πενθερά (penthera)
penthera
mother-in-law
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun penthera simply means "mother-in-law," referring specifically to a wife’s mother. In the New Testament, this word appears only five times, all within the Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. It is used in two distinct contexts: first, to describe the personal care Jesus provides to Peter’s mother-in-law when she is ill (Matthew 8:14; Mark 1:30; Luke 4:38); and second, as part of a stark prophecy about family division, where Jesus notes that even close relatives like mothers-in-law may become adversaries (Matthew 10:35; Luke 12:53).
This rare term highlights the tangible reality of Jesus’ ministry. When he heals Peter’s mother-in-law, the sources emphasize that she recovers and immediately begins to serve them, illustrating a restoration to full health and social function. The word itself is feminine and distinct from other kinship terms, anchoring the narrative in specific, human relationships rather than abstract concepts.
Its limited usage underscores the weight of each mention. In the healing accounts, it grounds the miracle in a real household dynamic. In the teaching on division, it serves as a concrete example of how allegiance to Christ can disrupt even the most fundamental family bonds, a point that resonates with the harsh realities faced by early Christian communities.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word penthera, meaning mother-in-law, appears in the Gospels to highlight two very different sides of human relationships. In the healing stories of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus visits Peter’s home and touches his mother-in-law as she suffers from a fever. This simple act shows that God cares about our daily lives and physical needs. Her immediate recovery and willingness to serve others remind us that true health restores us to purposeful living.
Yet in other passages, Jesus uses the same term to describe deep family conflict. He warns that following Him can create division even within the closest bonds, such as between a daughter-in-law and her mother-in-law. This is not a call for cruelty, but a realistic view of how loyalty to Christ can challenge our deepest ties. It invites us to trust God’s peace when relationships become strained.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- mother-in-law5×
- the mother-in-law1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- πενθερὰ3×
- πενθερᾶς1×
- πενθεράν1×
- πενθερὰν1×
Key Verses
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Matthew 8:14
When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever.
This verse grounds the miracle in a specific household, showing Jesus’ personal care for Peter’s family.
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Mark 1:30
Now Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and immediately they told him about her.
The immediate reporting of her illness highlights the urgency and compassion in Jesus’ healing ministry.
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Luke 4:38
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 to help her.
Here, the term emphasizes the severity of her condition ('great fever') before Jesus restores her.
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Matthew 10:35
For I came to set a man at odds against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
Jesus uses this kinship term to illustrate how allegiance to Him can disrupt even the tightest family bonds.
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Luke 12:53
They will be divided, father against son, and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against her mother; mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
This occurrence reinforces the theme of division, placing mother-in-law relationships alongside parent-child conflicts.