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.

That he would come down and heal ... The faith of the nobleman was sufficient to send him to Capernaum, a distance of some sixteen miles, over hilly and rough terrain. The fact of the son's being at the point of death is pertinent; because only the direst necessity could have sent this nobleman to the despised prophet of Galilee; but it is possible that he had witnessed some of the miracles in Jerusalem and decided as a last resort to seek healing for his son. He supposed that it would have been necessary for Jesus to come to his son in order to heal him. Still, a little faith acted upon is far better than inactive big faith; and, to the immense joy of this ancient nobleman, his efforts were successful. It would seem that this nobleman was Jewish, since the Lord at once placed him in the category of the Jews who would not believe except they saw signs.