The Miracles of Jesus Part 4: Peter’s Mother-in-Law Healed
Matthew 8:14-15, Mark 1:29-31, Luke 4:38-39 - Jesus heals completely, with compassion and when a need is presented.
“When Jesus came into Peter’s home, He saw his mother-in-law lying sick in bed with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her; and she got up and waited on Him.”
Matthew 8:14-15 NASB1995
“And immediately after they came out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and immediately they *spoke to Jesus about her. And He came to her and raised her up, taking her by the hand, and the fever left her, and she waited on them.”
Mark 1:29-31 NASB1995
“Then He got up and left the synagogue, and entered Simon’s home. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Him to help her. And standing over her, He rebuked the fever, and it left her; and she immediately got up and waited on them.”
Luke 4:38-39 NASB1995
First, a little story about the picture at the top of this devotional. In August 2018, we had a two-day port stop in Israel while on a fantastic Mediterranean cruise that also crossed the Atlantic. We had two whirlwind tours in those two days, one of Jerusalem and one of Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee area. The photo above was taken at the ruins of Capernaum. Archaeologists speculate that this is the foundation of Simon Peter’s home and there is a Catholic Church built above these ruins (lots of both in the Holy Land). We had seen several sites already that day and Capernaum was the last stop before a much-needed lunch break. It was 115 degrees, with “Middle East” humidity and most of the tour group, including our guide, was swooning by this point. We admit that we didn’t study the area of Capernaum very well, just wanting to get into some A/C and we regret our weakness. We hope to go back someday on a more leisurely tour of the fascinating and holy country of Israel.
So the next miracle of Jesus takes place on the same day as the casting out of the unclean spirit in the synagogue on the Sabbath in Capernaum. Three Gospels are aligned at this point, with Matthew 8 also briefly discussing this miracle; earlier in Matthew 8 (and coming in future devotionals), Jesus healed a leper and also healed the Centurion’s servant. The group has come to the house of Simon Peter (Mark also calls it the home of Andrew, Simon’s brother) and Simon Peter’s mother-in-law, who lives there, is ill with a fever and in bed.
Wait, hold the phone!! Peter, the first Pope of the Church, had a mother-in-law? That means he was married! In fact, according to St. Ambrose, all of the apostles except John and Paul were likely married. Another early church leader, Clement of Alexandria, said that Peter’s wife likely aided him in his ministry by working with the other women in the group. Feminists may not like this, but women were usually relegated to minor roles in the early church, with some exceptions like Lydia and Priscilla (both mentioned in Acts and by Paul). Women like Mary Magdalene and others also played a major role in the most pivotal event in the Gospels, discovering that Jesus was not in the tomb after the Crucifixion. This added authenticity to the Gospel Resurrection testimonies, as women were not considered trustworthy or good witnesses, but they were the first to see the truth. Peter is memorialized in this statue at the Basilica named after him in the Holy See (Vatican City).
So, back to Peter’s Mother-In-Law, this miracle demonstrates the compassion of our Lord for one person who is sick. In private with her, a light touch of His hand or rebuke of the illness is enough to bring her immediately back to health and strength. Her response is to serve Him and the others; what is our response to an answered prayer from God?
Here are some excerpts from commentaries by David Guzik on Enduring Word for all three Gospels:
[From Matthew commentary]: He touched her hand, and the fever left her: Jesus healed this woman with a gentle touch of His hand. Her sickness was much less severe than the leper, yet Jesus still cared for her. Jesus cares for smaller problems also.
“The miracle here was not in the cure of an incurable disease, but in the way of the cure, by a touch of his hand.” (Matthew Poole)
[From Mark commentary]: They entered the house of Simon and Andrew: Jesus came into this humble house in Capernaum and met a sick woman. Jesus didn’t only “perform for the crowds.” Here, He ministered to one person in a private home. Jesus’ interest was in meeting the needs of individuals and not in promoting Himself. He didn’t need the power of crowd dynamics to help His ministry.
[From Luke commentary]: And it left her…immediately she arose and served them: This was not only the healing of a disease, but also the immediate granting of strength. One doesn’t normally go from a high fever to serving others.
“He who healed her of the fever did not need her to minister to him; he who had power to heal diseases had certainly power to subsist without human ministry. If Christ could raise her up he must be omnipotent and divine, what need then had he of a womanly service?” (Charles Spurgeon)
I’m starting a list of what each miracle tells us about the Son of God; this will continue in the future devotionals:
Water to wine: Jesus can overcome time, He creates beauty and abundance, and He shares in our joy.
Healing of the official’s son: Jesus can overcome space (distance), He does not need to see the person He heals, He has infinite power, but He also wants us to believe without signs and wonders.
Casting out of the evil spirit in the synagogue: The authority of Jesus is recognized by the demons and He triumphs over evil and silences it.
Healing of Peter’s Mother-in-Law: Jesus does not need crowds to demonstrate His power and He has compassion about the needs of one person, even if those needs seem smaller and only worthy of a couple of verses of scripture.
My next devotional examines the healing and casting out of demons of many that took place on the evening of that very same day, as documented in Matthew, Mark and Luke.
Heaven on Wheels Daily Prayer:
Dear Lord - Your mercy and compassion, along with Your power, have brought healing to so many. Whenever I receive Your healing touch, remind me to follow the example of Peter’s mother-in-law, and serve You and others. Help me to always be in awe of Your supernatural powers and Your sacrifice for my sins and my redemption. Amen.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Commentary from Enduring Word by David Guzik is used with written permission.