Nobleman is the rendering of the A. V. at Joh 4:46, of βασιλικός, which is somewhat various in signification: 1, descended from a king; 2, one belonging to the court; 3, a soldier of the king, in which sense it often occurs in Josephus. The second signification seems, however, to be the prevalent one; and the Greek interpreters also favor it. See Robinson, N.T. Lex. s.v. Munter found it likewise in inscriptions. The Syriac has here "a royal servant;" the Ethiopic, "a royal house-servant." This person was, therefore, probably of the court of Herod Antipas, who reigned over Galilee and Persea (Tholuck, Conmmentar zum Johan. 4:46). Some writers have conjectured that this "nobleman" was Chuza, Herod's steward, whose wife afterwards became an attendant on Jesus (Lu 8:3), and is thought to have been converted on this occasion; but of this there is no evidence.
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More