STUDIES IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN –PART 27

                        October 15, 2006

Chapter 4, verses 39-45- John now shares the effect of the Samaritan woman’s testimony in her community: “many of the Samaritans believed in him…”  The phrase from vs.29, “He told me….” is repeated.  Clearly, the woman became enthralled with Jesus’ perception of her and her needs.  Evidently, she found the His “water” (vs.14) to be a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life that brought great satisfaction to her.

  Now amazingly, those who were so socially & religiously disconnected to Jesus asks Him to remain with them (two days)- vs.40.  The result is “many more believed because of His own word”—this is the “harvest” of vs.35.  John

Then records their declaration to the woman- “we believe….for we have heard ourselves and know that this is indeed the Christ”.  Both “heard”

and “know” are in perfect tense = completed act with continuing results.  This self-confidence, by these Sam. men, in what has occurred, is a marvelous way to end this segment of Jesus’ journey through their land.  The events are told in a manner to bring us to observe their clear witness for Him.  Later, in Acts 8:4-8, Philip would have a successful ministry among these people as well.

  Finally, note that they use the phrase “Savior of the world”—it is appropriate for them as they are ‘outside’ the covenant of Israel (Eph. 2:11-13) and see themselves as disenfranchised, but still the object of His delivering work. The

phrase only occurs one other time- I John 4:14.  This statement is preparatory

for the larger world-wide proclamation of the gospel in Acts & the church age.

  In vs.43-45, Jesus changes the geography of His ministry by returning to

Galilee.  Earlier in vs.3, He’d left Judea headed to Galilee, but stopped in Samaria.  John’s remark about “a prophet has not honor…” is generally applied to Nazareth in Galilee,(Lk.4:16,24); yet others see “his own country” to be Judea as the nation’s center of religious & commercial activity.  In vs.45, clearly Jesus is received by these Galileans perhaps because they hope He will do dramatic things in their midst.  Their responsiveness is due to having seen His activities while He was in Jerusalem (2:13-22).

  Chapter 4, verses 46-54- “a certain nobleman”= basilikos- a word connected with king or ruler—in this case, perhaps it is an associate of Herod the tetrarch; [NIV= royal official].   “sick”=asthenei – literally, without strength; imperfect tense- continued sick from the past.  This concerned father makes his way to see Jesus and “implored” [NIV- begged]- use of imperfect tense to show the nobleman continued to beg.  This man feared his son was about to die and that Jesus’ presence could bring health to him.

  In vs.48, Jesus specifically points out the demands of the people of that region.

His words are to reveal how these Galileans seek the sensational, but not necessarily the eternal.  That they require “signs and wonders” before they will believe shows how limited is their faith.  This ‘need’ for signs/wonders reveals the low state of their spiritual lives.

Page 2

  In response the nobleman pleads with Jesus, Sir, come down before my child dies.”   His desperation is revealed in vs.49.  The nobleman believes that if Jesus is present He can prevent the child from dying.

  What Jesus does is more than remarkable!  He directs the nobleman to return

to the child and that the youngster lives (the crisis is past).  We must appreciate the fact that Jesus gives no sign; instead requiring that the man trust the simple

promise or word of Jesus!  This is a step toward a more bona fide experience of faith—to believe because of the character or trustworthiness of the One who gives the promise, rather than due to an impressive demonstration of power.

Vs. 50 says “So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke…went his way.”  This event prefigures the words of 20:29.

  John, the apostle, then documents the verification of the healing by sharing

The conversation of the nobleman and his servants—vs.51-52.  The timing reveals that Jesus instantaneously brought health to the lad.  The results is further trust by the nobleman and possible conversion of his household- vs.53.

  John comments this is the 2^nd miracle or “sign” done by Jesus.