John Gill Commentary John 4:47

"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." — John 4:47 (ASV)

When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea
For the fame of Christ, for his doctrine and miracles, was spread everywhere; so that it was known, and talked of, in most places, where he was, and what course he was steering: and this nobleman understanding that he had left Judea, and had come

into Galilee ;
and having inquired in what parts of Galilee he was,

he went to him ;
though it was many miles from Capernaum, where Jesus was, at least a day's journey; since, when the servants met their master, the child had been healed at one o'clock the day before; see (John 4:52) . Some reckon it about fifteen miles, but one would think it should be more:

and besought him, that he would come down ;
for Capernaum, though it was built on a hill, lay lower down in the country of Galilee than Cana did, near the sea of Tiberias: a like way of speaking is used in (John 2:12) ;

and heal his son .
The nobleman believed that Christ had power to do it, by what he had heard concerning him, but thought his corporeal presence was absolutely necessary to it:

for he was at the point of death ;
or "would die": he was very near it; there was no likelihood of his recovery; the physicians had given him over; and before he left him, he seemed to be near his death, and must die for any human help that could be obtained, or natural means that could be used.