PER058

Healing of the apostle Peter’s mother-in-law

This article examines Jesus' healing of Peter's mother-in-law in the town of Capernaum in Galilee. This miracle, reported in three Gospels, sheds light on Simon Peter's family and social setting, illustrating Jesus' power over illness and his consistency with Jewish religious practices.

3 min healing Peter Jesus Capernaum gospels 3 verses 3 books

Resources

Biblical texts

Matthew

Matthew 8.14-15 (King James Version)

And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever.

And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Mark

Mark 1.29-31 (King James Version)

And forthwith, when they were come out of the , they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.

But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.

And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Luke

Luke 4.38-39 (King James Version)

And he arose out of the , and entered into Simon’s house. And Simon’s wife’s mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her.

And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

John

John (King James Version) not cited in the book

Technical details

Location: In the town of Capernaum in Galilee

Date: On the of March 9, AD 31, after the address in the in Capernaum

Method: We continue with Mark

Note on the approach: Mark continues his account, with confirmation from Matthew and Luke

This healing takes place after the meeting at the

The healing of Peter's mother-in-law

Comments

We observe that Simon Peter and his brother Andrew lived together in their house in Capernaum. Since Simon Peter was married, his mother-in-law also lived with him. This house seems large enough to accommodate the whole family as well as guests. At the time, the common practice of sharing accommodation helped combat hardship and encouraged solidarity amid poverty.

Jesus the Messiah heals Peter's mother-in-law of her fever simply by taking her hand to help her get up. Luke adds a further detail: the Messiah verbally commanded the fever to leave the woman's body. She therefore did not witness the possessed man's deliverance. Once back on her feet, she attended to the meal.

Peter, co-author of Mark's Gospel, continues to be called Simon rather than Peter, as Jesus the Messiah had named him. We thus discover a hospitable family group that meets frequently.

Becoming disciples of Jesus the Messiah does not prevent them from continuing to attend the . Indeed, they seem to be welcomed, suggesting that their teaching does not contradict the principles of Judaism.

Guérison de la belle-mère de l’Apôtre Pierre. Cet article examine la guérison de la belle-mère de Pierre par Jésus, dans la ville de Capernaüm, en Galilée. Ce miracle, rapporté par trois évangiles, met en lumière le contexte familial et social autour de Simon-Pierre, illustrant la puissance de Jésus sur les maladies et sa cohérence avec les pratiques religieuses juives. Commentaires. Nous observons que Simon-Pierre et son frère, André, vivaient ensemble dans leur maison à Capernaüm. Simon-Pierre, étant marié, hébergeait également sa belle-mère. Cette maison semble assez grande pour accueillir toute la famille ainsi que des invités. À l’époque, la pratique courante de partager le logement contribuait à lutter contre la précarité et favorisait la solidarité dans un contexte de pauvreté. Le Messie Jésus guérit la belle-mère de Pierre de la fièvre simplement en lui prenant la main pour l’aider à se lever. Luc apporte une précision supplémentaire : le Messie a ordonné verbalement à la fièvre de quitter le corps de la femme. Elle n’a donc pas assisté à la délivrance de l'homme possédé. Une fois remise sur pieds, elle s’occupa du repas. Pierre, co-auteur de l’Évangile de Marc, continue à être appelé Simon, et non Pierre, comme l'avait indiqué le Messie Jésus. Nous découvrons ainsi un groupe familial hospitalier qui se réunit fréquemment. Le fait de devenir disciples du Messie Jésus ne les empêche pas de continuer à fréquenter la synagogue. D’ailleurs, ils semblent bien accueillis, ce qui suggère que leur enseignement ne contredit pas les principes du judaïsme.