean spirit, boldly assert that they will not credit any man who professes to be made a partaker of them, unless he work a miracle in proof of his pretensions! These persons should know that the grace of working miracles was very different from that by which a man is saved; and that the former might exist, even in the most astonishing measure, where the latter did not. See Co1 13:2.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Except ye see signs, &c.--He did believe, both as his coming and his urgent entreaty show; but how imperfectly we shall see; and our Lord would deepen his faith by such a blunt and seemingly rough answer as He made to Nicodemus.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Then said Jesus unto him,.... With some degree of roughness in his speech, and severity in his countenance, in a way of reproof for his unbelief, as if he could not heal his son without going down to Capernaum along with him: except ye see signs and wonders ye will not believe. This was the cast of the Jews every where, both in Judea and Galilee; they required signs and miracles to be wrought, in confirmation of Christ's being the Messiah, and which indeed was but right; and Christ did perform them for that purpose: but their sin of unbelief lay in this, that they wanted still more and more signs; they could not be contented with what they had seen, but required more, being sluggish and backward to believe. Our Lord seems to say this chiefly for the sake of the Galilaeans, that were about him; who, though they might be acquainted with his former miracles, when among them, of turning water into wine, and had seen his wondrous works at the feast at Jerusalem, yet were very desirous of seeing more, and perhaps very pressing for this cure.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
4:48 Jesus sharply criticized the Galileans who desired miraculous signs and wonders before they would believe (see 6:30).