feminine of πενθερός; a wife's mother:--mother in law, wife's mother.
Transliteration:pentherá
Pronunciation:pen-ther-ah'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word πενθερά (pentherá) `{{G3994}}` is the feminine form of πενθερός (pentheros) `{{G3995}}`, which denotes a father-in-law. Consequently, πενθερά carries the specific and singular meaning of "mother-in-law," referring exclusively to the mother of one's wife. This term defines a familial relationship established through marriage rather than through consanguinity. Its semantic range is narrow, precisely identifying this particular relational role within the extended family structure, without inherently conveying positive or negative connotations beyond the relational identification itself.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term πενθερά appears a limited number of times in the New Testament, always maintaining its core meaning of "mother-in-law."
* **Accounts of Healing:** The most prominent occurrences are found in the Synoptic Gospels, detailing Jesus' healing of Peter's mother-in-law:
* [[Matthew 8:14]]: "And when Jesus entered Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever."
* [[Mark 1:30]]: "Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her."
* [[Luke 4:38]]: "And he rose from the synagogue and entered Simon's house. Now Simon's mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they asked him to help her."
These passages uniformly identify Peter's mother-in-law as afflicted with a fever. The immediate concern of those present, and Jesus' swift response, highlight His compassion and authority over illness. Luke's detail of a "high fever" underscores the severity of her condition. Her subsequent action of "serving them" (Matthew, Mark, Luke) after being healed illustrates a proper response to divine grace and restoration, demonstrating immediate and practical discipleship. This event showcases Jesus' ministry extending beyond His immediate followers to their family members and the broader household.
* **Warnings of Division:** πενθερά also appears in Jesus' sobering pronouncements regarding the divisive nature of the gospel:
* [[Matthew 10:35]]: "For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."
* [[Luke 12:53]]: "They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."
In these contexts, πενθερά is paired with νύμφη (nymphē) `{{G3565}}` (daughter-in-law). This pairing is particularly poignant, as the relationship between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law can often be complex. Jesus uses this specific familial dynamic to illustrate the profound and potentially disruptive impact of allegiance to Him. The call to follow Christ may create spiritual rifts even within the closest and most fundamental human relationships, demanding ultimate loyalty to God above all other ties.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **πενθερός (pentheros) `{{G3995}}`**: The masculine counterpart to πενθερά, meaning "father-in-law." This demonstrates the precise and complementary terminology for in-law relationships in Greek.
* **νύμφη (nymphē) `{{G3565}}`**: Meaning "daughter-in-law" or "bride." This word is directly juxtaposed with πενθερά in the passages concerning familial division ([[Matthew 10:35]], [[Luke 12:53]]), highlighting a specific and often sensitive relational dynamic that could be tested by spiritual allegiance.
* **Household/Family (οἶκος - oikos `{{G3624}}`, οἰκία - oikia `{{G3614}}`)**: The concept of the extended family and household is crucial. The healing of Peter's mother-in-law takes place within his οἶκος, underscoring the importance of the domestic sphere in early Christian life and the reach of Jesus' ministry into everyday family settings.
* **Kinship (συγγενής - syngenēs `{{G4773}}`)**: While πενθερά denotes an in-law relationship rather than a blood relation, it still falls under the broader category of kinship ties that structured ancient society and were deeply significant for identity and community.
### Theological Significance
The occurrences of πενθερά in the New Testament, though few, carry significant theological weight:
* **Jesus' Compassion and Authority:** The healing of Peter's mother-in-law ([[Matthew 8:14]], [[Mark 1:30]], [[Luke 4:38]]) powerfully demonstrates Jesus' comprehensive compassion, which extends beyond His immediate circle of disciples to their family members. It underscores His divine authority over sickness and His willingness to minister to individuals within the domestic sphere. Her immediate act of service after healing is also theologically significant, illustrating the proper and grateful response to divine grace and restoration.
* **The Demands of Discipleship:** The use of πενθερά in the context of familial division ([[Matthew 10:35]], [[Luke 12:53]]) serves as a stark reminder of the radical and sometimes costly nature of allegiance to Christ. The gospel, by its very nature, demands ultimate loyalty that may challenge even the most fundamental human relationships, including the often-complex bond between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. This does not imply that Christ desires division, but rather that His truth exposes existing spiritual divides or creates them where hearts are hardened against His call, thereby requiring believers to prioritize their relationship with Him above all else.
* **The Pervasiveness of the Kingdom:** The inclusion of "mother-in-law" in these narratives, both in acts of healing and in warnings about division, subtly reinforces the pervasive reach of the Kingdom of God. It touches every aspect of human life and every familial relationship, demonstrating that no part of existence is outside its purview or unaffected by its transformative demands.
### Summary
The Greek word πενθερά (pentherá) `{{G3994}}` precisely denotes a "mother-in-law," specifically a wife's mother. Its limited but impactful appearances in the New Testament illuminate key theological truths. In the accounts of Jesus healing Peter's mother-in-law ([[Matthew 8:14]], [[Mark 1:30]], [[Luke 4:38]]), the term underscores Jesus' boundless compassion, His divine authority over illness, and the immediate, grateful response of service from one who has been touched by His grace. Conversely, its presence in Jesus' warnings about familial division ([[Matthew 10:35]], [[Luke 12:53]]) highlights the profound and sometimes disruptive nature of commitment to the gospel, which demands ultimate loyalty to Christ above all other human bonds, even those within the closest family structures. Thus, πενθερά serves as a specific linguistic marker for a familial role, yet its biblical contexts imbue it with rich theological significance, speaking to both the restorative power of Christ and the challenging demands of discipleship.
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