Matthew Poole and continuators on John 4:48

48 Then said Jesus unto him, except ye see signs and wonders, you will not believe .

It may seem strange to such as do not well weigh all Circumstances, that our Saviour, who at other times went without asking, shewed himself so hard to be intreated by this Courtier, and answereth him so roughly; but we must not take our selves to be able to give a certain Account of all Christs Actions, and different dealings with Persons, whose Hearts he well enough knew. Thus much is certain, that our Saviour always preferred that Faith which was given to his bare word, before that which waited for a Miracle confirmative of that word, Iohn 20.29. Our Saviour saw that this Courtier came to him purely upon a Natural account, for the Recovery of his dying Son, without a desire to be Instructed in his Heavenly Doctrine, therefore (as it may be presumed) he checks this Courtier, and not him alone, but the generality of the Iews, who were onely struck with Admiration of his works, and drawn from Curiosity, or some Temporal benefit, to follow him, without a due regard of his Person, or the Heavenly saving Truths Preached by him.

Marginal references: 1 Cor. 1.22.