Jesus Heals Peter’s Mother In-Law: Luke 4:37-39
“38) 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. 39) 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
Everywhere Jesus went He was presented with ample opportunity to minister to sick, oppressed and downcast people. The same is readily available today! On this occasion, it happened as He entered Peter’s house.
Peter’s mother in-law was suffering from a high fever. According to the Matthew and Mark account, she was lying in bed because of her condition. (See Matthew 8:14-14; Mark 1:29-31)
The high fever is a clue that she was suffering from an infection, virus or something like malaria. The Greek word “suffering” stressed the seriousness of her condition. This was not the common cold!
The passage might give a clue that she was widowed and according to Jewish custom, she may have been living with Peter and his family. Jewish homes often had a room or quarters for elderly family members. They were close knit family units.
No matter her living status, she was immobilized with the fever and they immediately brought her to the attention of Jesus. It speaks to the seriousness of her condition.
When the three accounts of Mathew, Mark and Luke are harmonized, they give crucial insight into how Jesus ministered to her. Matthew says that He touched her. Mark says He took Her by the hand and raised her up. Luke adds that He verbally rebuked the fever.
Reading these accounts in context gives the strong indication that Jesus approached sickness and disease with the same authority and power He exerted over unclean spirits. Astonishingly, none of the texts say that “He prayed for her.” Rather, he took authority over the fever and commanded it to leave.
It worked! Immediately the fever left and she arose and waited on them. She was healed. She resumed her role of assisting with family chores.
When doing a serious study on the healing ministry of Jesus, this story adds significant insight. According to Matthew 4:23-25, Jesus had already begun His preaching, teaching and healing ministry. Verse 23 says that He “was healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people.” Verse 24 adds significant detail to the long list of conditions Jesus healed. Nothing was beyond His authority and power.
My theological background did not venture into developing a comprehensive doctrine on healing. That’s tragic because the Bible is full of stories and teaching on both deliverance and healing. Biblical ignorance on any subject is a rejection of manifold blessings God has for His people.
When the principles of hermeneutics and Bible interpretation are applied to this subject, the results are amazing! Healing and deliverance ministry should not be treated as a taboo subject. It was a normal part of the everyday life and ministry of Jesus, His disciples and the early church.
In many countries around the world today, it is equally common place in the church and in daily Christian living. It is a central part in reaching the lost with the gospel message. God still works in miraculous ways.
What really intrigues me is that Luke was a physician. He documented not only the healing ministry of Jesus during His public ministry, but also numerous accounts in the book of Acts. He added validation to the stories and the biblical subject of healing.
This story of Jesus healing Peter’s mother in-law is foundational to our understanding of the identity, authority and power of Jesus Christ related to healing. It was included by three of the four gospel writers. I believe God is trying to tell us something!
Stay tuned, what happened next in all three gospel accounts is astounding.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“38) 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. 39) 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
Everywhere Jesus went He was presented with ample opportunity to minister to sick, oppressed and downcast people. The same is readily available today! On this occasion, it happened as He entered Peter’s house.
Peter’s mother in-law was suffering from a high fever. According to the Matthew and Mark account, she was lying in bed because of her condition. (See Matthew 8:14-14; Mark 1:29-31)
The high fever is a clue that she was suffering from an infection, virus or something like malaria. The Greek word “suffering” stressed the seriousness of her condition. This was not the common cold!
The passage might give a clue that she was widowed and according to Jewish custom, she may have been living with Peter and his family. Jewish homes often had a room or quarters for elderly family members. They were close knit family units.
No matter her living status, she was immobilized with the fever and they immediately brought her to the attention of Jesus. It speaks to the seriousness of her condition.
When the three accounts of Mathew, Mark and Luke are harmonized, they give crucial insight into how Jesus ministered to her. Matthew says that He touched her. Mark says He took Her by the hand and raised her up. Luke adds that He verbally rebuked the fever.
Reading these accounts in context gives the strong indication that Jesus approached sickness and disease with the same authority and power He exerted over unclean spirits. Astonishingly, none of the texts say that “He prayed for her.” Rather, he took authority over the fever and commanded it to leave.
It worked! Immediately the fever left and she arose and waited on them. She was healed. She resumed her role of assisting with family chores.
When doing a serious study on the healing ministry of Jesus, this story adds significant insight. According to Matthew 4:23-25, Jesus had already begun His preaching, teaching and healing ministry. Verse 23 says that He “was healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people.” Verse 24 adds significant detail to the long list of conditions Jesus healed. Nothing was beyond His authority and power.
My theological background did not venture into developing a comprehensive doctrine on healing. That’s tragic because the Bible is full of stories and teaching on both deliverance and healing. Biblical ignorance on any subject is a rejection of manifold blessings God has for His people.
When the principles of hermeneutics and Bible interpretation are applied to this subject, the results are amazing! Healing and deliverance ministry should not be treated as a taboo subject. It was a normal part of the everyday life and ministry of Jesus, His disciples and the early church.
In many countries around the world today, it is equally common place in the church and in daily Christian living. It is a central part in reaching the lost with the gospel message. God still works in miraculous ways.
What really intrigues me is that Luke was a physician. He documented not only the healing ministry of Jesus during His public ministry, but also numerous accounts in the book of Acts. He added validation to the stories and the biblical subject of healing.
This story of Jesus healing Peter’s mother in-law is foundational to our understanding of the identity, authority and power of Jesus Christ related to healing. It was included by three of the four gospel writers. I believe God is trying to tell us something!
Stay tuned, what happened next in all three gospel accounts is astounding.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
