JOHN LESSON 12
We will begin this lesson in John 4:39.
V-39, "And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him
for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever
I did."
This is a continuation of the Samaritan woman who went back into
the city of Sychar and told the men about Jesus. It appears that the
thing that convinced them was that He told her all about her past.
Notice how much more eager to believe were these Samaritans than the
scribes and Pharisees.
V-40, "So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought
him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days."
These people knew they were in need of Jesus' teachings. They
were not like the self- righteous scribes and Pharisees which wanted
to be rid of Jesus. These people of Sychar wanted to hear more. This
little bit that the woman had told them had really stirred them up,
and they wanted to hear more. The Lord loves the humble in heart.
The self-satisfied group of the temple could not receive anything from
Jesus. These people of Samaria were eager to hear.
V-41, "And many more believed because of his own word;"
These people came at first because of the testimony of the woman,
but now they believed because of the words Jesus had spoken.
V-42, "And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of
thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is
indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world."
These people that the Jews looked down on and were thought to be
ignorant of the Word of God accepted the Truth when they came face to
face with it. Jesus had said of the self-righteous temple leaders
that they had ears and did not hear. They were so opinionated that
they would not listen; but these Samaritans had ears, and they did
hear and receive Jesus as Christ and Saviour and Lord. The woman
planted the seed here, and Jesus harvested this crop of souls. They
had a two day revival and many were saved.
V-43, "Now after two days he departed thence, and went into
Galilee."
This is where He was headed when He came through Samaria.
V-44, "For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour
in his own country."
Jesus didn't go back to Nazareth. He would not have been
recognized as a prophet in Nazareth, because these people saw Him grow
up, supposing Him to be Joseph's and Mary's son. Since they had been
around in His youth, they did not believe He was Messiah. Even His
family (brothers) did not believe. Jesus says here a prophet hath no
honour in his own country. This is true even today. If you are
called to the ministry, usually the last ones to accept the call is
real, are your family and close friends. The reason is they know the
old you.
V-45, "Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans
received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at
the feast: for they also went unto the feast."
The miracles that had been done at Jerusalem at the feast caused
them to believe. In Jerusalem, Jesus had been proclaimed by many as a
prophet. These people had been there for the feast and were
eyewitnesses to His miracles, as well as hearing some of the messages
He brought to the people. Galilee covers a pretty large area and
probably does not mean that He went back to Nazareth, because of what
we read in verse 44 about not being accepted by those who know you.
This is certainly true of many ministers today. You can go away and
be well accepted and not be accepted at all in your own area until you
have been recognized elsewhere first. Certainly this is the case
here.
V-46, "So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made
the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick
at Capernaum."
Remember, Jesus had not allowed them to tell at Cana of the
miracle. It is certain that there was no way to keep some from
knowing of it. This nobleman could have even been a guest at this
large wedding. We do know that for some reason he knew that Jesus was
a healer. The news had travelled, and this nobleman feels that
distance doesn't matter with the Lord and that He will heal his son.
V-47, "When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into
Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down,
and heal his son: for he was at the point of death."
A father will go to any amount of trouble to get help for his
dying son. Possibly he had been searching for Jesus and caught up
with Him here in Cana. At first he requests Jesus to go with him to
Capernaum and heal his boy.
V-48, "Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye
will not believe."
This scolding remark is not just for this father, but for all
those listening even to now. Those who followed Jesus, followed to
see a miracle or to be fed. In I Corinthians 1:22 we read, "For the
Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:" Over and over
they said, "What sign will you give us?" Belief based on signs and
wonders is really pretty shallow. Jesus will say later, "Blessed are
those who have not seen and yet believe."
V-49, "The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die."
This is almost a pleading for his son's life. He believes if Jesus
comes to his house and lays hands on his son, he will live. It is
almost as if the dad is saying, "I will do anything, just come."
V-50, "Jesus saith unto him, go thy way; thy son liveth. And the
man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his
way."
Jesus has power over life and death. This man believed these
strong words that Jesus spoke. He did not doubt the healing of his
son. He went away fully believing that his son was well. This kind
of faith moves mountains. Just as the lepers were healed as they
went, this father stepped out in faith as he left Jesus and headed
for home, knowing that his son was healed.
V-51, "And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and
told him, saying, Thy son liveth."
The servant comes to find this troubled father and tell him that
his son is well. The father was headed home with confidence, not
worried as he had been before he left there. He believed that his son
was healed. Over and over Jesus would say, "Your faith hath made you
whole". In this case, it was the father's faith that made the son
whole.
V-52, "Then inquired he of them the hour when he began to amend.
And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left
him."
V-53, "So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which
Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his
whole house."
This belief here goes much further than believing that the son
was healed by Jesus. This nobleman and his whole family now believe
that Jesus is Messiah (the Christ). There was no question what healed
the boy. It was at the very hour when Jesus ha d pronounced him
healed. This miracle has not only saved the son's life, but saved the
whole family for all of eternity.
V-54, "This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he
was come out of Judaea into Galilee."
Perhaps this is speaking of this miracle of the son and the
miracle of turning the water to wine. Both had been done just after
entering Cana.
John 12 Questions
1. In verse 39, why did many of the Samaritans believe?
2. How long did Jesus stay with the Samaritans?
3. How were they different from the rulers of the temple?
4. In verse 41, we read many more believed because of what?
5. After they heard Jesus, they proclaimed Him to be whom?
6. When Jesus left Samaria, where did He go?
7. Where does a prophet have no honor?
8. Why did the Galilaeans receive Him?
9. What city in Galilee did He come to?
10. What miracle had He done here before?
11. Who came and found Jesus there?
12. What was his need?
13. Where was his son?
14. What did the father try to get Jesus to do?
15. Jesus said, "Except ye see ________________________________ and
______________________________, ye will not believe."
16. Who require a sign?
17. How does Jesus heal the son?
18. What is the father's part in the healing?
19. Who met the father to tell him his son liveth?
20. What did the nobleman ask the servant?
21. What result did this healing bring?
22. What is meant by verse 54?
Notes
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