Matthew 8:14

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} when Jesus {G2424} was come {G2064} into {G1519} Peter's {G4074} house {G3614}, he saw {G1492} his {G846} wife's mother {G3994} laid {G906}, and {G2532} sick of a fever {G4445}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua went to Kefa's home and there saw Kefa's mother-in-law sick in bed with a fever.

Berean Standard Bible

When Jesus arrived at Peter’s house, He saw Peter’s mother-in-law sick in bed with a fever.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 8:14 offers a poignant glimpse into Jesus' personal ministry, depicting His arrival at Peter's home in Capernaum where He encounters Peter's wife's mother afflicted by a severe fever. This seemingly simple domestic scene sets the stage for a powerful display of Jesus' compassionate authority over illness, demonstrating that His redemptive work extends beyond public miracles into the intimate spaces of human suffering and family life.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within a series of miraculous healings in [Matthew 8](/matthew/8 "Matthew 8 - Miracles of Jesus"), immediately following Jesus' public healing of a leper ([Matthew 8:1-4](/matthew/8-1-4 "Matthew 8:1-4 - Healing of a Leper")) and the astonishing long-distance healing of the centurion's servant ([Matthew 8:5-13](/matthew/8-5-13 "Matthew 8:5-13 - Healing of the Centurion's Servant")). While the preceding miracles showcase Jesus' authority over social outcasts and Gentile petitioners, His entry into Peter's home shifts the focus to a more private, domestic setting, emphasizing His accessibility and concern for the intimate needs of His disciples and their families. This account is also corroborated in the synoptic Gospels, with [Mark 1:29-31](/mark/1-29-31 "Mark 1:29-31 - Peter's Mother-in-Law Healed") and [Luke 4:38-39](/luke/4-38-39 "Luke 4:38-39 - Peter's Mother-in-Law Healed") providing parallel narratives that highlight the immediacy and completeness of the healing. The subsequent verses in [Matthew 8:16-17](/matthew/8-16-17 "Matthew 8:16-17 - Jesus Heals Many") then broaden the scope again, showing Jesus healing many others who were brought to Him, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' visit to Peter's house likely occurred in Capernaum, a fishing village on the Sea of Galilee that served as Jesus' primary base of operations during His Galilean ministry ([Matthew 4:13](/matthew/4-13 "Matthew 4:13 - Jesus Settles in Capernaum")). Jewish homes of this period, particularly in fishing communities, were typically modest, often simple, one-story structures built around a courtyard, and it was common for extended families to live together. The mention of "Peter's wife's mother" clearly indicates that Peter, one of Jesus' chief disciples, was married, a detail that provides a rare and significant insight into the personal lives of the apostles, contrasting with later traditions of clerical celibacy. Hospitality was a deeply ingrained cultural value in ancient Israel, and it would have been customary for Peter to host Jesus and His disciples. The illness, described as a "fever," was a common and often serious ailment in the ancient world, frequently a symptom of various infections, and could be debilitating or even fatal without modern medicine.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, though brief, contributes to several significant themes within Matthew's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores **Jesus' Personal Accessibility and Compassion**, demonstrating His willingness to enter private homes and address individual suffering, not just perform public displays of power. This aligns with His character as one who "had compassion on them" ([Matthew 9:36](/matthew/9-36 "Matthew 9:36 - Jesus' Compassion for the Crowds")). The detail of Peter's "wife's mother" highlights the **Humanity and Relatability of the Disciples**, showing that even those called to follow Jesus had ordinary family lives and responsibilities. Furthermore, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **Divine Authority Over Sickness**, setting the immediate context for Jesus' swift and complete healing, which showcases His power not only over spiritual maladies but also over physical ailments, a hallmark of His messianic identity as seen throughout [Matthew 8](/matthew/8 "Matthew 8 - Miracles of Jesus").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **saw (Greek, _eídō'_):** G1492 (eídō) is a primary verb meaning "to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know." Here, it signifies Jesus' direct observation of the woman's condition. It's not merely a casual glance but an act of perceiving her state, implying an immediate understanding of her suffering and need. This "seeing" often precedes Jesus' compassionate action.
* **house (Greek, _oikía'_):** G3614 (oikía) refers to a "residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics)." In this context, it literally denotes Peter's physical dwelling, but it also carries the connotation of Peter's household or family unit. Jesus' entry into this "house" signifies His willingness to engage with the domestic and personal spheres of life, extending His ministry beyond the public square.
* **sick of a fever (Greek, _pyréssō'_):** G4445 (pyréssō) means "to be on fire, i.e. (specially), to have a fever." This term vividly describes the woman's condition as one of intense internal heat, indicating a significant and debilitating illness. The description emphasizes the severity of her affliction, setting the stage for the dramatic and immediate nature of Jesus' healing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when Jesus was come into Peter's house":** This clause establishes the setting and the primary actor. Jesus, having just performed significant public miracles, intentionally enters the private dwelling of His disciple, Peter. This act underscores His personal relationship with His followers and His willingness to bring His ministry into the intimate spaces of their lives, not just public arenas. It also highlights the hospitality extended by Peter.
* **"he saw his wife's mother laid":** Upon entering, Jesus' attention is immediately drawn to Peter's mother-in-law. The word "laid" (from G906, _bállō_, meaning "to throw" or "to lay") implies that she was confined to bed, indicating the severity of her condition. This detail provides a crucial piece of information about Peter's marital status and introduces the object of Jesus' compassionate gaze.
* **"and sick of a fever":** This final phrase specifies the nature of her affliction. The "fever" (G4445, _pyréssō_) indicates a debilitating illness, likely accompanied by high temperature and weakness, rendering her incapacitated. This medical detail not only explains why she was "laid" but also sets up the immediate need for divine intervention, showcasing the profound human suffering that Jesus encounters and is about to address.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew employs **Narrative Simplicity** in this verse, presenting the scene with direct and unadorned language. The focus is on the essential actions: Jesus' arrival, His observation, and the woman's condition. This simplicity allows the profound theological implications of Jesus' presence and impending action to stand out without distraction. There is also an element of **Foreshadowing**, as the description of the woman's severe illness immediately anticipates and highlights the power of Jesus' subsequent healing, which is described in the very next verse. The contrast between Jesus' public miracles and this private encounter also serves as a subtle **Juxtaposition**, demonstrating the breadth and depth of His ministry, extending from large crowds to individual family members.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 8:14 serves as a powerful testament to Jesus' holistic concern for humanity, extending His divine compassion and authority into the most intimate and often overlooked spheres of life – the home and family. It reveals that no suffering is too small or too personal for the Lord's attention. Just as He healed the leper and the centurion's servant, demonstrating power over social and ethnic boundaries, here He demonstrates His care for the domestic well-being of His disciples. This incident underscores the truth that Jesus is not a distant deity but one who enters into our daily realities, sees our afflictions, and is moved to act. It also subtly affirms the sanctity of family life and the reality of human illness within the lives of even those closest to Christ.

* [Mark 1:29-31](/mark/1-29-31 "Mark 1:29-31 - Peter's Mother-in-Law Healed and Serves")
* [Luke 4:38-39](/luke/4-38-39 "Luke 4:38-39 - Peter's Mother-in-Law Healed")
* [Matthew 9:35-36](/matthew/9-35-36 "Matthew 9:35-36 - Jesus' Compassion for the Crowds")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 8:14 invites us to consider the profound truth that Jesus is intimately concerned with the details of our lives, especially within our homes and families. He doesn't wait for us to come to a grand public assembly; He is willing to enter our private spaces, our anxieties, and the suffering of our loved ones. This verse reminds us that no problem is too mundane, no illness too insignificant, and no family member too distant for Jesus' compassionate attention and healing power. It challenges us to invite Jesus into every aspect of our lives – our relationships, our struggles, our domestic challenges – trusting that His presence brings healing and restoration. Furthermore, Peter's act of hospitality, by opening his home to Jesus, inadvertently created a space where divine power was manifested, encouraging us to consider how our own homes can become places where Christ's presence is welcomed and His grace experienced.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what "private spaces" or domestic situations in your life do you need to invite Jesus' presence and healing touch?**
* **How does Jesus' willingness to enter Peter's home encourage you about His concern for your own family and loved ones?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the nature of true compassion and ministry, extending beyond public displays to personal needs?**

### FAQ

**Was Peter, one of Jesus' chief disciples, married?**

Answer: Yes, Matthew 8:14 explicitly states that Jesus "saw his [Peter's] wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever." This direct mention of Peter having a mother-in-law unequivocally confirms that he was married. This detail is also corroborated by the parallel accounts in [Mark 1:29-31](/mark/1-29-31 "Mark 1:29-31 - Peter's Mother-in-Law Healed") and [Luke 4:38-39](/luke/4-38-39 "Luke 4:38-39 - Peter's Mother-in-Law Healed"). This fact is significant as it provides a rare glimpse into the personal lives of the apostles and challenges later historical traditions that might suggest otherwise about the early church leaders.

**Why is this particular healing significant, given Jesus performed many miracles?**

Answer: The healing of Peter's mother-in-law, though seemingly a minor miracle compared to others, holds significant importance for several reasons. Firstly, it demonstrates Jesus' personal and intimate care for His disciples and their families, showing His ministry extends beyond public crowds into the private sphere. Secondly, it immediately precedes Peter's mother-in-law rising and serving them ([Matthew 8:15](/matthew/8-15 "Matthew 8:15 - Peter's Mother-in-Law Serves")), illustrating that divine healing is not just for comfort but for renewed service. Thirdly, it is one of the few instances where we get a personal detail about an apostle's family life, confirming Peter's marital status. Finally, it further builds the cumulative evidence in [Matthew 8](/matthew/8 "Matthew 8 - Miracles of Jesus") of Jesus' comprehensive authority over all forms of sickness and suffering, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 8:14, though a simple narrative, beautifully foreshadows and embodies the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Jesus' entry into Peter's house and His encounter with the sick mother-in-law is a microcosm of His greater mission: to enter into the brokenness of humanity and bring healing. As the Son of God, Jesus willingly "came into" the "house" of a fallen world, taking on human flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")) to personally confront the "fever" of sin and its devastating effects, including sickness and death ([Romans 5:12](/romans/5-12 "Romans 5:12 - Sin and Death Through Adam")). His "seeing" of her affliction reflects His divine omniscience and His profound compassion for suffering humanity, a compassion that drove Him to the cross to bear our infirmities and carry our diseases ([Isaiah 53:4](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4 - He Bore Our Griefs")). The swift and complete healing that follows this verse points to Jesus as the ultimate Great Physician, whose atoning work on Calvary provides not only spiritual salvation but also the promise of complete restoration and freedom from all physical ailments in the new heavens and new earth ([Revelation 21:4](/rev/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death or Pain")). Thus, this domestic scene is a tender yet powerful reminder that in Christ, God Himself draws near to our personal suffering, offering a foretaste of the kingdom where all sickness will be abolished and all things made new.

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

Luke 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.

Luke 4:41

And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking [them] suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.

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 1:34

And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.

1 Corinthians 9:5

Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and [as] the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?

Matthew 17:25

He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?

Hebrews 13:4

Marriage [is] honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.