Fever Healed - Peter's Mother-in-Law

Peter’s mother-in-law

Matt 8:14–15

Mark 1:29–31

Luke 4:39

· WHO: received by Peter’s mother-in-law.

· It benefitted Peter too!

· WHAT: Fever

· HOW: Spoken Word, Physical Contact

Background:

Early in Jesu’s ministry – He had just called, Simon (Peter), Andrew, James, and John to follow Him.

It appears this healing also took place on a Sabbath since it occurred soon after leaving the synagogue where Jesus performed an exorcism on a man in the congregation.

Matthew 8:14–15 NLT

14 When Jesus arrived at Peter’s house, Peter’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. 15 But when Jesus touched her hand, the fever left her. Then she got up and prepared a meal for him.

Mark 1:29–31 NLT

29 After Jesus left the synagogue with James and John, they went to Simon and Andrew’s home. 30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. They told Jesus about her right away. 31 So he went to her bedside, took her by the hand, and helped her sit up. Then the fever left her, and she prepared a meal for them.

29 After Jesus left the synagogue with James and John (Luke 4 “that day”), they went to Simon and Andrew’s home.

30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. They told Jesus about her right away. (Luke 4 “please heal her, everyone begged”)

sick – G906 – ballo – cast (down?) (such as on a bed?)

high fever – G4445 – to be sick of a fever

cause of sickness? – unknown

31 So he went to her bedside, took her by the hand, and helped her sit up. Then the fever left her, and she prepared a meal for them.

helped her sit up –

Matthew 8 = touched – G680 - to fasten one’s self to, adhere to, cling to[1]

The ministry of the laying on of hands is NORMAL

Why did Jesus touch her HAND? - the fever was not in her hand

· she was weak form the fever

· the hand represents a person’s Strength

· therefore, Jesus restored her strength from HIS hand to HER hand

fever – G4446 – pyretos – (pyro?) different word = fiery heat

left her – G863 – depart, go away

When Jesus comes in, sickness goes out!

· Jesus did not have to throw sickness away – it leaves on its own!

· There was no argument, fight or struggle,

· law of displacement – two things cannot occupy the same place at the same time

· Sickness is never any match for Jesus

prepared a meal – instant recovery!

· no hangover, no therapy, needed, no rehabilitation, she was immediately ambulatory

· Gratitude expresses itself by charity.

· Appreciation gives back to those who gave to him.

Luke 4 adds more detail –

Luke 4:39 NLT

39 Standing at her bedside, he rebuked the fever, and it left her. And she got up at once and prepared a meal for them.

· standing – this does NOT contradict, it simply adds detail

· Jesus took her hand – while standing at her bedside

He rebuked the fever - mentioned only in Luke –

rebuked = G2008 – to charge sharply, to chide

· to tax with fault (blame) – this again proves that sickness does not come from God!

· it is as if Jesus said: “this is your fault, you have been caught, so get out!”

Spiritual truth – sickness can hear!

Speak God’s Word to your sickness – it is NORMAL

· do not mock (or discount) the things of God – even when you don’t understand them

· our immediate response to God’s Word is to be – YES LORD! the sickness certainly did!

· are you smarter than a fever?

Luke 4:38–39 NLT

38 After leaving the synagogue that day, Jesus went to Simon’s home, where he found Simon’s mother-in-law very sick with a high fever. “Please heal her,” everyone begged. 39 Standing at her bedside, he rebuked the fever, and it left her. And she got up at once and prepared a meal for them.

[1]Strong, J. (1995). In Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.