John 4:49 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

The nobleman saith unto him, &c.— Weak as his faith was, the nobleman urged only parental affection, determined to press the matter to the utmost; and therefore, without any explication or apology respecting our Lord's reproof, he entreats him to come down ere his child die; urging that the case was so extreme, that a delay might be attended with the most fatal consequences; but not having an idea that Christ, as the Lord of life as well as of health, could as easily remedy those consequences, as heal his son. Jesus, upon this,—fully to convince the nobleman of his omnipotence, and to shew that it was not necessary for him, who could speak, and it was done, to go in person to accomplish the cure,—says to him, "Go thy way home; thy son liveth; at the instant I am speaking to thee, he is recovered from his illness." There is something remarkable and sublimely striking in our Lord's words: No doubt they had their influence upon this man's heart; for we read, that he believed the word which Jesus spoke, and went away without any further importunity, though he had never seen or heard of a parallel case. It is indeed plain, that he had heard of Christ's miracles; but this is the first recorded in which he cured the patient at a distance.