MPV Commentary

43-44. After two days of His stay in Sychar, Jesus left for Galilee.

44. For Jesus testified that He could not work miracles in His own country, Nazareth, because a prophet is not honored in his hometown (see Mark 6:4 and Luke 4:24). This statement seems strange, but it makes sense if we understand that Jesus was traveling to the region of Galilee, but not specifically to Nazareth.

45. The people had seen His wonderful works at Jerusalem during the feast and were proud of their countryman's accomplishments. They may have even been won over to investigate His claims more closely. Even this level of interest did not go unnoticed by Jesus, as He often saw conversion begin with less than perfect faith (as in the case of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:3-10).

46-47. A nobleman, or a high-ranking official connected to a royal household, heard that Jesus had come out of Judea and was now in Galilee. He knew about Jesus' miracles at Jerusalem and decided to visit Him.

48-54. The nobleman believed Jesus could help his son, but he wanted more than just faith - he wanted proof. Our Lord responded by saying that unless the man saw signs, he would not believe (see John 4:45). This was a blunt answer, similar to the one He gave Nicodemus.

49. The nobleman asked Jesus to come down immediately before his child died. This was an expression of faith, but it was still incomplete. Our Lord wanted him to understand that the cure could be wrought without His physical presence.

50. Jesus told the nobleman to go home and find out that his son was alive. The man's faith was now complete, and he took leave of Christ as a sign of his trust. The servants rushed back to tell the anxious parents about their son's recovery. They asked when the boy started to get better, and they were told it happened at the exact hour Jesus spoke those words - "Your son lives!" This confirmed their faith, and they believed along with their entire household.

51-54. The nobleman had initially believed imperfectly, but now he had complete faith in Christ's word. His whole household was affected by this transformation, and it became a symbol of salvation coming to that family (see Luke 19:9). This second miracle in Cana occurred after Jesus left Judea, just like the first one before.