The saying of 4:44 is found in all four gospels but John uses it to refer to Jesus' rejection both in Jerusalem, the royal City of the Messiah, and in the world, not Jesus' rejection in Nazareth (Mark 6: 1-4). According to 4:45, the people welcomed Jesus when he returned to Galilee.

The second sign, as well as the first, was given in Cana. An official, who could have been a Roman, in the government service of the Herodian family, came some distance to Cana to ask Jesus to go to Capernaum to heal his son who was dying. In 4:48 we have the key to the significance of this sign, when Jesus challenges the official about his belief in him.

Did he want Jesus' help because he believed who he was, or because he thought of Jesus as a wonder-worker? The official's reply (4:49) indicated his trust and belief and he returned home in faith, after Jesus had spoken the word of healing (4:50). The word of healing can be understood to have two meanings, if linked with 4: 53; not only was the son restored physically but the whole family believed in Jesus (3:16\ The witness of the second sign is to the power of trust and belief in Jesus, through which even death is overcome. The second sign also points beyond the narrow confines of Judaism to the salvation of those beyond; whether the official was a Roman or whether he was a Jew working for the Herodian government, he was involved with those whom strict Jews would have avoided. Not so the Messiah of the Jews (4:25) who was also the Saviour of the world (4:42).

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