The officer showed little interest in the reasons people did or did not believe in Jesus since his little boy (Gr. paidion) lay at death"s door. He desperately appealed again for Jesus to come to Capernaum quickly. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
John 4:46-54 - The Reward Of Trusting Jesus' Word
The particular interest of this beautiful incident is in John 4:50. The father had such faith in our Lord's promise that he started off at once on his homeward journey, needing no further assurance that all was well. It would appear, indeed, that he went to some inn or caravansary on his way back, because there would have been ample time between the seventh hour (one o'clock in the day) and nightfall to get from Cana down to Capernaum. Why should he hasten! The boy was living, doing well, since the Master had said so. He was sure of it and thanked God for it and gladly took the opportunity of a quiet night's rest, to sleep off the effects of long watching, intense anxiety, and the swift journey to Cana. When his servants met him with the news that the boy was healed, he inquired at what hour the change had taken place, merely to corroborate his own conclusions. What a happy family that was! This nobleman may have been Chuza, Herod's steward, Luke 8:3, or Manaen, Herod's foster-brother, Acts 13:1. Why should we not have the same simple faith in the word of God's promise! [source]
Chapter Summary: John 4
1Jesus talks with a woman of Samaria, and reveals his identity to her 27His disciples marvel 31He declares to them his zeal for God's glory 39Many Samaritans believe on him 43He departs into Galilee, and heals the ruler's son that lay sick at Capernaum
Greek Commentary for John 4:49
Sir [Κυριε] See John 1:38. Come down Second aorist active imperative, tense and tone of urgency. Ερε μψ χιλδ διε Ere my child die Regular idiom with πριν prin in positive clause, second aorist active infinitive of αποτνησκω apothnēskō and accusative of general reference, “before dying as to my child.” Bengel notes that he only thought Jesus had power before death as even Martha and Mary felt at first (John 11:21,John 11:32). But the father‘s heart goes out to Jesus. [source]
Child [παιδίον] Diminutive. Literally, my little one; a touch of tenderness. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 4:49
John 4:46Nobleman [βασιλικὸς] Properly an adjective, meaning royal, from βασιλεὺς , king. It occurs in John only, here and John 4:49; and in all other passages is used as an adjective (Acts 12:20,Acts 12:21; James 2:8). Literally here, a king's officer. Wyc, little King. [source]
John 1:38Turned [στραπεις] Second aorist passive participle of στρεπω strephō vividly picturing the sudden act of Jesus on hearing their steps behind him. Beheld First aorist middle participle of τεαομαι theaomai (John 1:32). Both participles here express antecedent action to λεγει legei (saith). Following Present active participle of ακολουτεω akoloutheō (John 1:37). It was Christ‘s first experience of this kind and the two came from the Baptist to Jesus. What seek ye? Not “whom” Aramaic title for “Teacher” which John here translates by Διδασκαλε Didaskale as he is writing late and for general readers. Luke, a Greek Christian, does not use it, but John recalls his first use of this term to Jesus and explains it. Matthew has it only in the greeting of Judas to the Master (Matthew 26:25,Matthew 26:49) and Mark once by Judas (Mark 14:45) and twice by Peter (Mark 9:5; Mark 11:21). John‘s Gospel has the disciples at first addressing Jesus by Rabbi while others address him by Κυριε Kurie (Lord or Sir) as in John 4:11,John 4:49; John 5:7. Peter uses Κυριε Kurie in John 6:68. In the end the disciples usually say Κυριε Kurie (John 13:6,John 13:25, etc.), but Mary Magdalene says αββουνει Rabbounei (John 20:16). Being interpreted Present passive participle of μετερμηνευω methermēneuō late compound of μετα meta and ερμηνευω hermēneuō to explain (John 1:42), old word from ερμες Hermes the god of speech (hermeneutics). John often explains Aramaic words (John 1:38,John 1:41,John 1:42; John 4:25; John 9:7, etc.). Where abidest thou? They wished a place for quiet converse with Jesus. [source]
John 4:51As he was now going down [ηδη αυτου καταβαινοντος] Genitive absolute inspite of the fact that αυτωι autōi (associative instrumental case with υπηντησαν hupēntēsan aorist active indicative of υπανταω hupantaō) is near. That his son lived Present active indicative preserved in indirect discourse (cf. the words of Jesus in John 4:50). Note παις pais here (only example in John), υιος huios in John 4:50, παιδιον paidion (diminutive of tenderness) in John 4:49. [source]
What do the individual words in John 4:49 mean?
SaystoHimtheroyal officialSircome downbeforediesthechildof me
Greek Commentary for John 4:49
See John 1:38. Come down Second aorist active imperative, tense and tone of urgency. Ερε μψ χιλδ διε Ere my child die Regular idiom with πριν prin in positive clause, second aorist active infinitive of αποτνησκω apothnēskō and accusative of general reference, “before dying as to my child.” Bengel notes that he only thought Jesus had power before death as even Martha and Mary felt at first (John 11:21, John 11:32). But the father‘s heart goes out to Jesus. [source]
Diminutive. Literally, my little one; a touch of tenderness. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 4:49
Properly an adjective, meaning royal, from βασιλεὺς , king. It occurs in John only, here and John 4:49; and in all other passages is used as an adjective (Acts 12:20, Acts 12:21; James 2:8). Literally here, a king's officer. Wyc, little King. [source]
Second aorist passive participle of στρεπω strephō vividly picturing the sudden act of Jesus on hearing their steps behind him. Beheld First aorist middle participle of τεαομαι theaomai (John 1:32). Both participles here express antecedent action to λεγει legei (saith). Following Present active participle of ακολουτεω akoloutheō (John 1:37). It was Christ‘s first experience of this kind and the two came from the Baptist to Jesus. What seek ye? Not “whom” Aramaic title for “Teacher” which John here translates by Διδασκαλε Didaskale as he is writing late and for general readers. Luke, a Greek Christian, does not use it, but John recalls his first use of this term to Jesus and explains it. Matthew has it only in the greeting of Judas to the Master (Matthew 26:25, Matthew 26:49) and Mark once by Judas (Mark 14:45) and twice by Peter (Mark 9:5; Mark 11:21). John‘s Gospel has the disciples at first addressing Jesus by Rabbi while others address him by Κυριε Kurie (Lord or Sir) as in John 4:11, John 4:49; John 5:7. Peter uses Κυριε Kurie in John 6:68. In the end the disciples usually say Κυριε Kurie (John 13:6, John 13:25, etc.), but Mary Magdalene says αββουνει Rabbounei (John 20:16). Being interpreted Present passive participle of μετερμηνευω methermēneuō late compound of μετα meta and ερμηνευω hermēneuō to explain (John 1:42), old word from ερμες Hermes the god of speech (hermeneutics). John often explains Aramaic words (John 1:38, John 1:41, John 1:42; John 4:25; John 9:7, etc.). Where abidest thou? They wished a place for quiet converse with Jesus. [source]
Genitive absolute inspite of the fact that αυτωι autōi (associative instrumental case with υπηντησαν hupēntēsan aorist active indicative of υπανταω hupantaō) is near. That his son lived Present active indicative preserved in indirect discourse (cf. the words of Jesus in John 4:50). Note παις pais here (only example in John), υιος huios in John 4:50, παιδιον paidion (diminutive of tenderness) in John 4:49. [source]