πυρέσσω (puressō)
puressō
be feverish
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb pyressō describes being sick with a fever, deriving directly from the Greek word for fire, pyr. It appears in only two verses in the New Testament, specifically when recounting Jesus’ healing of Peter’s mother-in-law in Matthew 8:14 and Mark 1:30.
This concise term captures the physical intensity of illness without elaborating on symptoms or duration. By linking the condition to its root meaning, the text emphasizes the heat and distress associated with the sickness, highlighting the immediate relief brought by Christ’s touch.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word pyressō paints a vivid picture of physical distress. It describes a body burning up with heat, a state where comfort feels impossible. When the Gospels use this term for Peter’s mother-in-law, they do not just list symptoms; they show a person in genuine need of help. This raw depiction reminds us that Jesus cares about our physical pain as much as our spiritual state.
His response was immediate and gentle. He did not wait for her condition to improve on its own. Instead, he touched her hand, and the fever left. For anyone facing illness or watching a loved one suffer, this story offers real hope. It shows that Christ is present in the heat of our struggles and brings peace when we feel overwhelmed.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- fevering,1×
- fevering1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- πυρέσσουσαν1×
- πυρέσσουσα,1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 8:14
When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever.
This verse establishes the setting where Jesus enters a home to address immediate physical suffering, showing His care for daily life.
-
Mark 1:30
Now Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and immediately they told him about her.
Here the urgency of the situation is highlighted by the immediate report to Jesus, emphasizing His role as the quick responder to distress.