Peter, His Mother-in-Law was Healed

Last time, we discovered that Peter was from Galilee, had a brother named Andrew, was originally named Simon and was a fisherman.  Jesus came and called them to follow him, which they did.

Three of the four gospels share that Peter had a mother-in-law, whom Jesus healed.  So, we know from this that Simon Peter was married.

“And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon’s house.”  {Luke 4:38}

“Peter’s home was originally in Bethsaida, which was a suburb of Capernaum, and it may

Jesus went to the home of Simon Peter

still have been there at this time…this village must have been in the suburb of Capernaum…it is said that the whole city was gathered together at the door, and the only city mentioned in the context is Capernaum.” {The New Testament Commentary: Vol. I – Matthew and Mark.}

Our commentary continues by telling us, “It was the Sabbath-day; for the company in Simon’s house had come immediately from the synagogue when the assembly had adjourned. The healing of Simon’s mother-in-law, the first cure of the kind effected in Capernaum, was the signal for a general rush of the people to secure the healing of their sick. But the traditional interpretation of the Sabbath law, which prohibited the bearing of burdens on the Sabbath-day restrained them until after sunset, when, the Sabbath being over, they were at liberty to engage in any kind of labor. That was a night of joy in the city. Jesus was bestowing his blessings on them, and had as yet said little or nothing to them in regard to their sins. They were now like the seed that fell on the stony ground.”   {The New Testament Commentary: Vol. I – Matthew and Mark.}

Simon’s mother-in-law was ill

“And Simon’s wife’s mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her.”  {Luke 4:38}

The Matthew Henry Concise Bible Commentary says, “Peter had a wife, yet was an apostle of Christ, who showed that he approved of the married state, by being thus kind to Peter’s wife’s relations. He had his wife’s mother with him in his family, which is an example to be kind to our relations. In spiritual healing, the Scripture speaks the word, the Spirit gives the touch, touches the heart, touches the hand. Those who recover from fevers, commonly are weak and feeble sometime after; but to show that this cure was above the power of nature, the woman was at once so well as to go about the business of the house.”

“ And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever.  And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.”  {Matthew 8:14-15}

The People’s New Testament says, “He could heal by a word, or by his touch. At his touch, the fever left her.”

At Jesus touch the fever left her

“The fever was so high that the patient was prostrated and bedfast; yet at the touch of Jesus “she arose and ministered to them,” being instantly restored to both health and strength. It was impossible for the witnesses to doubt that the cure was miraculous.”    {The New Testament Commentary: Vol. I – Matthew and Mark.}

“And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her. And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.”  {Mark 1:29-31}

She rose to prepare a meal for the Lord

Our commentary describes minister as, “Was well, and able to prepare a meal for the Lord.”
{Johnson’s Notes on the New Testament.}

Peter and the entire town of Capernaum witnessed Jesus perform a miracle in the healing of his mother-in-law.  We are not sure how soon after Peter started following Jesus this happened.

So, we do not know if this was the first miracle he witnessed or not.  Although it seems unlikely it was, because Mark tells us earlier in the chapter that Jesus saw an unclean spirit, cried out and all were amazed and he {Jesus} grew in fame. {Mark 1:23-28}

What we do know is that it definitely was not the last miracle he would witness.

What miracles have you seen in your life?

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