Jesus’ second miracle recorded by John (4:46-54) was that of His healing a royal official’s son. The official came to Jesus at Cana of Galilee, asking Jesus to go to his home Capernaum to heal his son who was “at the point of death” (v.47). Jesus’ response: “Go your way; your son lives: (v.50). When the official returned home the next day (distance from Cana to Capernaum is ca. 20 miles), he learned that his son had recovered the exact hour on the previous day when Jesus spoke the word.
Such miracles show who Jesus is (see John 20:30-31). Because He is God, Jesus did not have to be physically at Capernaum to heal the sick boy. He has power not only over sickness, but over distance!
In New Testament times (and somewhat previously), an important road connected the coastal city of Ptolemais with Cana, which then passed through Sde Amudim (Khirbet Umm el-Amud), then on to Magdala and f to Capernaum. It is likely that the royal official of our text would have traveled this route, passing through the area pictured here.
Sde Amudim in lower Galilee looking east toward Capernaum. Photo by Leon Mauldin.
Here at this site are the remains of a synagogue (dates to AD 3rd century).
Synagogue at Sde Amudim. Photo by Leon Mauldin.
Interestingly, this location serves as a watershed. In this photo we look north. The Bet Netofa Valley drains to the west (to your left); the drainage to your right is east going down to the Sea of Galilee at Magdala.
Watershed at Sde Amudim. Photo by Leon Mauldin.
Click images for larger view.
Posted by Leon Mauldin 
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