A cursory reading of verse 54 might cause us to think that this is the second sign, that John records:

“This again is the second sign Jesus did when He had come out of Judea into Galilee” (John 4:54).

However, the text does not state that this was the second sign that Jesus did, as that would contradict John 2:23 and John 3:2, but that this was the second sign performed in Cana of Galilee. My contention, detailed in the previous article, is that the cleansing of the temple in Jerusalem was the second sign in John’s Gospel.

Another noteworthy feature, in these preliminary comments, is that the text contains a rebuke, from the Lord Jesus, to those who look for signs and miracles, before believing.

“Then Jesus said to him, ‘Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe’” (John 4:48).

The Lord had just travelled from Samaria and the contrast is clear. In Samaria there is no record of Him doing any sign but there is testimony to the fact that many people believed in Him due to what they heard.

“So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. And many more believed because of His own word. Then they said to the woman, ‘Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.’” (John 4:40-42).

In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians we learn that it was characteristic of the Jews to request a sign.

“For Jews request a sign” (1 Corinthians 1:22a).

Their attitude, in general, was that they wanted a sign before they would believe and the Lord Jesus clearly condemned that attitude. Nonetheless, what we learn is that He sometimes graciously gives signs to those who have little faith, in order that their faith might grow.

The Problem

John tells us that a Royal Official, most likely a Jew in the service of Herod Antipas, had a great problem that would be heart-wrenching for any parent. His son had a fever that his father believed would cause him to die very soon. The distance from Capernaum to Cana was nearly 20 miles but “When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death” (John 4:47). 

This action does indicate faith but, the Lord knew the heart of the man and concluded that a rebuke was necessary. The rebuke was not to the nobleman alone as the “you” is plural in verse 48: “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe”. The faith that pleases the Lord is not one that first looks for “signs and wonders” but one that comes through believing the word about Him, like that of the Samaritans in 4:41.

The Resolution

Although the nobleman’s faith was deficient, as he believed that the Lord Jesus had to go to Capernaum to save him (and that if the boy died then the Lord could do nothing for him), the Lord graciously healed the son. Jesus showed His power over distance. He was not restrained by the fact that He was in Cana and the boy was in Capernaum. Distance is not a barrier to the Lord Jesus. He could heal without being in the same location; He did not need to see or touch him. Although he rebuked those who would not believe unless they saw a sign, He did provide this sign to show them and us who He is.

It is encouraging to see the progression of faith in the nobleman as he does not doubt Jesus’ words: "Go your way; your son lives" (v.50). He who had thought it was essential for Jesus to come to his son now believed that He had healed him from a distance.

The conversation and subsequent healing seems to have occurred at a time that meant returning to Capernaum was not possible that day. Travelling home the following day, the nobleman met some of his servants, who stated that the fever had completely left the son. They then confirmed that this occurred at exactly the time when Jesus had stated, “Your son lives” (v.53). The man’s faith is further strengthened as we read: “And he himself believed, and his whole household” (v.53). 

This was the second sign in Galilee and it points us to who Jesus is. He is able to do mighty works without being present. He is God, the giver of life, who can bring things into existence through His spoken word.

All true Christians know that they serve and worship an almighty God who is able to work out His purposes in any part of the world at any time. Anyone who is not presently trusting in Jesus Christ as their Saviour and has not confessed Him as their Lord, should understand from this sign that He is the Son of God. He is the One who gives eternal life to all who receive Him (John 3:36).