Luke 4:38

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} he arose {G450} out of {G1537} the synagogue {G4864}, and entered {G1525} into {G1519} Simon's {G4613} house {G3614}. And {G1161} Simon's {G4613} wife's mother {G3994} was {G2258} taken with {G4912} a great {G3173} fever {G4446}; and {G2532} they besought {G2065} him {G846} for {G4012} her {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Leaving the synagogue, he went to Shim`on's house. Shim`on's mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked him to do something for her.

Berean Standard Bible

After Jesus had left the synagogue, He went to the home of Simon, whose mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever. So they appealed to Jesus on her behalf,

American Standard Version

And he rose up from the synagogue, and entered into the house of Simon. And Simon’s wife’s mother was holden with a great fever; and they besought him for her.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 4:38 marks a significant transition in Jesus' early Galilean ministry, moving from a public display of authority in the synagogue to a more intimate demonstration of compassion within the domestic sphere. Immediately following His powerful teaching and exorcism in Capernaum, Jesus enters the home of Simon Peter, where He is met with a plea for healing for Simon's mother-in-law, who is suffering from a severe fever. This verse sets the stage for Jesus' immediate and compassionate response, underscoring His holistic concern for human suffering, both spiritual and physical.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse directly follows Jesus' impactful day in the synagogue of Capernaum, as detailed in [Luke 4:31-37](/luke/4-31-37 "Luke 4:31-37 - Jesus Teaches and Casts Out a Demon in Capernaum"). There, Jesus taught with unparalleled authority, distinct from the scribes, and demonstrated His power over demonic forces by casting out an unclean spirit, leaving the crowds astonished. The transition from the public setting of the synagogue to the private home of Simon Peter highlights a crucial aspect of Jesus' ministry: His willingness to engage with human need wherever it presents itself, whether in a large public gathering or a quiet domestic crisis. This seamless shift emphasizes that His authority and compassion are not confined to formal religious spaces but extend to the everyday realities of life and suffering.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Capernaum, located on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee, served as a primary base for Jesus' Galilean ministry, making Simon Peter's home a central hub for His activities. Fevers were a common and often life-threatening ailment in the ancient world, with limited medical understanding or effective treatments. A "great fever" (Greek: _pyretos megas_) would have indicated a severe, possibly debilitating, and potentially fatal condition, far beyond a minor discomfort. The act of "beseeching" Jesus for healing reflects the common practice of seeking out healers for various maladies, but in this case, it carries the weight of desperate hope placed upon a recognized spiritual authority. Hospitality was also a deeply ingrained cultural value, and opening one's home to a revered teacher like Jesus was an honor, even if it meant bringing personal burdens to His attention.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 4:38 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel. It powerfully illustrates **Jesus' unwavering compassion and availability**, showing that even after a demanding public ministry, He readily attends to individual needs. This verse also reinforces the theme of **Jesus' divine authority over all forms of suffering**, extending His dominion from spiritual forces (as seen in [Luke 4:33-36](/luke/4-33-36 "Luke 4:33-36 - Jesus Casts Out a Demon")) to physical ailments. The act of "they besought him for her" introduces the theme of **intercession and communal faith**, demonstrating how the needs of one individual are brought to Jesus through the concern of others. Furthermore, this incident underscores Jesus' **holistic ministry**, which encompasses not only teaching and spiritual deliverance but also tangible physical healing, demonstrating His comprehensive care for human well-being, a theme consistently woven throughout [Luke's account](/luke/4 "Luke 4 - Jesus' Ministry Begins").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **arose (Greek, _anístēmi'_):** This verb, meaning "to stand up" or "to arise," signifies Jesus' active and immediate movement. It conveys a sense of purpose and readiness, indicating that He did not linger but promptly transitioned from one act of ministry to the next. It underscores His dynamic engagement with the needs around Him, rather than a passive or delayed response.
* **entered (Greek, _eisérchomai'_):** Composed of "eis" (into) and "erchomai" (to come), this word denotes a purposeful entry. It highlights Jesus' deliberate step from the public synagogue into the private, intimate space of Simon's home. This movement symbolizes His accessibility and willingness to bring His healing presence directly into the personal lives and domestic struggles of individuals, bridging the gap between sacred and secular spaces.
* **taken with (Greek, _synéchō'_):** This verb means "to hold together," "to compress," or "to be seized by." In the context of illness, it powerfully describes the severe grip the fever had on Simon's mother-in-law. It implies a condition that was overwhelming, debilitating, and consuming her, emphasizing the gravity of her sickness and, by extension, the remarkable nature of Jesus' subsequent healing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he arose out of the synagogue,"**: This clause marks Jesus' departure from the public teaching and healing setting. Having just demonstrated His authority and power in a formal religious space, Jesus now shifts His location, indicating a continuous and active ministry that transcends specific venues.
* **"and entered into Simon's house."**: This phrase signifies Jesus' transition to a private, domestic setting. His entry into Simon Peter's home highlights His personal relationships with His disciples and His willingness to bring His ministry into the intimate sphere of daily life, demonstrating His accessibility and the personal nature of His care.
* **"And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever;"**: This clause introduces the immediate need that Jesus encounters. The description of a "great fever" emphasizes the severity and potentially life-threatening nature of the illness, setting the stage for a significant miracle and underscoring the urgency of the situation.
* **"and they besought him for her."**: This final clause reveals the communal act of intercession. The "they" refers to those present in the house, likely Simon Peter and other disciples or family members. Their act of "beseeching" (Greek: _erōtáō_, to request or entreat) demonstrates their faith in Jesus' power and their compassionate concern for the sick woman, bringing her plight directly to the Lord.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 4:38 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Transition**, as the narrative seamlessly shifts Jesus' ministry from the public, formal setting of the synagogue to the private, informal space of Simon's home. This movement creates a powerful **Contrast** between Jesus' authoritative teaching and exorcism witnessed by crowds and His compassionate, personal healing within a family unit. This highlights the comprehensive nature of His mission. The mention of "Simon's wife's mother" and the collective "they besought him" emphasizes the theme of **Intercession**, where the community acts as a conduit for bringing individual suffering to Christ. This collective plea also serves as a form of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the numerous instances throughout the Gospels where Jesus responds to the needs brought to Him by others, demonstrating His constant availability and willingness to heal.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 4:38 powerfully illustrates the compassionate and comprehensive nature of Jesus' ministry, demonstrating that His authority extends beyond spiritual deliverance to encompass physical healing. It shows that Jesus is not only concerned with the public proclamation of the Kingdom but also with the intimate, personal suffering of individuals. The act of "beseeching" Him underscores the importance of intercessory prayer and the communal aspect of faith, where believers bring the needs of others before the Lord. This incident serves as a foundational example of Jesus' willingness to enter into human suffering and provide tangible relief, revealing His divine power and profound empathy for the sick and afflicted.

* [Matthew 8:14-15](/matthew/8-14-15 "Matthew 8:14-15 - Jesus Heals Peter's Mother-in-Law"): This parallel account in Matthew's Gospel confirms Jesus' immediate and effective healing of Peter's mother-in-law, highlighting His authority over sickness.
* [Mark 1:29-31](/mark/1-29-31 "Mark 1:29-31 - Jesus Heals Peter's Mother-in-Law"): Mark's concise narrative also records this event, emphasizing Jesus' direct action and the woman's immediate recovery and service.
* [James 5:14-16](/james/5-14-16 "James 5:14-16 - Prayer for the Sick"): This New Testament passage encourages believers to call on elders for prayer and anointing when sick, echoing the principle of intercession seen in Luke 4:38 and affirming God's continued power to heal through prayer.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 4:38 offers profound insights for believers today, inviting us to reflect on Jesus' character and our own response to suffering. Jesus' immediate transition from public ministry to a private act of compassion teaches us that genuine faith is not confined to formal settings but extends to the intimate spaces of our lives and relationships. His willingness to enter Simon's home, despite having just completed a demanding day, demonstrates His boundless availability and deep empathy for human need. This challenges us to cultivate a similar posture of readiness and compassion, to be attentive to the struggles of those around us, and to extend practical help and spiritual support. The act of "they besought him for her" is a powerful reminder of the importance of intercession. We are called to be people who actively bring the needs of others—our family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers—before the Lord in prayer, trusting in His power and willingness to intervene. This verse also encourages us to open our "homes" and lives to Jesus, allowing His presence to transform our personal spaces and relationships into arenas where His healing and grace can be manifested.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' transition from public to private ministry in this verse challenge your understanding of where and how God works in the world today?**
* **In what ways can you, like "they," actively intercede for those in your life who are suffering, both physically and spiritually?**
* **What does Jesus' immediate response to a "great fever" reveal about His compassion and authority over all forms of human brokenness?**
* **How can you make your own home or personal space a place where Jesus' presence is welcomed and His healing power can be experienced?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus go to Simon's house immediately after leaving the synagogue?**

Answer: Jesus' immediate departure from the synagogue and entry into Simon's house highlights His continuous and holistic ministry. Having just demonstrated His authority publicly through teaching and exorcism, Jesus seamlessly transitioned to address a private, domestic need. This shows that His compassion and power were not limited to formal religious settings but extended to the everyday realities of human suffering. It also underscores His close relationship with His disciples, particularly Simon Peter, and His willingness to engage with their personal lives. The narrative flow emphasizes Jesus' tireless dedication to healing and serving, regardless of the setting or the nature of the need.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 4:38, though a simple narrative of healing, profoundly points to the person and work of Jesus Christ as the ultimate Healer and compassionate Savior. His willingness to "arise out of the synagogue" and "enter into Simon's house" foreshadows His divine condescension in leaving His heavenly glory to "dwell among us" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Incarnation of the Word")). Just as He entered a physical home to address a physical ailment, He entered the human condition to bear the weight of our spiritual sickness and sin. The "great fever" afflicting Simon's mother-in-law is a microcosm of the greater human condition, "taken with" the fever of sin and its consequences, which leads to spiritual death. Jesus, the Great Physician, comes not only to heal physical infirmities but, more profoundly, to offer liberation from the spiritual sickness that plagues humanity. His subsequent healing act, though not explicitly detailed in this verse, points to His ultimate work on the cross, where He "himself bore our sins in his body on the tree" ([1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - Christ Bore Our Sins")), and by "his wounds you have been healed" ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - The Suffering Servant")). This verse, therefore, is a beautiful illustration of Christ's holistic redemptive work, addressing both the immediate physical suffering and pointing to the deeper spiritual healing He offers to all who "beseech him" in faith.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 8:14

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

Matthew 8:15

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

Mark 1:29

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

Mark 1:31

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

John 11:22

But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give [it] thee.

James 5:14

Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

James 5:15

And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.