43 But after the two days he went forth thence and went away into Galilee, 44 for Jesus himself bore witness that a prophet has no honour in his own country. 45 When therefore he came into Galilee, the Galileans received him, having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem during the feast, for they also went to the feast. 46 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. 47 He, having heard that Jesus had come out of Judaea into Galilee, went to him and asked [him] that he would come down and heal his son, for he was about to die. 48 Jesus therefore said to him, Unless ye see signs and wonders ye will not believe. 49 The courtier says to him, Sir, come down ere my child die. 50 Jesus says to him, Go, thy son lives. And the man believed the word which Jesus said to him, and went his way. 51 But already, as he was going down, his servants met him and brought [him] word saying, Thy child lives. 52 He inquired therefore from them the hour at which he got better. And they said to him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. 53 The father therefore knew that [it was] in that hour in which Jesus said to him, Thy son lives; and he believed, himself and his whole house. 54 This second sign again did Jesus, being 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.