And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever.
English Standard Version (ESV)
When Jesus entered Peter's house, the text notes he "saw his mother-in-law lying sick." This seemingly simple observation reveals that marriage was a normal part of life, even for Jesus' closest disciples, a point often overlooked when thinking about the apostles.
And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just delivered the powerful Sermon on the Mount, offering a revolutionary vision of God's kingdom, and now he begins to demonstrate its reality through miracles. Entering Peter's home in Capernaum, he immediately encounters a scene of sickness and human suffering, setting the stage for his healing ministry to the disciples and the crowds.
Ever feel like biblical stories are too grand to be real? This verse grounds us in a relatable moment of everyday life.
Jesus wasn't just performing miracles in grand public spaces. Here, he enters the ordinary home of his disciple, Peter, and encounters a familiar human ailment: a fever.
When Jesus saw suffering, he didn't look away. Discover the power in his touch and the implications of his actions.
Jesus' response to Peter's mother-in-law reveals both his compassion and the authority he wields over sickness.
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This event highlights the reality of sickness and suffering that Jesus encountered, and his immediate, compassionate response to heal even within the home of his close follower, Peter.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus calls first disciples
Jesus calls fishermen like Peter, Andrew, James, and John to follow him, forming his core group of disciples. They leave their previous lives and occupations to join him.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus teaches in Capernaum synagogue
Jesus begins his public ministry, teaching and preaching in the synagogues of Galilee. He demonstrates his authority, including casting out a demon.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Jesus heals Peter's mother-in-law
After teaching in the synagogue, Jesus enters the house of Peter and Andrew in Capernaum and miraculously heals Peter's mother-in-law, who was suffering from a severe fever.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus heals many in Capernaum
As evening falls, a great multitude brings the sick and demon-possessed to Jesus. He heals many, demonstrating his power over all sickness and evil spirits.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus departs Capernaum
The next morning, Jesus leaves Capernaum to preach in other nearby towns and villages, fulfilling his mission to spread the message of the Kingdom of God throughout the region.
This parallel account in Mark provides more detail about the event, highlighting that Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law immediately after a busy day of teaching and healing in the synagogue, emphasizing the compassion Jesus had for those suffering.
Luke 4:38-39Luke's Gospel describes the fever with a term suggesting it was severe and possibly life-threatening, underscoring the power of Jesus' touch and command to instantly restore her health.
Isaiah 35:5-6These verses from Isaiah, which Matthew alludes to in verse 17, speak of a time when the Lord will come to heal and save, showing how Jesus' miraculous healing of Peter's mother-in-law was a preview of His ultimate redemptive work for all who believe.
1 Corinthians 9:5This passage directly addresses the marital status of apostles, mentioning that Peter, like other apostles, had a wife, which is relevant to the mention of 'Peter's wife's mother' in Matthew 8:14 and speaks to the normalcy of family life even for those in ministry.
clarkeMatthew 8:14: "And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever."
Peter's house - That Peter lived at Capernaum, and that Christ lodged with him, is fully evident from this verse compared with Matthew 17:24 . Peter's - wife's mother - Learn hence, says Theophylact, that marriage is no hinderance to virtue, since the chief of the apostles had his wife. Marriage is one of the first of Divine institutions, and is a positive command of God. He says, the…
calvinMatthew 8:14-18: "And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever."
- And when Jesus had come into Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying in bed, and afflicted with fever. 15. And he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she arose and waited on them. 16. And when the evening had approached, they brought to him many demoniacs, and he cast out the spirits by his word, and healed all that were diseased: 17. That it might be fulfilled…
When Jesus entered Peter's house, the text notes he "saw his mother-in-law lying sick." This seemingly simple observation reveals that marriage was a normal part of life, even for Jesus' closest disciples, a point often overlooked when thinking about the apostles.
Jesus has just delivered the powerful Sermon on the Mount, offering a revolutionary vision of God's kingdom, and now he begins to demonstrate its reality through miracles. Entering Peter's home in Capernaum, he immediately encounters a scene of sickness and human suffering, setting the stage for his healing ministry to the disciples and the crowds.
Jesus has just delivered the powerful Sermon on the Mount, offering a revolutionary vision of God's kingdom, and now he begins to demonstrate its reality through miracles. Entering Peter's home in Capernaum, he immediately encounters a scene of sickness and human suffering, setting the stage for his healing ministry to the disciples and the crowds.
"And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever." — When Jesus entered Peter's house, the text notes he "saw his mother-in-law lying sick." This seemingly simple observation reveals that marriage was a normal part of life, even for Jesus' closest disc…
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Last reviewed October 2026