Luke 4:38 · Bible study
Luke 4:38 Commentary: Jesus Heals Simon's Mother-in-Law
Greek · 7 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Luke's medical term 'great fever' and the family's plea show Jesus' authority moving from synagogue to home, and the immediate response of service.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Jesus enters Simon's house and heals his mother-in-law of a severe fever after her family intercedes.
- Key words: συνεχομένη (oppressed, held down), πυρετῷ μεγάλῳ (great fever), medical terms unique to Luke.
- Main debate: Whether Luke's medical language proves he was a physician; minimal debate, widely accepted.
- Theological theme: Jesus' authority extends from public ministry to private homes; healing leads to service.
- Best use: Demonstrating Jesus' compassion for domestic needs and the call to serve in response to grace.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
After Jesus had left the synagogue, He went to the home of Simon, whose mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever. So they appealed to Jesus on her behalf,
WEB World English Bible 2000
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.
KJV King James Version 1769
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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And he rose up from the synagogue, and entered into the house of Simon. And Simon’s wife’s mother was holden with a great fever; and they besought him for her.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
And having risen out of the synagogue, he entered into the house of Simon, and the mother-in-law of Simon was pressed with a great fever, and they did ask him about her,
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And rising up out of the synagogue, he entered into the house of Simon. But Simon's mother-in-law was suffering under a bad fever; and they asked him for her.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And Jesus rising up out of the synagogue, went into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever: and they besought him for her.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y levantándose Jesús de la sinagoga, entró en casa de Simón: y la suegra de Simón estaba|strong="G2258, G4912" con una grande fiebre; y le rogaron por ella.
Jesus levantou-se da sinagoga, e entrou na casa de Simão. A sogra de Simão estava doente de uma grande febre, e rogaram-lhe por ela.
En sortant de la synagogue, il se rendit à la maison de Simon. La belle-mère de Simon avait une violente fièvre, et ils le prièrent en sa faveur.
Und er stand auf aus der Schule und kam in Simons Haus. Und Simons Schwiegermutter war mit einem harten Fieber behaftet; und sie baten ihn für sie.
En Jezus, opgestaan zijnde uit de synagoge, ging in het huis van Simon; en Simons vrouws moeder was met een grote koorts bevangen, en zij baden Hem voor haar.
Poi, levatosi ed uscito dalla sinagoga, entrò in casa di Simone. Or la suocera di Simone era travagliata da una gran febbre; e lo pregarono per lei.
A Jezus wstawszy, z bóżnicy wszedł w dom Szymona, a świekra Szymonowa miała gorączkę wielką; i prosili go za nią.
Выйдя из синагоги, Он вошел в дом Симона; теща же Симонова была одержима сильною горячкою; и просили Его о ней.
耶穌出了 會堂，進了 西門 的家。 西門 的岳母 害熱病 甚重， 有人為 她 求 耶穌。
And he got up and went out of the Synagogue and went into the house of Simon. And Simon's wife's mother was very ill with a burning heat; and in answer to their prayers for her
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Luke 4:38
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that this verse marks a pivot from Jesus' public ministry in the Capernaum synagogue to his compassionate care in the private home of Simon Peter. Vincent's Word Studies highlights Luke's medical precision: the Greek συνεχομένη (sunechomenē, 'oppressed with') and πυρετῷ μεγάλῳ ('a great fever') are terms used by ancient physicians to describe severe fevers. The Cambridge Bible notes that Luke alone adds 'great,' reflecting his professional eye. The aorist ἠρώτησαν ('they begged') indicates they asked only once, their confidence immediate. Adam Clarke sees in this a pattern: as soon as Peter began following Christ, his family benefited. Gill's Exposition underscores that the severity of the fever magnifies the miracle. Across traditions, readers see Jesus willingly entering a sickroom, demonstrating that his authority over illness is as real as his authority over demons. Her later service is not an afterthought; it is the proper human response to divine healing.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law, and she immediately began to serve him and the disciples.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Peter's marriage | Christians agree that Simon Peter was married, as evidenced by the mention of his mother-in-law. | Different traditions draw different conclusions about the applicability of this to church leadership, with some viewing it as a precedent for married clergy and others emphasizing that Peter later left everything to follow Christ. |
| Luke's medical language | Christians agree that Luke uses precise medical terms such as 'great fever' that reflect his attention to detail. | Most accept this as confirmation that Luke was a physician (Colossians 4:14), though some see it simply as part of his general habit of precise description. |
| Meaning of her service | All traditions agree that the healed woman rose and served Jesus and the disciples, and that this is a positive response. | Some interpret her service as a model of grateful discipleship open to all believers; others note it occurred within a domestic setting and reflects cultural roles of the time. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Capernaum served as Jesus' Galilean base, located on a major trade route near the Sea of Galilee. As Lange's Commentary notes, it was a bustling centre where Jesus could reach many and also find rest at the home of friends. Mark's gospel adds that Peter's house was shared with his brother Andrew (Mark 1:29), and the Cambridge Bible suggests that the home may have been in Capernaum rather than Bethsaida, where Peter and Andrew were originally from. Simon Peter was a married man; his mother-in-law lived with them, a common arrangement in extended families.
Vincent's Word Studies draws attention to Luke's medical vocabulary. The verb συνεχομένη paints the fever as a pressing force that 'holds together' its victim in distress. Ancient physicians, including Galen, classified fevers into 'great' and 'small,' and Luke, a physician by tradition, uses this technical distinction. The severity of her illness sets the stage for a dramatic healing.
The flow from synagogue to house is crucial. Jesus has just cast out a demon in the synagogue (v.35), astonishing the crowd. Now he walks into a home where a woman lies helpless. The religious authorities might not have entered a Gentile home, but Jesus enters Simon's house without hesitation. The domestic sphere becomes a site of divine encounter, reminding readers that no corner of life falls outside his reach.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for Luke 4:38 itself. Gill's Exposition mentions that in Beza's ancient copy and in one of Stephens's editions, the phrase 'and of Andrew' is added after 'Simon's house,' likely harmonizing with Mark 1:29. The earliest and most reliable manuscripts lack this addition. The verse is well-attested and the text is stable.
Reception History
In the early and medieval church, this passage was sometimes used to affirm the married state of the first apostle. The mother-in-law received the traditional names Concordia or Perpetua, though these are not historically verifiable. The Anglican Marriage Service references this verse, noting that 'St Peter, the Apostle of Christ, who was himself a married man.' Across traditions, the story has been read as demonstrating Jesus' care for the family unit and the fitting response of service. Sermons often highlight the immediacy of her ministry as a model of wholehearted gratitude and the proper outcome of divine healing.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- From Synagogue to Home. Jesus' authority does not stay in the sanctuary. He walks directly into a private need. His power is for all of life.
- A Sickroom and a Plea. The fever is 'great,' the family's request is immediate and single. They ask once, and Jesus responds. Prayer does not need to be repeated to be heard.
- Service as a Natural Response. She rose and served them. Healing leads to ministry. Gratitude flows into action.
Five-point outline
- Public Ministry Meets Private Need. The exorcism in the synagogue (vv.33-37) is followed by healing in a home. Jesus' mission covers both.
- The Illness Is Real and Severe. Luke's medical term 'great fever' stresses the helplessness of the patient. No human remedy could help.
- Intercession Opens the Door. They asked for her. She did not ask for herself. Intercessory prayer brings others before Christ.
- Jesus' Word Over Disease. He 'rebuked' the fever (v.39), using the same verb as for the demon. Illness, like evil, falls under his command.
- Healed to Serve. Her first act is not to rest but to minister. Service is the proper shape of gratitude.
Illustration hooks
- A family member is seriously ill and you feel powerless, until a doctor or friend steps in with help.
- After receiving unexpected kindness, you find yourself looking for ways to help others.
- The difference between public success and private difficulty: Jesus could command demons, but he also entered a sickroom.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Does Jesus care about our private, domestic struggles as much as the public work of the church?
- Why are some people healed and others not? Does this story promise that prayer always brings healing?
- What does it mean that Peter had a mother-in-law? Does his marriage have implications for church leadership?
Leading a Discussion
This passage shows Jesus moving from the synagogue to a home. It connects his public authority with private compassion. The healing of Peter's mother-in-law presents a model of intercession, divine power, and grateful service.
Discussion questions
- What do we learn about Jesus from the fact that he went straight from the synagogue to a private home?
- Why does Luke mention that the fever was 'great'? How does this detail affect your reading of the story?
- The family 'begged' Jesus on her behalf. What does this tell us about the role of intercessory prayer?
- In verse 39, Jesus 'rebukes' the fever. Why does he use the same word he used for the demon?
- She immediately rose and served. What is the connection between being healed and serving others?
- How does this story challenge or encourage your view of Jesus' involvement in your daily life?
- If you were in the position of the family, how would you approach Jesus with a need?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Matthew 8:14 | When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever. |
| Matthew 8:15 | He touched her hand, and the fever left her. So she got up and served him. |
| Matthew 15:23 | But he answered her not a word. His disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away; for she cries after us.” |
| Mark 1:29 | Immediately, when they had come out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. |
| Mark 1:31 | He came and took her by the hand and raised her up. The fever left her immediately, and she served them. |
| Luke 7:3 | When he heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and save his servant. |
| Luke 7:4 | When they came to Jesus, they begged him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy for you to do this for him, |
| John 11:3 | The sisters therefore sent to him, saying, “Lord, behold, he for whom you have great affection is sick.” |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
6 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke observes that Peter's family began to benefit as soon as he started following Christ. One faithful person can draw down blessings on an entire household, and no one who asks Christ for help with spiritually diseased family members will ask in vain.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
This commentator highlights two distinctive details only Luke provides: the fever is called “great,” reflecting Luke’s medical training, and the request is described with a tense that means they asked only once. The aorist verb, confirmed by Mark’s “immediately,” stresses that one appeal was enough.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
And he rose vp, and came out of the Synagogue, and entred into Simons house. And Simons wiues mother was taken with a great feuer, and they required him for her.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill highlights that Luke calls the fever "great" to emphasize the severity of the illness, which makes Christ's healing all the more miraculous. He also notes that those present, having just seen Jesus cast out a demon in the synagogue, now turn to him and ask for her recovery.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange insists that the demoniac's condition was a real attack by an evil spirit, not a superstitious explanation for illness. Jesus rebuked the spirit directly, commanding silence because He would not accept testimony from impure sources or allow premature recognition of His Messiahship.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent points out that Luke uses a Greek word for "taken" that was common in medical writing, showing the physician's eye for detail. The phrase "a great fever" is unique to Luke among the Gospel writers and reflects ancient medical practice of classifying fevers by severity.