43 And after the two days he went on from there into Galilee. 44 For Jesus himself said that a prophet has no honour in the country of his birth. 45 So when he came into Galilee, the Galilaeans took him to their hearts because of the things which they had seen him do in Jerusalem at the feast—they themselves having been there at the feast. 46 So he came to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And there was a certain man of high position whose son was ill at Capernaum. 47 When it came to his ears that Jesus had come from Judaea into Galilee, he went to him and made a request that he would come down to his son, who was near to death, and make him well. 48 Then Jesus said to him, You will not have faith if you do not see signs and wonders. 49 The man said, Sir, come down before my boy is dead. 50 And Jesus said, Go in peace; your son is living. The man had faith in the word which Jesus said to him and went away. 51 And while he was going down, his servants came to him and said, Your boy is living. 52 So he put a question to them as to the hour when he became better; and they said to him, The disease went from him yesterday at the seventh hour. 53 It was clear then to the father that this was the very time at which Jesus said to him, Your son is living. And he had faith in Jesus, he and all his family. 54 Now this is the second sign which Jesus did after he had come out of Judaea into Galilee.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 4:43-54
Commentary on John 4:43-54
(Read John 4:43-54)
The father was a nobleman, yet the son was sick. Honours and titles are no security from sickness and death. The greatest men must go themselves to God, must become beggars. The nobleman did not stop from his request till he prevailed. But at first he discovered the weakness of his faith in the power of Christ. It is hard to persuade ourselves that distance of time and place, are no hinderance to the knowledge, mercy, and power of our Lord Jesus. Christ gave an answer of peace. Christ's saying that the soul lives, makes it alive. The father went his way, which showed the sincerity of his faith. Being satisfied, he did not hurry home that night, but returned as one easy in his own mind. His servants met him with the news of the child's recovery. Good news will meet those that hope in God's word. Diligent comparing the works of Jesus with his word, will confirm our faith. And the bringing the cure to the family brought salvation to it. Thus an experience of the power of one word of Christ, may settle the authority of Christ in the soul. The whole family believed likewise. The miracle made Jesus dear to them. The knowledge of Christ still spreads through families, and men find health and salvation to their souls.