In brief
Peter's mother-in-law, whom the Gospels do not name, lived in the house of Simon and Andrew at Capernaum. One Sabbath, at the beginning of Jesus' ministry, she is lying in bed with a high fever. Jesus takes her by the hand, the fever leaves her, and she gets up at once to serve. Matthew, Mark and Luke report this quiet healing, which also reminds us that Peter was married.
What does the name Peter's Mother-in-law mean?
The Gospels give neither her name nor that of her daughter, Peter's wife. They designate her only as Simon's mother-in-law, or Peter's (Mark 1:30; Matthew 8:14). Paul confirms elsewhere that Cephas, that is, Peter, was married (1 Corinthians 9:5).
The story of Peter's Mother-in-law
A Sabbath at Capernaum
Mark 1:21-28On the Sabbath day, Jesus teaches in the synagogue of Capernaum. The listeners are struck, for he teaches with authority. He also delivers a man who had an unclean spirit, and his fame spreads throughout Galilee. It is on leaving this synagogue that Jesus goes to Simon's house.
Lying sick with a fever
Mark 1:29-30; Luke 4:38Jesus enters the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Simon's mother-in-law lies sick with a fever; Luke specifies that it is a high fever. Right away they tell Jesus about her, and those around her plead with him on her behalf. The healing begins with the intercession of those who love her.
Jesus raises her up
Mark 1:31; Luke 4:39; Matthew 8:15Jesus comes near and raises her up by taking her hand. Luke specifies that he stands over her and rebukes the fever. Matthew notes that he touches her hand. At that moment the fever leaves her. The healing is immediate and complete: she needs no time to recover.
She begins to serve
Matthew 8:15; Mark 1:31As soon as she is healed, she gets up and serves. Matthew writes that she served him, Mark and Luke that she served them, him and those with him. Her first response is to put her restored strength to the service of the Lord and his disciples, in her own home.
The whole city at the door
Mark 1:32-34; Matthew 8:16-17In the evening, after sunset, all the sick and the demon-possessed are brought to Jesus, and the whole city gathers at the door. He heals many who are sick. Matthew sees in this the fulfillment of Isaiah: “He took our infirmities, and bore our diseases.”
Test your knowledge
What Peter's Mother-in-law teaches us
- It is right to speak to Jesus about those we love when they suffer.
- Jesus cares about ordinary illnesses as well as great dramas, even in the privacy of a home.
- Grace received naturally becomes service to Jesus and to others.
- A home opened to the Lord can become a place of blessing for a whole city.
Key verses
“He came and took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her immediately, and she served them.” A personal gesture from Jesus, and a healing that leads at once to service.
Luke shows Jesus standing over the sick woman and rebuking the fever, as he rebuked demons. His authority extends to sickness, and the woman gets up at once to serve.
The Son of Man came to serve and to give his life. By serving right after her healing, Peter's mother-in-law already reflects the attitude of her Lord.
Sermons about Peter's Mother-in-law
- Mark 1: When Your Soul Has a Fever, Get Up and ServeThe preacher speaks of the fever of the soul and draws from this story the test of true healing: getting up and serving. He recalls that God does great miracles, but small ones too.
- Amazement and Joy at Capernaum: The Authority of JesusThe message highlights Jesus' personal approach as he bends over Simon's feverish mother-in-law and gives an order to the fever: his authority extends to sickness as it does to demons.
- Luke 5: Jesus Sees Something Else in Your Empty BoatThe preacher connects the healing of Simon's mother-in-law with the miraculous catch of fish: Simon had seen Jesus heal at home, but he risked limiting his authority to that one area.
- God's Kingdom Is Here: Enter Through Repentance and FaithThe sermon sees in this healing the tenderness of Jesus shown in the home, and encourages us to entrust to him the members of our family who are suffering.
Frequently asked questions
What was the name of Peter's mother-in-law?
The Bible does not give her name, nor that of Peter's wife. She is only called Simon's or Peter's mother-in-law. This silence is common for people healed by Jesus. Paul confirms elsewhere that Cephas, that is, Peter, took with him a believing wife (1 Corinthians 9:5).
Why did she begin to serve after her healing?
The Gospels give no explanation; they report the fact: the moment the fever leaves her, she gets up and serves. This detail shows that her healing is complete, with no recovery period. It also illustrates a natural response to grace: putting restored strength at the service of Jesus and others.
Where is the healing of Peter's mother-in-law found in the Bible?
The story is found in three Gospels: Matthew 8:14-15, Mark 1:29-31 and Luke 4:38-39. Mark and Luke place it right after the deliverance of a man in the synagogue of Capernaum, on a Sabbath. Read the following verses too, which tell of the evening healings in front of the door of the house.