John 4:48 Themes and Topics

Then Jesus entered a boat and crossed [back] over [Lake Galilee] and came to His own city [i.e., Capernaum]. [Upon His arrival] they brought to Him a man afflicted with a paralytic disease, [being carried on his cot. See Mark 2:3]. When Jesus saw [the evidence of] their faith [i.e., the man's four friends breaking open the roof and lowering him through it. See Mark 2:4-5], He said to the paralytic, "Son, cheer up, your sins are forgiven." Seeing this, certain experts in the law of Moses said to themselves, "This man is speaking against God." read more.
Knowing what they were thinking, Jesus said, "Why are you having such evil thoughts in your minds? For which is easier, to say 'Your sins are forgiven,' or [to say] 'Get up and walk?' But in order that you may know that the Son of man has authority to forgive people's sins on earth, (then He said to the man afflicted with paralysis), 'Get up, pick up your cot and go home.'" So, the man got up and went home. But when the large crowds saw [what had happened], they were filled with deep reverence and gave honor to God for giving such authority to men. As Jesus moved on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the toll booth [i.e., collecting taxes]. He said to him, "Become my follower." And he got up and followed Him. And so it happened, as Jesus was having a meal at Matthew's house, a number of [other] tax collectors and worldly people came to sit down with Him and His disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this they said to His disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and worldly people?" When Jesus heard this, He said, "People who are healthy do not need a doctor; but [only] sick people do. Go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not [only] sacrifice.' For I did not come to call righteous people [to be my followers] but sinners." Some of John's disciples came to Jesus saying, "Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast frequently [i.e., going without food and/or drink for religious reasons], but your disciples do not fast [at all]?" Jesus said to them, "Can the groomsmen act sadly while the groom is still with them? But the time will come when the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth onto an old garment; for what was intended to cover up [the hole] actually tears away [part of] the garment [i.e., when it shrinks], causing a bigger hole. Also, people do not put freshly squeezed grape juice into bottles made of previously used animal skins. If they did, the [old dried-out] animal skins would break open and the grape juice would [all] leak out, and the animal skins would become useless. But people put freshly squeezed grape juice into newly prepared animal skin bottles. That way both of them will survive." While Jesus spoke these things, a leader [of the Jewish synagogue, named Jairus. See Mark 5:22-43] came and worshiped Him, saying, "My daughter has just died, but if you come and place your hand on her, she will live [again]." So, Jesus got up and, along with His disciples, followed the man. But just then a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years came up behind Him and touched the edge of His robe. For she had said to herself, "If I can just touch His robe, I will be healed." When Jesus turned and saw her, He said, "Take courage, daughter, your faith has made you well." And the woman was healed that [very] moment. When Jesus went into the leader [of the synagogue's] house, He saw musicians [playing a funeral dirge] and the crowd carrying on [in mournful wails]. He said, "Stand back, for the young lady is not [permanently] dead, but [rather] is sleeping." And the people laughed at Him scornfully. But after the crowd was sent outside, Jesus entered [her room, along with her parents and three of His disciples. See Mark 5:37-40] and took her by the hand, and the young lady rose up [from the dead]. And the report of this incident spread all over the district.

When Jesus and His disciples came to Capernaum, the collectors of the tax [Note: This was the annual tax used for meeting the expenses of the Temple service and consisted of two days' worth of a farm laborer's pay, or about $140 in 1994] came to Peter and said, "Does not your teacher [also] pay the [Temple] tax?" Verse Concepts

So, they went to Capernaum [Note: This was a city in Galilee that later became Jesus' headquarters while in Galilee. See verse They were amazed at His teaching for He taught them as one who had [real] authority, and not as the experts in the law of Moses. And just then there appeared in the synagogue a man dominated by an evil spirit. He shouted out, read more.
"What business do we have with you, Jesus from Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are; [you are] God's Holy One." Jesus spoke sternly to him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him." And the evil spirit caused the man to have a convulsion, then shouted with a loud voice and came out of him. And all the people [in the synagogue] were so amazed they began asking one another, "What is this, some new teaching? And it is spoken with such authority He even orders evil spirits, and they obey him." And news about Him quickly spread everywhere, [even] into all of Galilee and the surrounding regions. and 2:1], and on the [first] Sabbath day Jesus entered the synagogue and taught people. And as soon as they left the synagogue, they went into the house of Simon [i.e., Peter] and Andrew, taking James and John with them. Now Simon's mother-in-law was sick [in bed] with a fever. Immediately, Jesus was told about her [condition] so He went to her, took her by the hand and raised her up [from bed]. The fever left her and she began serving them. When evening came and the sun had set, they brought to Jesus all those who were sick and those dominated by evil spirits. And people from all over the city [of Capernaum] gathered at the door of the house, and He healed many of those who were sick with various diseases and drove out many evil spirits. But He did not permit the evil spirits to tell people [who He was], because they knew who He was [i.e., the Christ]. Very early in the morning, [even] before daylight, Jesus woke up, left Simon's house [verse 29] and went out to a deserted place where He prayed. And Simon and those who were with him [i.e., probably Andrew, James and John. See verse 29] followed Him. When they found Him, they said to Him, "Everyone is looking for you." He said to them, "Let us go on to the next towns so that I can preach there also, for this was why I came out [i.e., Jesus was sent by God to preach to other towns as well as Capernaum. See Luke 4:43]." So, Jesus went into the [Jewish] synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching [the good news about the coming kingdom, verses 14-15] and driving out evil spirits. Then a person with an infectious skin disease came to Jesus and, kneeling down before Him, begged Him, saying, "If you want to, you can heal me." [Note: Throughout this narrative the term "heal/healing" is originally "clean/cleansing" because the Jews viewed a person with such a disease as ceremonially "unclean." See Lev. 13:1-3]. And being moved with deep pity, Jesus reached out His hand, touched him and said, "I do want to; be healed." And immediately the infectious skin disease left him and he was healed. Jesus sternly warned him, sending him directly out, and saying to him, "Make sure you do not say anything to anyone. But go and show yourself to the priest and make an offering for your healing with whatever Moses ordered [Lev. 14:1-9], as evidence to people [that you were completely healed]." But [instead] the man went out telling everyone about the miracle of healing and spreading the story widely, so that Jesus was not able to enter a town publicly but had to remain outside in deserted places. [So], people went to Him there from all over the region.

And Jesus entered the synagogue again and there He met a man with a deformed hand. And the Pharisees were watching Him to see if He would heal the man on the Sabbath day, so that they could [find a reason to] accuse Him. And He said to the man whose hand was deformed, "Step forward." read more.
Then He said to the Pharisees, "Is it permissible by the law of Moses to do something good, or something harmful on the Sabbath day? To save a life or to kill it?" But they did not reply. And when He had looked around at them with righteous indignation, being grieved over their stubbornness, He said to the man, "Reach out your hand." And when he reached it out, his hand was restored [to normal use]. And the Pharisees immediately went out and conferred with the Herodians against Jesus, plotting how they could kill Him. [Note: These Herodians were members of a political party favoring King Herod]

After Jesus had finished telling the people all He had to say, He went into Capernaum. And a certain military officer's slave [was there], whom the officer highly valued. This slave was [so] sick that he was about to die. And when the officer heard about Jesus, he sent [some] Jewish elders to Him asking that He come and heal his slave. read more.
And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying, "This officer deserves that you should do this for him [i.e., heal his slave], for he loves our nation and he is the one who built the synagogue for us." So, Jesus went with them. And when He got close to the military officer's house, the officer sent [his] friends to Jesus, saying to Him [i.e., speaking on behalf of the military officer], "Sir, do not trouble yourself, for I do not deserve for you to come into my house; miles southeast of Nazareth]. His disciples and a large crowd [also] went with Him. [and] for the same reason I did not think I deserved to come to you either. So, [just] say the word and [I know] my slave will be healed. For I also am a man [who was] placed under the authority [of others], and I have soldiers [who serve] under me. I can say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another one, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my slave, 'Do this,' and he does it." And when Jesus heard these things, He was amazed and said to the crowd that was following Him, "I tell you, I have never found [anyone with] such great faith, not [even] among the Israelites." And those who were sent [i.e., the officer's friends. See verse 6] returned to the house and found the slave completely well.

Then Jesus returned again to Cana, in Galilee, where He had turned water into wine. There was a government official there whose son was sick at Capernaum [Note: Capernaum was about When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to Him and begged Him to come down [to Capernaum] and heal his son who was about to die. So, Jesus said to him, "None of you people will believe [in me] unless you see [miraculous] signs and wonders, [will you?]." read more.
The government official replied, "Sir, [please] come down [to Capernaum] before my child dies." Jesus said to him, "Go on [home]; your son will live." And the man believed what Jesus said to him and went [home]. While he was going along, his slaves met him and told him that his son was [still] alive. Then he asked them what the [exact] time was when his son began to get better. They said to him, "[It was] yesterday at seven o'clock in the morning that the fever left him." [Note: This would have been So [then], the father realized that it was at that [exact] hour that Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live." So, he and his entire family believed [in Jesus].

and got into their boat, and were crossing over [i.e., to the west side of] the lake toward Capernaum. It was dark by now and Jesus had not yet come to them. Then the water became choppy because of a strong wind that had begun to blow. And when the disciples had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the [surface of the] water. They became afraid as Jesus got closer to their boat. read more.
But He said to them, "Do not be afraid; it is I." So, they eagerly took Him into their boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading [i.e., to Capernaum, on the northwest side of the lake]. On the next day the crowd that had stayed on the other [i.e., east] side of the lake realized that there had been only one boat there. They [also] knew that Jesus was not aboard the boat when it left with the disciples in it, but that they had left without Him. (However, meanwhile, some other [small] boats had come from Tiberias [i.e., a small town on the west side of the lake] near where they had eaten bread after the Lord had given thanks). So, when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor His disciples were there [i.e., on the east side] they got into the [small] boats and sailed [west] to Capernaum, looking for Jesus. And when they found Him on the other [i.e., west] side, they said to Him, "Rabbi, how did you get here?"

Jesus said these things in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum. Verse Concepts

Then Jesus answered her, "O, woman, how great your faith is. May what you want be done for you." And her daughter was healed that very moment. Verse Concepts

Then Jesus spoke sternly to [the evil spirit in] the boy, and it left him, and he was immediately healed. Verse Concepts

And He said to her, "Because you have said this, go on your way; the evil spirit has left your daughter." And she went away to her house and found her child lying on her bed with the evil spirit gone from her.

And Jesus said to him, "'If you can.' [Note: By repeating the man's words Jesus seems to be saying, "You mean, if YOU can believe"]. Everything is possible to the person who believes [it can happen]." Immediately the father of the boy cried out, "I do believe; help me to have more faith." When Jesus saw a crowd running together [toward Him], He spoke sternly to the evil spirit [in the boy], saying to it, "You deaf-mute spirit, I order you to come out of this boy and to never return to him again." read more.
The spirit shrieked and caused violent convulsions [in the boy], then came out of him. The boy appeared to be dead, so that most of the people were saying, "He is dead." But Jesus grasped his hand and lifted him up, and he arose [fully healed].

for the official's only daughter, who was about twelve years old, was dying. As Jesus was going, large crowds pressed in on Him. Then a woman, who had been bleeding for twelve years, and who had spent all her income on doctors without being healed by any of them, came up behind Jesus and touched the edge of His robe. Immediately her bleeding stopped. read more.
Jesus said, "Who touched me?" And when everyone denied [doing it], Peter and the disciples said, "Master, many people are pressing in on you and crowding you." But Jesus replied, "Someone did touch me, for I perceived that [healing] power had gone out from me." And when the woman realized that she had not escaped notice, she came trembling [with fear] and fell down in front of Him, declaring before all the people why she had touched Him and how she had been immediately healed. Then Jesus said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace." While He was still speaking, someone came from the synagogue official's house, saying [to him], "Your daughter is dead; do not bother the Teacher." But when Jesus heard this, He said [to the man], "Do not be afraid. Just believe [i.e., in my power to restore your daughter] and she will be made well [i.e., restored to life]." And when Jesus came to the [synagogue official's] house, He did not allow anyone to enter with Him except Peter, James, John and the girl's father and mother. And all the people [in the house] were crying and beating their chests in mourning, so Jesus said [to them], "Do not cry, for the girl is not [really] dead but [only] sleeping." And they laughed at Him scornfully, knowing that she was [already] dead. But taking her by the hand, He called to her, saying, "Child, get up." And immediately her spirit returned and she stood up. Then Jesus ordered them to give her something to eat. Her parents were amazed, but Jesus ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.

Just then a man from the crowd shouted out, "Teacher, I beg you, look at my son [i.e., favorably], for he is my only child. For when an evil spirit takes hold of him he suddenly screams and [then] it throws him into convulsions so that he foams [at the mouth]. And it does not want to leave him, [even after] severely bruising him. And I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not." read more.
And Jesus replied, saying, "You perverse generation of faithless people! How long must I be [patient] with you, and put up with you [i.e., before you understand]? Bring your son here." And while the boy was approaching [Jesus], an evil spirit threw him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus spoke sternly to the evil spirit and [then] returned him to his father healed.

Then Jesus returned again to Cana, in Galilee, where He had turned water into wine. There was a government official there whose son was sick at Capernaum [Note: Capernaum was about When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to Him and begged Him to come down [to Capernaum] and heal his son who was about to die. So, Jesus said to him, "None of you people will believe [in me] unless you see [miraculous] signs and wonders, [will you?]." read more.
The government official replied, "Sir, [please] come down [to Capernaum] before my child dies." Jesus said to him, "Go on [home]; your son will live." And the man believed what Jesus said to him and went [home]. While he was going along, his slaves met him and told him that his son was [still] alive. Then he asked them what the [exact] time was when his son began to get better. They said to him, "[It was] yesterday at seven o'clock in the morning that the fever left him." [Note: This would have been So [then], the father realized that it was at that [exact] hour that Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live." So, he and his entire family believed [in Jesus]. [Now] this was the second [miraculous] sign that Jesus performed after going from Judea to Galilee.

The Pharisees and Sadducees came [and attempted] to test Jesus [by] asking Him to perform a [supernatural] sign from heaven. Verse Concepts

The Pharisees and Sadducees [i.e., these were strict sects of the Jewish religion], came out and began disputing with Jesus, asking for a [supernatural] sign from Him, [in an attempt] to test Him. Verse Concepts

Then others, trying to test Him, asked Him to perform a [supernatural] sign from heaven. Verse Concepts

Then certain experts in the law of Moses and some Pharisees answered Jesus, saying, "Teacher, we would like to see you perform a [supernatural] sign." Verse Concepts

And as He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, His disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things [you just spoke of] happen? And what will be the sign that indicates your presence and the end of the [present] age?" Verse Concepts

So, the Jews asked Him, "What [miraculous] sign will you show us, since you are doing these things [i.e., disrupting their merchandising activities]?" Verse Concepts

So, Jesus said to him, "None of you people will believe [in me] unless you see [miraculous] signs and wonders, [will you?]." Verse Concepts

And they said to Him, "What kind of a [miraculous] sign will you perform so that we can see it and [then] believe [in] you? What [kind of] deed will you perform? Verse Concepts

Now Jews ask for [miraculous] signs and Greeks [i.e., Gentiles] are looking for wisdom, Verse Concepts

But the place for cowards, and unbelievers, and disgusting people [i.e., because of their terrible sins], and murderers, and sexually immoral people, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, will be the lake that burns with fire and sulphur. This is the second death." Verse Concepts

So, Jesus said to him, "None of you people will believe [in me] unless you see [miraculous] signs and wonders, [will you?]." Verse Concepts

But the Jews who did not obey [the Gospel message] incited the spirits of the [unconverted] Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. Verse Concepts

that slave's master will return on a day that he least expects, and at an hour unknown [to him]. And [that master] will whip him to shreds and will turn him over to suffer the same fate as unfaithful servants receive. Verse Concepts

And you do not keep His message living in your [hearts], for you do not believe [in] the One whom God sent [i.e., in Jesus]. Verse Concepts

But because I tell [you] the truth, you do not believe me. Verse Concepts

But you do not believe me, because you are not [part] of my sheep. Verse Concepts

And [pray] that we will be rescued from wicked and evil people, because not everyone has faith. Verse Concepts