Matthew 8:15

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he touched {G680} her {G846} hand {G5495}, and {G2532} the fever {G4446} left {G863} her {G846}: and {G2532} she arose {G1453}, and {G2532} ministered {G1247} unto them {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He touched her hand, the fever left her, and she got up and began helping him.

Berean Standard Bible

So He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she got up and began to serve Him.

American Standard Version

And he touched her hand, and the fever left her; and she arose, and ministered unto him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 8:15 powerfully illustrates Jesus' divine authority over sickness and His compassionate engagement with human suffering, depicting the instantaneous healing of Peter's mother-in-law from a severe fever, which immediately leads to her grateful and active service to Jesus and His disciples.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This healing narrative is strategically placed by Matthew immediately following Jesus' descent from the mountain where He delivered the profound teachings of [the Sermon on the Mount](/matthew/5 "Matthew 5 - The Sermon on the Mount"). It is part of a series of miracles in [Matthew 8](/matthew/8 "Matthew 8 - Jesus' Miracles and Authority") that demonstrate Jesus' authority over disease, nature, and demons, serving as practical illustrations of the power inherent in the words He just spoke. Preceding this event are the cleansing of a leper ([Matthew 8:1-4](/matthew/8-1-4 "Matthew 8:1-4 - Jesus Cleanses a Leper")) and the remarkable healing of the centurion's servant from a distance ([Matthew 8:5-13](/matthew/8-5-13 "Matthew 8:5-13 - Jesus Heals the Centurion's Servant")), both showcasing His unparalleled power and compassion. The entry into Peter's house in Capernaum thus shifts the scene from public demonstration to an intimate, domestic setting, further emphasizing the personal and accessible nature of Jesus' healing ministry.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Jewish society, like many ancient cultures, had limited medical understanding and resources, making fevers a common and often debilitating ailment. While not always life-threatening, a severe fever could incapacitate a person, disrupting household functions. Hospitality was a cornerstone of Jewish culture, and the inability of a hostess to serve guests due to illness would have been a significant concern. Capernaum, a bustling fishing village on the Sea of Galilee, served as Jesus' primary base of operations during His Galilean ministry, making Peter's home a natural gathering place for Jesus and His disciples. The act of Jesus touching her hand was culturally significant; while a rabbi might typically avoid touching a sick person (especially one with a contagious illness like leprosy, as seen earlier in [Matthew 8:1-4](/matthew/8-1-4 "Matthew 8:1-4 - Jesus Cleanses a Leper")), Jesus consistently defied such conventions to demonstrate His power and compassion, often making direct physical contact with the afflicted.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Matthew's Gospel. Foremost is the theme of **Jesus' Authority and Power**, demonstrating His complete dominion over sickness and physical ailments, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah's healing ministry (e.g., [Isaiah 53:4](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4 - He Bore Our Sicknesses")). Another crucial theme is **Compassion and Accessibility**, as Jesus extends His healing touch not only to public figures or those who seek Him out, but also to a family member within the intimate setting of Peter's home, highlighting His personal care for individuals. Finally, the immediate response of service ("ministered unto them") introduces the theme of **Gratitude Leading to Discipleship and Service**. The healing is not merely an end in itself but empowers the recipient to actively participate in the kingdom's work, mirroring the call to follow Jesus and serve others that is central to the life of a disciple (e.g., [Matthew 20:28](/matthew/20-28 "Matthew 20:28 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Touched (Greek, _háptomai'_):** This word signifies a deliberate act of contact, often implying a personal, direct engagement. Unlike a command from a distance, Jesus' touch here conveys intimacy, compassion, and the direct transmission of His healing power, demonstrating His willingness to physically engage with human suffering.
* **Fever (Greek, _pyretós'_):** This term refers to an inflamed, feverish condition. Its presence indicates a common, debilitating illness that would have rendered Peter's mother-in-law weak and unable to function. The immediate departure of the fever underscores the completeness and instantaneous nature of Jesus' healing.
* **Arose (Greek, _egeírō'_):** This word implies being roused or awakened, not just from sleep but from a state of inactivity, illness, or even death. In this context, it emphasizes the complete restoration of strength and vitality, enabling her to immediately resume normal activities, contrasting sharply with the typical recovery period after a severe illness.
* **Ministered (Greek, _diakonéō'_):** This verb means to serve, attend, or wait upon, often in a practical, humble capacity, like waiting on tables. Her immediate action of ministering signifies not only her full recovery but also her grateful response, transforming her restored health into active service for her guests, including Jesus and His disciples.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he touched her hand":** This clause highlights Jesus' direct, personal, and compassionate engagement with Peter's mother-in-law. His physical touch is the conduit of divine power, demonstrating His willingness to draw near to the afflicted and act decisively.
* **"and the fever left her":** This signifies the instantaneous and complete nature of the healing. The departure of the fever is immediate and absolute, requiring no process or recovery period, showcasing Jesus' supreme authority over sickness.
* **"and she arose":** This phrase emphasizes the full restoration of her strength and vitality. She was not merely healed but empowered to stand up and function normally, indicating a miraculous return to full health from a debilitating state.
* **"and ministered unto them":** This final clause reveals her immediate and grateful response to the healing. Her act of serving, or "diakonéō," demonstrates her restored capacity and willingness to use her newfound strength for the benefit of others, particularly her guests, including Jesus and His disciples, embodying a spirit of humble gratitude and service.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew employs several **literary devices** in this concise verse. The primary device is **Narrative Economy**, where a significant event is conveyed with remarkable brevity, highlighting the efficiency and power of Jesus' actions. The sequence of events—touch, healing, rising, ministering—is presented in rapid succession, creating a sense of **Immediacy** and **Direct Causation**, emphasizing that Jesus' touch directly and instantly led to her complete recovery and subsequent service. The contrast between her initial state of incapacitation by fever and her immediate, active service also functions as a subtle form of **Juxtaposition**, underscoring the dramatic transformative power of Jesus' intervention. Furthermore, her immediate act of "ministering" serves as a **Symbol** of true gratitude and the proper response to divine grace, where blessing leads to service rather than self-indulgence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 8:15 powerfully illustrates Jesus' compassionate authority over all forms of human suffering, affirming His identity as the Messiah who heals both body and soul. The instantaneous nature of the healing underscores His divine power, requiring no elaborate rituals or time for recovery, while the immediate response of service highlights a core theological principle: divine grace empowers and obligates believers to serve others. This passage connects the physical healing to a spiritual truth: true restoration leads to active, grateful discipleship, demonstrating that God's blessings are often intended to equip us for Kingdom work. It foreshadows the New Testament emphasis on using one's gifts and renewed strength for the benefit of the community and the glory of God.

* [Mark 1:30-31](/mark/1-30-31 "Mark 1:30-31 - Jesus Heals Peter's Mother-in-Law")
* [Luke 4:38-39](/luke/4-38-39 "Luke 4:38-39 - Jesus Heals Peter's Mother-in-Law")
* [Ephesians 2:10](/ephesians/2-10 "Ephesians 2:10 - Created for Good Works")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 8:15 offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It reminds us that Jesus' compassion extends not only to dramatic, life-threatening illnesses but also to the mundane, debilitating ailments that disrupt our daily lives. Just as He touched Peter's mother-in-law and restored her, He is intimately concerned with our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. This passage challenges us to consider our own responses to God's grace and healing in our lives. When God intervenes, whether through miraculous healing, answered prayer, or simply sustaining us through trials, do we immediately turn inward, or do we, like Peter's mother-in-law, arise and use our renewed strength and capacity to serve Him and others? Her immediate act of "ministering" serves as a powerful model of gratitude expressed through practical service, reminding us that true thankfulness is active and outward-focused, transforming our blessings into opportunities to bless.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' willingness to touch Peter's mother-in-law challenge our assumptions about divine intervention and personal engagement with suffering?**
* **In what areas of your life have you experienced God's healing or restoration, and how has that experience empowered or called you to serve others?**
* **What does Peter's mother-in-law's immediate act of "ministering" teach us about the nature of gratitude and the purpose of divine blessing?**
* **How can we cultivate a spirit of immediate and active service in response to the grace we receive from God, even in our everyday lives?**

### FAQ
**Was Peter's mother-in-law's fever a serious illness, and why is its healing significant?**

Answer: While the text simply states "fever" (pyretós), the fact that she was bedridden and unable to fulfill her role as hostess suggests it was a debilitating, though perhaps not immediately life-threatening, illness. Its healing is significant because it demonstrates Jesus' complete authority over all forms of sickness, from the dramatic (like leprosy or paralysis) to the common and debilitating. It highlights His compassion for everyday suffering and His power to restore individuals to full functionality, enabling them to resume their lives and responsibilities. This healing, like others in [Matthew 8](/matthew/8 "Matthew 8 - Jesus' Miracles and Authority"), serves as a powerful testament to His messianic identity and divine power.

**What is the significance of Peter's mother-in-law "ministering unto them" immediately after being healed?**

Answer: Her immediate act of "ministering" (Greek: diakonéō) is profoundly significant. Firstly, it confirms the completeness and instantaneous nature of her healing; she was not merely better but fully restored to strength. Secondly, it serves as a powerful demonstration of gratitude. Instead of resting or seeking comfort, she immediately used her renewed health to serve her guests, including Jesus and His disciples. This act models the ideal response to divine grace: a life empowered by God's blessing should lead to active, humble service to others. It foreshadows the Christian call to discipleship, where those who receive God's grace are then equipped and compelled to serve others, as seen in passages like [Galatians 5:13](/galatians/5-13 "Galatians 5:13 - Serve One Another in Love") and [1 Peter 4:10](/1_peter/4-10 "1 Peter 4:10 - Use Your Gifts to Serve Others").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 8:15, while a direct account of Jesus' healing power, points profoundly to His ultimate redemptive work as the Christ. Jesus' compassionate touch and the immediate departure of the fever foreshadow His greater mission to conquer the ultimate sickness of sin and death. Just as He restored physical health, He came to bring spiritual restoration, enabling humanity to "arise" from spiritual death and "minister" in newness of life. His power over physical ailments is a tangible sign of His authority over all creation and His capacity to bring about a new creation. The healing of Peter's mother-in-law, leading to her service, perfectly illustrates the pattern of the Gospel: Christ's grace frees us from bondage (whether to sin, sickness, or death), not for our own comfort, but to empower us for active, grateful service in His kingdom. This echoes the New Testament's teaching that we are [saved by grace through faith](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Saved by Grace Through Faith") and then [created in Christ Jesus for good works](/ephesians/2-10 "Ephesians 2:10 - Created for Good Works"), which God prepared beforehand. Ultimately, Jesus' healing touch in Matthew 8:15 is a microcosm of His entire ministry: He touches broken humanity, removes the malady of sin, raises us to new life, and empowers us to serve Him and one another, reflecting the very heart of the [Son of Man, who came not to be served but to serve](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve").

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

2 Kings 13:21

And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band [of men]; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.

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 4:39

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

Luke 8:54

And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise.

Mark 1:41

And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth [his] hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.

Matthew 14:36

And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.

Matthew 9:29

Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.