Charles Ellicott Commentary John 4:49

"The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die." — John 4:49 (ASV)

Ere my child die.—But human sorrow is the birth-pang of faith. The sense of utter powerlessness leads the soul to cast itself on the Strong One for strength. The faith is still weak, but it is there. It does not realise that Christ can speak the word and heal the child, but it does feel that His presence could save him, and pleads as a father for his son. Come down, ere my child die.