The text highlights that Peter's mother-in-law had a "great fever," a specific medical term used by ancient physicians like Galen. This detail, woven into the narrative by Luke, a physician himself, subtly underscores Jesus' profound healing power—He didn't just cure an illness; He conquered a severe, precisely defined affliction with a single word.
And he arose and left the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they appealed to him on her behalf. And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them. Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Having just taught powerfully in the synagogue, Jesus immediately goes with his new disciples, Simon (Peter) and Andrew, to Simon's home in Capernaum. There, they find Simon’s mother-in-law suffering from a severe fever, and the family urgently pleads with Jesus to help her. This scene marks Jesus's first recorded healing miracle in Luke’s Gospel, powerfully demonstrating his authority and compassion as he begins his public ministry.
Who was Simon, the man whose house Jesus visited? This moment gives us a surprising glimpse into the life of one of Jesus' closest disciples.
In Luke 4:38, we meet Simon Peter for the first time in Luke's Gospel. The text immediately connects him to his family: 'Simon’s house' and 'Simon’s wife’s mother.' This is significant because:
A desperate plea is made to Jesus. How does He respond, and what does the language of the text reveal about His power?
The situation in Simon's home was urgent. Simon's mother-in-law was 'ill with a high fever,' and 'they appealed to him on her behalf.':
Ask a follow-up
Luke, the author, was a doctor. How does his medical background subtly color his account of Jesus' healing?
Luke's Gospel is known for its attention to detail, especially regarding health and illness, reflecting his background as a physician.
Understand the original words
synagōgē · Greek Noun
A place of assembly for Jewish prayer, scripture reading, and teaching; it served as the center of communal religious life for Jews in the first century.
epitimaō · Greek Verb
To express strong disapproval, censure, or a stern command to cease; biblically, it is used by Jesus to silence demons, calm the elements, or remove sickness.
diakoneō · Greek Verb
To wait upon, minister to, or perform duties for others; in a biblical context, it often refers to the humble service rendered in response to grace or out of gratitude for a work of God.
nosos · Greek Noun
The physical, bodily ailments or sicknesses that afflict humanity; in the Gospels, these represent the entrance of the curse into the world and are targets of Jesus' restorative ministry.
epitithēmi cheir · Greek Verb phrase
A symbolic act of identification, commissioning, blessing, or the impartation of healing virtue; it signifies personal engagement and the transfer of divine power through the physical touch of the Savior.
therapeuō · Greek Verb
The act of restoring to wholeness or health; in the New Testament, it is both a physical restoration and a sign confirming the presence and authority of the kingdom of God.
This event places Jesus' healing power in a real-world context, showing his immediate engagement with ordinary people and their needs right at the start of his Galilean ministry.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus Begins Public Ministry
After his baptism and temptation, Jesus begins his public ministry in Galilee, calling disciples and performing miracles. This period marks the start of widespread recognition of his activities.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus Teaches in Capernaum Synagogue
Jesus teaches in the synagogue at Capernaum, a bustling town on the Sea of Galilee. This is a significant early teaching engagement after his ministry begins.
c. AD 27-30— this verse
Jesus Heals Simon's Mother-in-Law
Jesus leaves the synagogue and enters the house of Simon (Peter), where he heals Simon's mother-in-law, who was suffering from a high fever. This is the first healing miracle of Jesus recorded by Luke.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus Heals Many in Capernaum
Following the healing of Simon's mother-in-law, Jesus performs numerous other healings and exorcisms as news of his power spreads throughout Capernaum.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus Begins Tour of Galilee
Jesus decides to take his message to other towns, beginning a tour of the synagogues in Galilee to preach and cast out demons, fulfilling his mission.
This passage narrates the same healing event from Jesus' perspective, highlighting Peter's mother-in-law's fever and Jesus' compassionate touch that brought immediate healing.
1 Corinthians 9:5This verse references Peter's (Simon's) status as a married man, reinforcing the context of Jesus entering his home and healing his relative.
Matthew 8:17This reference connects Jesus' healing miracles, including this one, to the prophecy in Isaiah, showing that Jesus' compassion extended beyond physical ailments to address the deeper spiritual sickness of humanity.
Mark 1:29-31Mark's account provides additional detail, mentioning Andrew as well and emphasizing the immediate nature of the healing and the mother-in-law's subsequent service, showcasing the ripple effect of Jesus' power.
Luke 5:12-13This passage describes Jesus healing a leper and immediately after, which mirrors the pattern of Jesus moving from the synagogue to a house to bring healing and compassion to those in need.
cambridgeLuke 4:38: "And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her."
38, 39. The Healing of Simon’s Wife’s Mother 38 . into Simon’s house ] St Mark, nearly connected with St Peter, says more accurately “the house of Simon and Andrew” ( Luke 1:29 ). This is the first mention of Peter in St Luke, but the name was too well known in the Christian Church to need further explanation. Peter and Andrew wer…
clarkeLuke 4:38: "And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her."
Simon's wife's mother - See on Matthew 8:14-17 (note). As soon as Peter began to follow Christ, his family began to benefit by it. It is always profitable to contract an acquaintance with good men. One person full of faith and prayer may be the means of drawing down innumerable blessings on his family and acquaintance. Every perso…
The text highlights that Peter's mother-in-law had a "great fever," a specific medical term used by ancient physicians like Galen. This detail, woven into the narrative by Luke, a physician himself, subtly underscores Jesus' profound healing power—He didn't just cure an illness; He conquered a severe, precisely defined affliction with a single word.
Having just taught powerfully in the synagogue, Jesus immediately goes with his new disciples, Simon (Peter) and Andrew, to Simon's home in Capernaum. There, they find Simon’s mother-in-law suffering from a severe fever, and the family urgently pleads with Jesus to help her. This scene marks Jesus's first recorded healing miracle in Luke’s Gospel, powerfully demonstrating his authority and compassion as he begins his public ministry.
Having just taught powerfully in the synagogue, Jesus immediately goes with his new disciples, Simon (Peter) and Andrew, to Simon's home in Capernaum. There, they find Simon’s mother-in-law suffering from a severe fever, and the family urgently pleads with Jesus to help her. This scene marks Jesus's first recorded healing miracle in Luke’s Gospel, powerfully demonstrating his authority and compassion as he begins his public ministry.
"And he arose and left the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they appealed to him on her behalf. And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she r…" — The text highlights that Peter's mother-in-law had a "great fever," a specific medical term used by ancient physicians like Galen. This detail, woven into the narrative by Luke, a physician himself,…
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Last reviewed October 2026
