Matthew 8:14 · Bible study
Matthew 8:14 Commentary: Peter's Mother-in-Law & Apostolic Marriage
Greek · 9 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Study page on Matthew 8:14, exploring what the mention of Peter's mother-in-law reveals about his marital status and its significance for debates on
Research Summary
- Meaning: Jesus enters Peter’s home and finds his mother-in-law dangerously ill with a fever; her healing and immediate service follow.
- Key words: πενθερά (mother-in-law) establishes Peter’s marital status; βεβλημένην (laid/struck down) indicates helplessness; πυρέσσουσαν (fevering) from πῦρ underscores severity.
- Main debate: Whether Peter remained married during his apostolic ministry. Protestant commentators (Barnes, Gill, Henry) say yes; Catholic tradition treats Peter’s marriage as pre-apostolic and celibacy as a later discipline.
- Theological theme: Jesus’ authority over disease, his care for ordinary family life, and the call of the healed to serve.
- Best use: Preaching on Jesus’ presence in homes, teaching on divine healing, and biblical discussion of marriage and ministry.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
When Jesus arrived at Peter’s house, He saw Peter’s mother-in-law sick in bed with a fever.
WEB World English Bible 2000
When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever.
KJV King James Version 1769
And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother lying sick of a fever.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
And Jesus having come into the house of Peter, saw his mother-in-law laid, and fevered,
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And when Jesus had come to Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law laid down and in a fever;
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother lying, and sick of a fever;
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y vino Jesús á casa de Pedro, y vió á su suegra echada en cama, y con fiebre.
E quando Jesus veio à casa de Pedro, viu a sogra dele, deitada e com febre.
Jésus se rendit ensuite à la maison de Pierre, dont il vit la belle-mère couchée et ayant la fièvre.
Und Jesus kam in des Petrus Haus und sah, daß seine Schwiegermutter lag und hatte das Fieber.
En Jezus gekomen zijnde in het huis van Petrus, zag zijn vrouws moeder te bed liggen, hebbende de koorts.
Poi Gesù, entrato nella casa di Pietro, vide la suocera di lui che giaceva in letto con la febbre; ed egli le toccò la mano e la febbre la lasciò.
A gdy Jezus przyszedł do domu Piotrowego, ujrzał świekrę jego, leżącą na łożu i mającą gorączkę.
Придя в дом Петров, Иисус увидел тещу его, лежащую в горячке,
耶穌 到了 彼得 家裡，見 彼得的 岳母 害熱病 躺著。
And when Jesus had come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother in bed, very ill.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Matthew 8:14
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across the Protestant traditions represented in the supplied sources agree on the core facts. Jesus entered Peter's house in Capernaum and saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. Barnes notes that Mark and Luke add details: the family spoke to Jesus about her before the miracle. The fever was serious, Luke calls it a “great fever,” and the Greek verb puressousan (from pur, fire) underscores its intensity. The Cambridge Bible observes that the word for “laid” (βεβλημένην) suggests she was struck down, a sudden prostration typical of severe fevers.
The commentators uniformly read the mention of “Peter’s wife’s mother” as evidence that Peter was married. Barnes states it “proves that Peter either then was or had been married.” Gill and Matthew Henry develop the point: Christ’s kindness to the family shows his approval of marriage, countering later traditions of mandatory clerical celibacy. Clarke adds Theophylact’s note that “marriage is no hindrance to virtue.” There is no disagreement among these sources on the narrative or on Peter’s marital status, only on how that status should inform church practice.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: Jesus entered Peter's house, saw his mother-in-law suffering from a fever, and healed her.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Peter's marital status | That Peter had a wife is universally accepted from the mention of his mother-in-law. | Protestant commentators see this as proof he was married while an apostle; Catholic tradition holds that Peter’s marriage was before his call and that he later lived celibately, or that the text does not settle the discipline of clerical celibacy. |
| Severity of the fever | All note the fever was serious; Luke adds 'great fever'. | Some see it as a specific disease like typhus (Cambridge Bible); others read it as a severe but common fever. |
| Location of the house | The house is in Capernaum, where Peter and Andrew lived together (Mark 1:29). | Whether the house belonged to Peter or to his mother-in-law (Gill suggests the latter) is unsettled. |
| Meaning of 'served' (διηκόνει) | The word indicates domestic service, likely preparing and serving food. | Some emphasize this as evidence of complete physical restoration; others focus on the woman’s gratitude and vocation. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Verse 14 places Jesus in a specific home: Peter’s house in Capernaum. Capernaum was a fishing village on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee, where Peter and Andrew had settled after moving from Bethsaida (John 1:44). Mark 1:29 notes that James and John accompanied Jesus, and that the house belonged to Simon and Andrew jointly, possibly they shared the dwelling. Gill suggests the house may actually have belonged to Peter’s mother-in-law, since she is the one lying sick there; the apostles may have been lodging with her.
In first-century Jewish culture, the mother-in-law was a respected member of the extended family. The role of women in household healing was critical: a sick woman meant disrupted domestic life. Fevers were common and often life-threatening; Luke’s phrase “great fever” (Luke 4:38) matches the clinical picture of typhus or malaria, which could sweep through villages. The crowd that gathers at evening (v. 16) suggests word of the healing spread quickly, leading to a larger ministry.
Literarily, this episode sits between two displays of Jesus' authority: the healing of the centurion’s servant at a distance (v. 5, 13) and the stilling of the storm (v. 23, 27). The healing touch, Jesus takes her hand, is direct and personal, in contrast to the centurion’s faith from afar. The verse also introduces the theme of Jesus entering ordinary homes and meeting everyday needs, which Matthew will develop in the following chapters.
The presence of a mother-in-law is significant for understanding Peter’s life. Unlike the later ideal of an unmarried apostle, Peter maintained family ties even while following Jesus. This would have been a strong counter-example for later church debates about clerical marriage.
Textual Notes
The supplied sources note no significant textual variants for Matthew 8:14. The phrase “sick with a fever” (πυρέσσουσαν) is stable across manuscripts. The minor differences in English translations (e.g., “lay sick” vs. “laid and sick of a fever”) reflect the same Greek wording: the participle βεβλημένην (from βάλλω, to throw) emphasizes her being prostrated by the illness.
Reception History
From the early church onward, this verse has been a touchstone in discussions of marriage and ministry. Clement of Alexandria (cited by Lange) named Peter’s wife Perpetua or Concordia and their daughter Petronella, indicating a tradition that Peter had a family. The Gnostic Acts of Peter (second century) suppress the marital theme, but mainstream Christian writing treated Peter as married. During the Reformation, Protestant commentators (e.g., Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill) used the verse to challenge mandatory clerical celibacy, arguing that the chief apostle lived as a married man. Catholic interpreters responded that the text shows Peter had been married, not that he remained in marriage during his apostolate, and that the discipline of celibacy developed later. In modern ecumenical dialogues, Matthew 8:14 is often cited among other texts (1 Cor 9:5, 1 Tim 3:2) to affirm that marriage is not a barrier to apostolic ministry.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Jesus enters the house, He comes into Peter’s home, a place of family and daily life. No space is too ordinary for His presence.
- Jesus sees the one who is laid low, The fever has struck her down. The verb beblēmenēn suggests she is helpless. Jesus notices the unnoticed.
- Healed to serve, The touch brings immediate cure. She rises and ministers (διακονέω) to them. Her service is the proof and purpose of the healing.
Five-point outline
- Jesus’ itinerary includes homes, He goes where people actually live, not just public spaces.
- Family ties are not a hindrance, Peter’s marriage and extended family do not disqualify him from apostleship.
- The fever’s severity, Luke calls it a “great fever”; the cure is instantaneous, no gradual recovery.
- The touch of authority, Jesus touches her hand (v. 15), breaking ritual boundaries of uncleanness (a sick person), and the fever leaves.
- Service as response, She does not rest but immediately serves. Healing restores her to her vocation.
Illustration hooks
- The fever that won’t break, A parent staying up all night with a sick child, trying everything, then the doctor who makes a house call. Jesus comes to the bedside.
- A working kitchen, The miracle isn’t just recovery; it’s someone returning to cooking and serving. Think of a friend who bakes for everyone after recovering from illness.
- The leader’s home life, Pastors, elders, and ministers live in real houses with real families. This verse invites congregations to see their leaders as ordinary people with in-laws, kitchens, and sickbeds.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Did Peter have to give up his family to follow Jesus?, The mention of his mother-in-law shows he didn’t; his home became a center of ministry.
- Does Jesus care about ordinary sickness?, This healing shows that everyday fevers are within His concern, not just dramatic exorcisms.
- Why isn’t everyone healed today?, The text records a specific moment of Jesus’ earthly ministry; it doesn’t promise identical healings now, but it shows God’s character as a healer.
Leading a Discussion
This short verse opens a window into Peter’s family life and Jesus’ care for the everyday. The healing happens in a home, with no crowds, no fanfare, just a sick woman and a touch. What does this tell us about Jesus, about Peter, and about how faith operates in ordinary domestic spaces?
Discussion questions
- Observation: Who are the people mentioned in this verse, and what do we learn about each of them? Use cross-references like Mark 1:29, 31 and Luke 4:38, 41.
- Observation: What does the word “laid” (βεβλημένην) convey about the woman’s condition? Why might Matthew use that word?
- Interpretation: Why does Matthew note that this woman is Peter’s mother-in-law? What would that imply to the original audience about Peter’s family situation?
- Interpretation: In verse 15, she “ministered” to them. What kind of service is implied, and why is it significant that healing leads to service?
- Application: If Jesus enters Peter’s house, what does that mean for the homes and families of believers today? How can we invite Christ into our daily domestic routines?
- Application: The verse has been used to argue for and against clerical marriage. How should a Christian evaluate this debate when both sides appeal to Scripture? What does this passage actually settle, and what does it leave open?
- Reflection: Are there areas of sickness, physical, emotional, spiritual, where you feel “laid low” and need Jesus’ touch? How might this story encourage you to ask others to pray with you?
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 8:20 | Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” |
| Matthew 17:25 | He said, “Yes.” When he came into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive toll or tribute? From their children, or from strangers?” |
| 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 1:34 | He healed many who were sick with various diseases and cast out many demons. He didn’t allow the demons to speak, because they knew him. |
| 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. |
| Luke 4:41 | Demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of God!” Rebuking them, he didn’t allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ. |
| I Corinthians 9:5 | Have we no right to take along a wife who is a believer, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? |
| I Timothy 3:2 | The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching; |
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
8 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke points out that Peter was married, and he uses this fact to argue that marriage is a virtuous, God-given institution. He strongly rejects the notion that celibacy is holier than marriage, calling it an insult to God, who commanded marriage in Genesis.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes sees the mention of Peter's mother-in-law as clear evidence that Peter was married at the time. He uses this to challenge Roman Catholic teaching on priestly celibacy, arguing that if the chief apostle had a wife, there is no scriptural basis for forbidding clergy to marry.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
This commentary notes that Luke uses a medical technical term, great fever, which points to typhus, and the word laid literally means struck down, capturing the sudden prostration of the illness. Luke's description of the cure bears marks of scientific accuracy.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
And when Iesus came to Peters house, he sawe his wiues mother layed downe, and sicke of a feuer.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill uses this event to argue against the Catholic requirement that clergy remain celibate. He points out that Peter, the apostle from whom Catholics claim papal succession, was a married man with a mother-in-law. Her severe fever, which Christ healed, is treated as incidental proof of Peter's lawful marriage.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry highlights that Christ's healing of Peter's mother-in-law demonstrates his special care for the families of his disciples. He observes that Peter was married and had a house, and he argues that Christ's kindness to his wife's relations is a clear endorsement of the marriage state, directly opposing the Roman Catholic ban on clerical marriage.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent notes that the Greek word for fever comes from "pur," meaning fire, and that the English word "fever" traces back through the German "feuer" to the same idea of heat. The biblical description thus links the illness directly to burning.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley notes that Peter had a mother-in-law, which means he was a married man, but he infers from this that Peter and the other apostles were still young men at the time.