Mother-In-Law: Peter's, Healed by Jesus
Jump to: Nave'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
The account of Peter's mother-in-law being healed by Jesus is a significant event recorded in the Synoptic Gospels, illustrating Jesus' compassion and authority over sickness. This event is found in Matthew 8:14-15, Mark 1:29-31, and Luke 4:38-39.

Biblical Account:

In the Gospel of Matthew, the narrative is succinctly presented: "When Jesus came into Peter’s house, He saw Peter’s mother-in-law sick in bed with a fever. So He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she got up and began to serve them" (Matthew 8:14-15). This passage highlights the immediacy and completeness of the healing, as she immediately begins to serve, indicating full restoration to health.

Mark's Gospel provides additional context, noting the presence of James and John: "As soon as Jesus and His disciples had left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a fever, and they promptly told Jesus about her. So He went to her, took her by the hand, and helped her up. The fever left her, and she began to serve them" (Mark 1:29-31). This account emphasizes the personal touch of Jesus, who not only heals but also lifts her up, demonstrating His personal care and concern.

Luke, known for his attention to detail as a physician, describes the event with a focus on Jesus' authority over illness: "Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they appealed to Jesus on her behalf. He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to serve them" (Luke 4:38-39). Luke's account underscores the power of Jesus' word, as He rebukes the fever, paralleling His authority over demonic forces and nature.

Theological Significance:

The healing of Peter's mother-in-law is a testament to Jesus' divine authority and His compassion for individuals. It serves as a reminder of His power to restore and His willingness to respond to the needs of those around Him. The immediate response of Peter's mother-in-law, who begins to serve, reflects the appropriate response to Jesus' work in one's life—service and gratitude.

This miracle also highlights the familial and domestic context of Jesus' ministry. By entering Peter's home and healing a family member, Jesus affirms the value of family and the home as places of His presence and work. The healing serves as a precursor to the many miracles Jesus would perform, demonstrating His mission to bring wholeness and restoration.

Cultural Context:

In the first-century Jewish context, a fever was often seen as a serious ailment, potentially life-threatening. The fact that Peter's mother-in-law was bedridden indicates the severity of her condition. Jesus' healing of her not only restored her physically but also reinstated her ability to fulfill her role within the household, which was culturally significant.

Implications for Believers:

For believers, this account encourages faith in Jesus' power to heal and His concern for personal and familial needs. It also serves as a model for intercessory prayer, as those present appealed to Jesus on behalf of Peter's mother-in-law. The narrative invites believers to trust in Jesus' authority over all aspects of life and to respond to His work with service and devotion.
Nave's Topical Index
Mark 1:30,31
But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and immediately they tell him of her.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Healing Peter's Mother-In-Law and Many Others.
... Healing Peter's Mother-in-Law and Many Others ... And he arose out of the synagogue
[where he had just healed the demoniac ... [The Papists, who claim that Peter was the ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxxii healing peters mother-in-law and.htm

Of the Order of the Incidents which are Recorded after this ...
... on every one of them, and healed them ... to have introduced the story of Peter's
mother-in-law not according ... his account in these terms: "Now when Jesus saw great ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter xxii of the order of.htm

Christ Heals the Nobleman's Son. --Chooses Capernaum for His
... he went, attended by his disciples, to the house in which Peter lived, with his
mother-in-law, who lay ill at the time of a fever. [307] Jesus healed her, at ...
/.../section 127 christ heals the.htm

The Four-Fold Gospel
... XXXII. Healing Peter's Mother-in-Law and Many Others. XXXIII. ... Peter's Confession.
Part Sixth. ... LXIX. The Deaf Stammerer Healed and Four Thousand Fed. LXX. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/

A Group of Miracles
... And He healed many that were sick with divers diseases, and cast out ... Especial interest
attaches to the mention of the mother-in-law of Peter, as proving ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 1 29-34 a group of.htm

Mighty in Word and Deed
... And He healed many that were sick of divers diseases ... Jesus wishes no acknowledgments
from such lips ... in the three verses as to the cure of Peter's mother-in-law. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/mighty in word and deed.htm

To an Objection that the State of Widowhood Might Indeed be ...
... also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ." [3361 ... So, then, Peter's
mother-in-law found some to pray for her ... that you, too, being sick, may be healed. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter ix to an objection.htm

Significance of Capernaum.
... then gives us the story of Peter's mother-in-law, in close ... the one hand, the sick
are healed, and other ... of consolation, made so perhaps by Jesus, who comforted ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of john/10 significance of capernaum.htm

A Sabbath in Capernaum
... in the majestic bearing of Him Who healed, is the Evangelic narrative of the cure
of Peter's mother-in-law. ... Jesus is told' of the sickness; He is besought ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xiv a sabbath in.htm

The Cure of Simon's Wife's Mother.
... chapter the story of the cure of St Peter's mother-in-law. ... One says Jesus stood over
her; another, he touched her ... from the point of view of the person healed. ...
/.../macdonald/miracles of our lord/iii the cure of simons.htm

Resources
Does the Bible really say that parents should have their rebellious children stoned? | GotQuestions.org

Is there a mother god? | GotQuestions.org

Is there a heavenly mother? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Mother-In-Law: Not to be Defiled
Top of Page
Top of Page