John Calvin Commentary John 4:49

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

Sir, come down, ere my child die. Since he perseveres in asking, and finally obtains what he wished, we may conclude that Christ did not reprove him in such a manner as if he intended completely to reject him and refused his prayers; but rather that he did so for the purpose of correcting that fault which obstructed the entrance of true faith.

And we should remember—what I have previously stated—that this was a general reproof of a whole people, and was not specifically addressed to one individual.

In this way, whatever is improper, distorted, or superfluous in our prayers must be corrected or removed, so that dangerous obstructions may be cleared away.

Courtiers are usually fastidious and haughty, and do not willingly submit to being treated harshly. But it is noteworthy that this man, humbled by his desperate situation and by the dread of losing his son, does not fly into a rage or murmur when Christ speaks to him sternly, but bears that reproof in modest silence.

We find the same tendencies in ourselves, for we are remarkably sensitive, impatient, and fretful, until, subdued by adversities, we are compelled to set aside our pride and disdain.