He rose up from the synagogue, and entered into Simon’s house. Simon’s mother-in-law was afflicted with a great fever, and they begged him for her. He stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her. Immediately she rose up and served them. When the sun was setting, all those who had any sick with various diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. Demons also came out of many, crying out, and saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of God!” Rebuking them, he didn’t allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.
Parallel Translations
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He rose up from the synagogue, and entered into Simon’s house. Simon’s mother-in-law was afflicted with a great fever, and they begged him for her.
He stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her. Immediately she rose up and served them.
When the sun was setting, all those who had any sick with various diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.
Demons also came out of many, crying out, and saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of God!” Rebuking them, he didn’t allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.
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And he roose vp and came oute of the sinagoge and entred in to Simons housse. And Simons motherelawe was take with a greate fever and they made intercession to him for her.
And he stode over her and rebuked the fever: and it leeft her. And immediatly she arose and ministred vnto them.
When the sonne was doune all they that had sicke take with divers deseases brought them vnto him: and he layde his hondes on every one of them and healed them.
And devils also cam out of many of them crying and saying: thou arte Christ the sonne of God. And he rebuked them and suffered them not to speake: for they knewe that he was Christ.
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And he rose vp, and came out of the Synagogue, and entred into Simons house. And Simons wiues mother was taken with a great feuer, and they required him for her.
Then he stoode ouer her, and rebuked the feuer, and it left her, and immediatly she arose, and ministred vnto them.
Now at the sunne setting, all they that had sicke folkes of diuers diseases, brought them vnto him, and he layd his hands on euery one of them, and healed them.
And deuils also came out of many, crying, and saying, Thou art that Christ that Sonne of God: but he rebuked them, and suffered them not to say that they knewe him to be that Christ.
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Cross-references (35)
- Matthew 8:16-17 (v40) When evening came, they brought to him many possessed with demons. He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick; that…
- Mark 1:32-34 (v40) At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to him all who were sick, and those who were possessed by demons. All the city was gathered…
- Mark 1:34 (v41) He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. He didn’t allow the demons to speak, because they knew him.
- Matthew 8:14-15 (v38) When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her. She got…
- Mark 1:29-31 (v38) Immediately, when they had come out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s wife’s…
Show all 35 cross-references
- Luke 4:41 (v39) Demons also came out of many, crying out, and saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of God!” Rebuking them, he didn’t allow them to speak,…
- Luke 4:35 (v39) Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” When the demon had thrown him down in the middle of them, he came out of him,…
- Mark 5:23 (v40) and begged him much, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Please come and lay your hands on her, that she may be made…
- James 2:19 (v41) You believe that God is one. You do well. The demons also believe, and shudder.
- Mark 3:10 (v40) For he had healed many, so that as many as had diseases pressed on him that they might touch him.
- Luke 4:34-35 (v41) saying, “Ah! what have we to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of God!” Jesus…
- John 11:22 (v38) Even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.”
- Acts 16:17-18 (v41) Following Paul and us, she cried out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us a way of salvation!” She was doing…
- James 5:14-15 (v38) Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the assembly, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the…
- Matthew 4:3 (v41) The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
- Matthew 11:5 (v40) the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news…
- Matthew 14:13 (v40) Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat, to a deserted place apart. When the multitudes heard it, they followed him on…
- Matthew 15:23 (v38) But he answered her not a word. His disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away; for she cries after us.”
- Mark 3:11 (v41) The unclean spirits, whenever they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, “You are the Son of God!”
- Luke 7:3-4 (v38) When he heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and save his servant. When they came to Jesus, they begged…
- Luke 7:21-23 (v40) In that hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits; and to many who were blind he gave sight. Jesus answered them, “Go and…
- Luke 8:24 (v39) They came to him, and awoke him, saying, “Master, master, we are dying!” He awoke, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water, and…
- John 11:3 (v38) The sisters therefore sent to him, saying, “Lord, behold, he for whom you have great affection is sick.”
- John 20:31 (v41) but these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.
- Acts 5:15 (v40) They even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on cots and mattresses, so that as Peter came by, at the least his shadow…
- Acts 19:12 (v40) so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were carried away from his body to the sick, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits…
- 1 Corinthians 9:5 (v38) Have we no right to take along a wife who is a believer, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?
- Matthew 4:23-24 (v40) Jesus went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every…
- Matthew 26:63 (v41) But Jesus held his peace. The high priest answered him, “I adjure you by the living God, that you tell us whether you are the Christ, the…
- Luke 8:2-3 (v39) and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out;…
- Psalms 116:12 (v39) What will I give to Yahweh for all his benefits toward me?
- Matthew 8:29 (v41) Behold, they cried out, saying, “What do we have to do with you, Jesus, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?”
- Mark 1:25 (v41) Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!”
- Mark 6:55-56 (v40) and ran around that whole region, and began to bring those who were sick, on their mats, to where they heard he was. Wherever he entered,…
- 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (v39) For the love of Christ constrains us; because we judge thus, that one died for all, therefore all died. He died for all, that those who…
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (19 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv38, 41 In that, that Christ healeth the diseases of the…
In that, that Christ healeth the diseases of the body with his word only, he proveth that he is God Almighty, sent for man’s salvation.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv38, 40 We met with this history both in Matthew and…
We met with this history both in Matthew and Mark. See Poole on "Mat 8:14", and following verses to Mat 8:15. See Poole on "Mar 1:29", and following verses to Mar 1:31.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain On vv38, 40 Here observe, 1. That St. Peter, a disciple, yea,…
Here observe, 1. That St. Peter, a disciple, yea, an apostle, was a married person. Neither the prophets of the Old Testament, nor the apostles of the New, did abhor the marriage bed, nor judge themselves too pure for an institution of their maker. The church of Rome, by denying the lawfulness of priests’ marriage, makes herself wiser than God, who says, Marriage is honorable amongst all men. Heb 13:4
Observe, 2. Peter, though a good man, and his wife’s mother probably a gracious woman, yet is his family visited with sickness: strength of grace, and dearness of respect even from Christ himself, cannot prevail against diseases. God’s own children are visited with bodily sickness as well as others.
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Observe, 3. The divine power of Christ manifested in this miraculous course: He stood over her, says St. Luke; He took her by the hand, and lifted her up, says St. Mark.
Here was an ordinary distemper cured after an extraordinary manner, by a touch of Christ’s hand in an instant: Immediately the fever left her, and she arose and ministered unto them. That she could arise argued her cure miraculous; that she could and did arise, and administer to Christ and his disciples, argued her thankfulness.
After Christ hath healed any of us, it ought to be our first care to administer unto him: that is, to employ our recovered strength in the service of Christ, and to improve our restored health to the honor and glory of Christ.
William Burkitt's Expository Notes on the New Testament (1700–1703) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv38–41 And he stood over her,.... "At her head", as…
And he stood over her,.... "At her head", as the Persic version reads: he inclined himself towards her, to see how she did, and to take her by the hand, and lift her up;
and rebuked the fever. The Syriac and Persic versions read, "her fever", that which was upon her;
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and it left her, as Mark says, "immediately"; as soon as ever he had touched her hand, and rebuked the fever, and bid it be gone:
and immediately she arose, and ministered unto them; See Gill on Mat 8:15.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv38, 40 Matt. viii, 14; Mark i, 29.
Matt. viii, 14; Mark i, 29.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv38, 40 Verse 38. Simon's wife's mother] See Clarke on Mt…
Verse 38. Simon's wife's mother] See Clarke on Mt 8:14-17. 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 person who knows the virtue and authority of Christ should earnestly seek his grace in behalf of all the spiritually diseased in his household; nor can he seek the aid of Christ in vain.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On v38 Luk 4:38-44. He entered into Simon’s house — See…
Luk 4:38-44. He entered into Simon’s house — See notes on Mat 8:14-17; and Mar 1:29-35. When the sun was setting — And consequently the sabbath ended, which they considered as continuing from sunset to sunset; all that had any sick brought them — Fully persuaded that he could and would heal them; which he accordingly did; he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them — Like the Pharisees, they seem to have questioned whether it was lawful for him to do cures on the sabbath day. Reader, he is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever: he is still able to do cures, and is he not willing? Try him: bring thy sick soul, or even thy sick body, or that of thy relative or friend, to him in prayer, and have faith in him, that he can and will heal it. Remember, His eyes are over the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayers — None ever trusted in him and were confounded. See note on Mar 11:22-24.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv38, 40, 41 It is evident that St. Peter was married; but…
It is evident that St. Peter was married; but after his call to the apostleship, he left his wife, as St. Jerome writes, in ep. xliii. Chap. ii. ad Julianum, and lib. i. adv. Jovin. See Matthew xix. 29.
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On v41 PETER'S MOTHER-IN-LAW AND MANY OTHERS, HEALED. (Luk 4:38-41)
PETER'S MOTHER-IN-LAW AND MANY OTHERS, HEALED. (Luk 4:38-41)
suffered them not to speak--The marginal reading ("to say that they knew him to be Christ") here is wrong. Our Lord ever refused testimony from devils, for the very reason why they were eager to give it, because He and they would thus seem to be one interest, as His enemies actually alleged. (See on Mat 12:24, &c.; see also Act 16:16-18.)
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On v38 § 28. PETER’S WIFE’S MOTHER HEALED; THE MIRACLES IN…
§ 28. PETER’S WIFE’S MOTHER HEALED; THE MIRACLES IN GALILEE, Luk_4:38-44.
Mat_8:14-25; Mar_1:29-39. See notes on parallel passages.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv38–41 38, 39. The Healing of Simon’s Wife’s Mother
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” (Luk_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 were of Bethsaida (House of Fish), (Joh_1:44; Joh_12:21), a little fishing village, as its name imports, now Ain et Tabijah or ‘the Spring of the Figtree,’ where, alone on the Sea of Galilee, there is a little strip of bright hard sand. St Luke does not mention this Bethsaida, though he mentions another at the northern end of the Lake (Luk_9:10). It was so near Capernaum that our Lord may have walked thither, or possibly Simon’s mother-in-law may have had a house at Capernaum. It is a remarkable indication of the little cloud of misunderstanding that seems to have risen between Jesus and those of His own house (Mat_13:57; Joh_4:44), that though they were then living at Capernaum (Mat_9:1; Mat_17:24)—having perhaps been driven there by the hostility of the Nazarenes—their home was not His home.
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Simon’s wife’s mother] “St Peter, the Apostle of Christ, who was himself a married man.” Marriage Service. She seems afterwards to have travelled with him (1Co_9:5). Her (most improbable) traditional name was Concordia or Perpetua (Grabe, Spicil. Patr. i. 330).
with a great fever] St Luke, being a physician, uses the technical medical distinction of the ancients, which divided fevers into ‘great’ and ‘little’ (Galen). For other medical and psychological touches see Luk_5:12, Luk_6:6, Luk_22:50-51; Act_3:6-8; Act_4:22; Act_9:33, &c.
they besought him] not, as elsewhere, the imperfect (Joh_4:47), but the aorist, implying that they only had to ask Him once. St Mark confirms this when he says (Luk_1:30), “immediately they speak to Him about her.”
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv38, 40 (38, 39) And he arose out of the synagogue.—.…
(38, 39) And he arose out of the synagogue.—. See Notes on Mat_8:14 Peculiar to St. Luke and indicating what we may venture to call accurate diagnosis, are the “great fever,” our Lord’s “rebuking” the fever, and the “immediate” rising to minister.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv38, 40, 41 And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered…
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. This abrupt mention of Peter (Simon) for the first time, without any explanatory notice, tells us that when St. Luke wrote his Gospel Peter was well known and honored in all the Churches. The Lord"s choice of one who was already married, the subsequent favor showed to him, the high position evidently accorded to him in the Church of the first days, is a perpetual protest against the exaggerated asceticism which later was so earnestly taught in ecclesiastical Christianity. The epithet "great," applied to the fever, was a well-known technical term; it was used by Galen of fevers. There are several expressions in this Gospel which remind us that the author was a trained physician.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv38, 40 And He arose out of the synagogue and entered…
Luk_4:38-39
And He arose out of the synagogue and entered into Simons house
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Simons wifes mother
Suffering is to be found everywhere, in the public synagogue and in the private house.
Even Peters house was not exempt. The chosen ones are tried as by fire, and the rod proves their election. (J. Parker, D. D.)
Simons house
How came Peter to have a house at Capernaum? Poor fishermen do not often have two houses, May it not be that, finding the Lord Jesus was frequently at Capernaum, Peter thought it best to have a dwelling there, that he might be always present when the Master was preaching, and that he might do his best to entertain Him between whiles? I like to think that the servant changed his place of abode for the Masters sake. Would it not be well if many Christian people had some little consideration when they are choosing a house, as to whether it will be convenient for the hearing of the Word? (C. H. Spurgeon.)
Sickness produces seriousness
Professor Henry Drummond, the author of Natural Law in the Spiritual World, has been very earnestly at work in the revival in the Edinburgh University. His addresses have been intensely evangelical, and have been wondrously powerful in their effects on the students. One anecdote seemed to have touched them deeply. Substantially it was to this effect:--Some years ago, in the University, there was a fine, manly fellow, a medical student, a very Hercules in strength, but as gentle and lovable as he was strong. He was immensely popular, the captain of the football club, and not a cricket match was considered complete without him. He was a man of good intellectual gifts as well. He caught typhoid fever while attending the Royal Infirmary, and soon he lay dying in a private ward. One of the house physicians, an earnest Christian and successful soul-winner, spoke to him about God and eternity. The dear fellow listened, became anxious, and eagerly heard the story of redeeming love. Will you give yourself to Jesus? asked the doctor. He did not answer for a space, and then, earnestly regarding the man of God, he said, But dont you think it would be awful mean just to make it up now, at my last gasp, with One I have rejected all my life? Yes, it would be mean; but, dear fellow, it would be far meaner not to do it. He wants you to do it now, for He has made you willing, and it would be doubly mean to reject a love that is pursuing you even to death. The dying man saw the point, and apprehending the greatness of that exceeding love, he cast himself upon the Eternal Heart of Mercy and passed away in sweet peace and blessedness.
Blessed results of sickness
When God would rescue a man from that unreal world of names and mere knowledge, He does what He did with Job--He strips him of his flocks, and his herds, and his wealth; or else, whatis the equivalent, of the power of enjoying them--the desire of his eyes falls from him at a stroke. Things become real then. Trial brings man face to face with God--God and he touch; and the flimsy veil of bright cloud that hung between him and the sky is blown away; he feels that he is standing outside the earth with nothing between him and the Eternal Infinite. Oh I there is something in the sick-bed, and the aching heart, and the restlessness and the languor of shattered health, and the sorrow of affections withered, and the stream of life poisoned at its fountain, and the cold, lonely feeling of utter rawness of heart which is felt when God strikes home in earnest that forces a man to feel what is real and what is not. This is the blessing of affliction to those who will lie still and not struggle in a cowardly or a resentful way. It is God speaking to Job out of the whirlwind, and saying: In the sunshine and the warmth you cannot meet Me; but in the hurricane and the darkness, when wave after wave has swept down and across the soul, you shall see My Form, and hear My Voice, and know that your Redeemer liveth. (F. W. Robertson.)
The ministry of gratitude
I. The fact that this restored woman began at once to minister to Christ and to His disciples proves THE CERTAINTY OF HER CURE; and there are no better ways of proving the thoroughness of our conversion than by conduct similar to hers. Suppose the patient had lain there and had begun to talk about how she felt, how much better she was, what a strange sensation passed through her when the Saviour rebuked the disease, and how strangely well she felt; yet if she had not risen up, but had lain there still, there would have been no evidence of her restoration, at any rate none that you or I could judge of. So when persons tell us that they have felt great changes of heart, we must see their outward ministerings for Christ. If their actions be holy, if their lives be purified, then shall we know, but not till then, that their nature is renewed. Suppose this good woman, still lying upon her bed, had begun to say, Well, I hope I am healed, and had begun to express some feeble expectation that one day she would be able to exercise the functions of health, we could not have known that she was restored. Something more was wanted than mere hopes and expectations. Note the nature of the acts which this restored woman performed, because they are symbolical of the best form of actions by which to judge of a person being renewed.
1. Her duties were humble ones. She was probably the head of the household, and she began at once to discharge the duties of a housewife: duties unostentatious and commonplace. Attention to humble duties is a better sign of grace than an ambition for lofty and elevated works.
2. Remember, too, that this good woman attended to home duties. She did not go down the street a hundred yards off to glorify Christ; she, I daresay, did that afterwards; but she began at home: charity begins there, and so should piety. That is the best religion which is most at home at home. Grace which smiles around the family hearth is grace indeed.
3. She attended to suitable duties, duties consistent with her sex and condition. She did not try to be what God had not made her, but did what she could.
4. One other point before leaving this; these things become a conclusive proof of grace in the heart, when they are voluntarily rendered as this good womans ministry was. I do not read that she was asked to do anything for Christ, but it suggested itself to her at once, without command or request. Her work was done promptly, for immediately she arose and did it. Promptness is the soul of obedience.
II. This womans ministry showed THE PERFECTION OF HER CURE. And, beloved, it is one mark of a work of grace in the soul when the converted man becomes at once a servant of Christ. The human theory of moral reformations makes time a great element in its operations. If you are to reclaim a great offender you must win him from one vice first, and then from another; you must put him through a process of education by which he gradually perceives that what he has been accustomed to do is bad for himself, and wakes up to the conviction that honesty and sobriety will be the best for his own profit. Time is required by the moral reformer, or he cannot develop his plans. He ridicules the idea of effecting anything in an hour or two.
III. Peters wifes mother, in ministering to Christ proved HER OWN GRATITUDE. Her acts of hospitality were an exhibition of her thankfulness. Brethren, if we want to evidence our gratitude to Christ we had better do it in the same way as she did.
IV. This womans ministering to Christ proved THE CONDESCENSION OF THE PHYSICIAN. He who healed her of the fever did not need her to minister to Him; He who had power to heal diseases had certainly power to subsist without human ministry. If Christ could raise her up, He must be omnipotent and Divine; what need, then, had He of a womans service? Yet He condescended to accept it. What condescension that He should accept ministry from His own creatures; what gentleness that He so often chose womans ministry. He came to earth, and the first garments of His infancy were wrapped about Him by a womans hands, and here He dwelt till at last He died, and holy women bound Him up in the cerements of the tomb and laid Him in the sepulchre. It seems easy enough to believe that the Blessed Virgin and Mary Magdalene and other holy women were honoured of God; but that you, dear sister, should be allowed to take a part in His service--is not this marvellous? Will you not bless Him, and minister with the utmost cheerfulness because you feel it to be so great a grace? (C. H. Spurgeon.)
All may minister for God
On our birthdays our little children love to give their father something, if it is only a bunch of flowers out of the garden, or a fourpenny piece with a hole in it; they like to do it to show their love; and wise parents will be sure to let their children do such things for them. So is it with our great Father in heaven. What are our Sunday-school teachings and our preachings, and all that, but these cracked fourpenny pieces? Just nothing at all; but the Lord allows us to do His work for His own loves sake. His love to us finds a sweetness in our love to Him. I am most thankful that in the Church there is room for such a variety of ministries. Some brethren are so queerly constituted that I cannot tell what they were made for; but I believe if they are Gods people there is a place for them in His spiritual temple. A man who was accustomed to buy timber and work it up, on one occasion found a very crooked stick of wood in his bargain, and said to his son as he put it aside. I cannot tell, John, whatever I shall do with it; it is the ugliest shaped piece I ever bought in my life; but it so happened while building a barn that he wanted a timber exactly of that shape, and it fitted in so thoroughly well that he said, It really seems as if that tree grew on purpose for that corner. So our gracious Lord has arranged His Church, so that every crooked stick will fit in somewhere or other, if it be only a tree of His own right hand planting: He has made it with a purpose, and knows when it will answer that purpose. How this ought to rebuke any who say, I do not see what I can do. Dear friend, there is a peculiar work for you; find it out--and methinks it will not be far off: the exercise of a little reflection will soon enable you to discover it. Be grateful that this is a certain fact, without exception, that every child of God who has been healed has some ministry which he can render to Christ, and which he ought to render at once. Bless God, dear brother, that He counts you worthy to suffer for His names sake. You know the old story of Sir Walter Raleigh. When Queen Elizabeth, one day, came to a miry place in the road, he took off his cloak for her to walk upon. Did he regret it? No, he was delighted at it, and half the court wished for another muddy place that they might be able to do the same. Oh, you that love your Lord, be willing to lie down for Christs sake, and pave the miry parts of the way by being despised for His names sake. This honour you should covet, and should not shun. Arise and minister, ye healed ones; and as for you who are not healed, may you believe in Him who is able to restore you with His touch. He is mighty to save. Believe in Him and you shall live. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
A sympathetic physician
The pious, good-natured Dr. Helm had no time, as he was wont to say, to get ill. Always busy, ever pleased to visit the cottage of the poorest as the mansions of the rich, all classes of Berlin joined to do honour to the good old man on the jubilee of his fiftieth year of service. The festivities lasted three days. The constant noise and excitement had made the doctor more than usually tired. Late at night a poor woman came to beg him to visit her child, who was taken suddenly ill. The servants had orders to send all applications away, as the doctor felt he needed rest; but the woman, knowing the house, managed to get to the doctors private room to plead her cause. Still Dr. Heim said he could not go. After all had retired to rest Madame Heim said to her husband, What is the matter with you, doctor? Why dont you sleep? Because I cant, he said; its a curious thing with my conscience; I must go and see that child. He rang the bell, and forgetting his fatigue, ran to the sick child, whom he was the means of restoring to health. After the visit he returned and slept soundly. (Baxendales Anecdotes.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain On v38 38, 39. Simon's wife's mother. See notes on Matt.…
38, 39. Simon's wife's mother. See notes on Matt. 8:14–17. Compare Mark 1:29–34.
B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.
J. W. McGarvey 1914 · Public Domain On v38 J. W. McGarvey's The Fourfold Gospel [XXXII. Healing Peter's…
J. W. McGarvey's The Fourfold Gospel [XXXII. Healing Peter's Mother-in-Law].
XXXII. HEALING PETER'S MOTHER-IN-LAW AND MANY OTHERS. (At Capernaum.) aMATT. VIII. 14-17; bMARK I. 29-34; cLUKE IV. 38-41.
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c38 And he arose out of the synagogue [where he had just healed the demoniac], b29 And straightway, when they were come out of the synagogue, they came centered binto the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. [Peter and Andrew had dwelt at Bethsaida ( Joh_1:44). They may have removed to Capernaum, or Bethsaida, being near by, may be here counted as a part, or suburb, of Capernaum. Its name does not contradict this view, for it means "house of fishing" or "fishery."] 30 Now Simon's wife's mother lay sick of { cwas holden with a great fever. [The Papists, who claim that Peter was the first pope, must confess that he was married at this time, and continued to be so for years afterwards ( 1Co_9:5). Celibacy is unauthorized by Scripture ( Heb_13:4). God says it is not good ( Gen_2:18). Luke speaks as a physician; for Galen, the father of medicine, divided fevers into little and great.] a14 And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother lying sick of a fever. band straightway they tell him of her: cand they besought him for her. [Their interest in her shows the spirit of love and kindness which pervaded the home.] b31 and he came c39 And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever [Though it was an inanimate force, it was still subject to rebuke, as were the winds and waves of Galilee-- Mat_8:26]; a15 And he touched her hand, band took her by the hand, and raised her up [thus showing the miracle came from him, and that he felt a tender interest in the sufferer]; cand it bthe fever cleft her: and immediately she rose up aarose, band she ministered unto them. ahim. [Her complete recovery emphasized the miracle. Such fevers invariably leave the patient weak, [170] and the period of convalescence is long and trying, and often full of danger. She showed her gratitude by her ministry.] b32 And at even, awhen even was come, cwhen the sun was setting, bdid set, call they that had any sick with divers diseases, brought them unto him; bthey brought unto him all that were sick, and them amany bthat were possessed with demons. [Their delay till sundown was unquestionably caused by the traditional law of the Sabbath which forbade men to carry any burden on that day ( Joh_5:10). The Sabbath closed at sundown ( Lev_23:32). The distinction is drawn between the sick and the demon-possessed. Lightfoot gives two reasons why demoniacal possession was so common at that time, viz.: 1, the intense wickedness of the nation; 2, the addiction of the nation to magic, whereby the people invited evil spirits to be familiar with them.] cand he laid his hands on every one of them, aand he cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all cthem athat were sick: 17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet [ Isa_53:4], saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our diseases. [Isaiah's vision is progressive; he sees, first, a man of sorrows; second, a man sorrowful because he bore the sickness and sorrows of others; third, a man who also bore sin, and healed the souls of others by so doing. Such was the order of Christ's life. His early years were spent in poverty and obscurity; his days of ministry in bearing, by sympathy and compassion, the sicknesses and sorrows of others ( Joh_11:35, Mar_14:34); and in the hour of his crucifixion, he became the world's sin-bearer-- Joh_1:29, 1Pe_2:24.] b33 And all the city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many demons; c41 And demons also came out from many, crying out, and saying, Thou art the Son of God. And rebuking them, he suffered them bthe demons cnot to speak, bbecause they knew him. cthat he was Christ. [Those who are disposed to frequent spiritual seances and to seek information from mediums should remember that the Son of God permitted his disciples to receive no information from such sources. He forbade demons to speak in the presence of his own, even on the most important of all topics.] [171]
[FFG 169-170]
J. W. McGarvey (with Philip Y. Pendleton), Commentaries on the New Testament (The Fourfold Gospel, 1914; Acts; and the epistles) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On vv38, 40 The healing of Peter’s mother-in-law:
The healing of Peter’s mother-in-law:
v. 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.
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v. 39. And He stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her; and immediately she arose and ministered unto them.
From the synagogue Jesus went directly to the home of Simon Peter, of whose call Luke tells in the next chapter. Having lived at Bethsaida formerly, Simon had moved to Capernaum, where he lived with his family, to which the mother of his wife belonged. Evidently, Scripture knows nothing of the foolish unkindness which is now so commonly shown to those to whom relevance and honor is due. This aged woman, at any rate, must have been esteemed very highly in the house of her son-in-law, for when she was prostrated with a fever, severely afflicted with the severity of the attack, they, the members of the family, made intercession for her to Jesus. The Lord immediately signified His willingness. Stepping to the cot on which she was lying, He raised Himself in the fullness of His majesty, He threatened the fever, and it obeyed His voice. The healing was immediate and complete. If in any family someone becomes a disciple of Jesus, there is a path between that house and heaven, guarded by angels. Not only in temporal things, but especially in spiritual matters blessings will attend such a house where a faithful soul prays. And the subsequent serving of the mother-in-law of Peter after healing shows that the beautiful, but rare plant of gratitude nourished in that house.
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv38, 40 Connecting Statement:
Connecting Statement:
Jesus is still in Capernaum, but he is now at the house of Simon, where he heals Simon's mother-in-law and many people.
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Then Jesus left
This introduces a new event. (See: Introduction of a New Event)
Simon's mother-in-law
"the mother of Simon's wife"
was suffering with
This is an idiom that means "was very sick with" (See: Idiom)
a high fever ... rebuked the fever
"very hot skin ... heat" or "very hot skin ... rebuked the hotness"
pleaded with him on her behalf
This means they asked Jesus to heal her from the fever. This can be stated clearly. AT: "asked Jesus to heal her from the fever" or "asked Jesus to cure her fever" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
So he stood
The word "So" makes it clear that he did this because the people pleaded with him on behalf of Simon's mother-in-law.
stood over her
"went to her and leaned over her"
rebuked the fever, and it left her
"spoke sternly to the fever, and it left her" or "commanded the fever to leave her, and it did." It may be helpful to state clearly what he told the fever to do. AT: "commanded that her skin should become cool, and it did" or "commanded the sickness to leave her, and it did" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
started serving them
Here this means she began to prepare food for Jesus and the other people in the house.
translationWords
Peter
plea
servant
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv38, 39, 41 4:38 Simon’s home: Simon was from Bethsaida (John 1:44),…
4:38 Simon’s home: Simon was from Bethsaida (John 1:44), but his present home and fishing business were in Capernaum. • Simon’s mother-in-law: Peter was married (see 1 Cor 9:5), but his wife is not named.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.