COMMENTARY ON MARK
LESSON NUMBER 14
PETER’S MOTHER-IN-LAW HEALED
“ Mark 1:29 And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell Him of her. 31 And He came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.” (Mark 1:29-31
INTRODUCTION
Jesus has been ministering in the local synagogue. The people were all astonished, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Confronting a man possessed by an unclean spirit, He has cast the spirit out, forbidding it to dominate the man any longer. The people again are set to talking amongst themselves, inquiring concerning this “new doctrine,” for with authority He had commanded unclean spirits, and they obeyed Him. Among other things, this whole series of events suggests that the synagogue meeting was not brief – at least not when Jesus was there. After an eventful day like this, what will Jesus do? Where will He go? What of His disciples? Where will they go, and what will they do? Will they view their Sabbath obligation completed? Will they remain with Jesus? It is difficult to view that Sabbath day within the context of a Sunday in the average American church. There is nothing about the text that suggests brevity or disinterest. It is also clear that a certain climate was created by the presence of the Lord Jesus. He seemed to be prominent wherever He went, drawing the attention of the people. He also was prone to teach, expounding the Kingdom of God and speaking the words of God. He also was compassionate upon those within the synagogue. Things often happened there that did not take place elsewhere. I suggest the presence of Jesus still is after this manner. Where He is found there will be teaching, and insight, and understanding will be ministered. Compassion will be experienced, and discerning ones will be attentive.
FROM THE SYNAGOGUE TO A HOUSE
“ 29 And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.”
Matthew records an incident that may have taken place before the one in our text. It was Jesus’ encounter with the centurion who besought the Lord on the behalf of his servant, who lay “sick of the palsy, grievously tormented” (Matt 8:5-6). Jesus told the man, “I will come and heal him” (Matt 8:6). The man, however, said he was not worthy to have Jesus come under his roof. Being himself a man of authority, he told Jesus, “speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.” At this point it is written that Jesus “marveled at him, and turned Him about, and said unto the people that followed Him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.” When the servants returned to the house, they “found the servant whole that had been sick” (Matt 7:7-10). It appears as though this incident took place on the way to Peter’s house. If this is so, it is another confirmation of the prodigious labors of our Lord. He was always going about “doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil” (Acts 10:38). Once the Savior is seen as a Worker, men will be more prone to seek mercy from Him. Those who envision the Lord as only beholding men with a critical eye, or remaining primarily inactive, are not likely to seek mercy from Him, and grace to help in the time of need.
FORTHWITH. Other versions read, “as soon,” NKJV and “immediately.” NASB This may seem to conflict with Matthew’s account of the Lord confronting the Centurion. However, that difficulty is resolved by considering Mark to be dealing with where Jesus was found, or the next place to which He came. He did not go to the Centurion’s house. The next place Jesus determined to go is the point of the text. As though citing a heavenly schedule, Mark says they “immediately” left the synagogue, providing the next location.
THEY ENTERED INTO THE HOUSE. Mark says this was “the house of Simon and Andrew.” Luke says it was “Simon’s house” (Lk 4:38). Matthew says “Peter’s house” (Matt 8:14). I gather that Mark is showing that Andrew was a joint owner with Peter, although he was the more prominent one. Originally, Peter and Andrew were from the city of Bethsaida (John 1:44). It appears as though they had relocated to the place from which Jesus was operating – Capernaum (Matt 4:13). We are not told the time during which this move took place. God had no doubt providentially constrained them to make this move.
Notice that James and John were also with them. On the way to Capernaum, Jesus had called Simon, Andrew, James, and John, summoning them to follow Him. They went with Jesus to the synagogue. They left the synagogue with Him, and they went to the “house of Simon and Andrew” together. We will soon find that it is, indeed, “good and pleasant for brethren to dwell together in unity” (Psa 133:1). These four were the ones to whom Jesus delivered His discourse from Olivet on the destruction of Jerusalem, the end of the world, and His return (Mk 13:3). Peter, James, and John were privy the transfiguration of Jesus (Matt 17:1-1). When Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter, He only allowed “Peter and James and John” to accompany him (Mk 5:37). Jesus also took these three with Him on the night He prayed in a bloody sweat, when He “began to be sore amazed and very heavy” (Mk 14:33).
There are blessed occasions when holy clusters of disciples are given to see things that are most extraordinary. Blessed are those who enjoy such times.
There is also something else to be seen here. In these four men we are being exposed to what it means to follow Jesus. It involves going with Him more than Him going with you! Jesus did call disciples and ordain them to be “with Him” (Mk 3:14). Viewing things from this side of the cross, Paul exhorted us to do precisely this – remain with the Lord. “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him” (Col 2:6). In our text, this means walking to Capernaum with Him. It meant entering the synagogue with Him. It also means leaving the synagogue with Him, and entering into the house of Simon and Andrew with Him. Once a person is called of God, life takes on a radical change. We are called “out of darkness” into “His marvelous light,” and there we are to remain (1 Pet 2:9). We are “delivered from the power of darkness, and translated into the kingdom of His dear Son,” and there we are to remain (Col 1:13).
Elsewhere the necessity of abiding is addressed in these words, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Gal 5:25). Our eternal destiny hinges on this matter of abiding – remaining with Jesus, or staying where He has called us. Thus John writes, “And now, little children, abide in Him; that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming” (1 John 2:28). One of the grand secrets of growing “in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet 3:18) is simply remaining where He puts us, and moving forward as He leads us.
THE CASE OF PETER’S WIFE’S MOTHER
“ 30 But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell Him of her.”
SIMON’S WIFE’S MOTHER. Peter, then, was a married man. We learn from Paul that the wives of the Apostles were known to have accompanied them on their journeys. “Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?” (1 Cor 9:5). In this text, it is apparent that Peter was caring for his mother-in-law, who no doubt lived with him and his wife.
LAY SICK OF A FEVER. Matthew also says this woman lay “sick of a fever.” Luke, however, is even more pointed about this, confirming this was no ordinary fever. “And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever” (Luke 4:38). Some versions say “a high fever.” NKJV The words “taken with” mean “imprisonment, hold in custody, hold prisoner.” ROBERTSON “holden with a great fever,” ASV “pressed with a great fever,” YLT “suffering in the grip of a burning fever.” AMPLIFIED This was something that could not be resolved by human wisdom.
We will learn from our Lord’s response to this circumstance that this was more than a simple affliction, or one that could be accounted for from a medical point of view. This woman was under the control of this fever, held within its prison, as it were. In the Law, God spoke of punishing the disobedient by smiting them with “a fever” (Deut 28:22). This was also called “the burning ague,” or a “fever that will destroy your sight and drain away your life” NIV (Lev 26:16). We know from our Lord’s response that this was not the kind of fever Simon’s mother-in-law had. However, I cite these texts to show that there were occasions that could not be accounted for by medical explanations.
Surely everyone has lived long enough, and has had sufficient experience to know there are circumstances in which absolute helplessness is revealed – things about which we can do nothing. These are but a reminder of the way all things would be if the Lord was not merciful to us. They should teach us to seek help from the Lord quickly, knowing how helpless we can become in a moment of time.
ANON THEY TELL HIM OF HER. Matthew says “And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, He saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever” (Matt 8:14). Mark is telling us what led to Jesus seeing the woman “lying sick with a fever.” NASB Apparently she had been in this condition for some time, for “they tell Him of her.” I assume this refers to Simon and Andrew, or perhaps some who were caring for the woman.
The word “anon” means “straightway,” “forthwith,” or “immediately.” It does not necessarily imply that they spoke to Jesus about this matter as soon as He entered the door. I gather that as soon as, in their thinking, they had associated the authority and power of Jesus with the circumstance in their house, they told Him “of her.”
Luke says, “they besought Him for her” (Lk 4:38). Other versions read, “they made request of Him in her behalf,” NASB “they asked Jesus to help her.” NIV and “they pleaded with Him for her.” AMPLIFIED This was not a casual petition, but a fervent one. The NLT reads, “‘Please heal her,’ everyone begged.” The idea is that they “kept entreating Him for her.” MONTGOMERY
There are several valuable lessons to be learned from this incident. First, we ought to be quick to tell Jesus about deficiencies in our house, whether they are physical, moral, or spiritual matters. Such times are appropriately called a “time of need,” and we are urged to “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help” during such occasions (Heb 4:16). We read of a mother who told Jesus of her afflicted daughter (Mat 15:22-28). A man named Jairus told Jesus about his afflicted daughter, seeking mercy for her even after she had died (Matt 9:18). Another man told Jesus of his son, who was a “lunatic” (Matt 17:15-18). We should certainly not be hesitant to tell Jesus of our infirm loved ones.
We are also urged to let our “requests be made known unto God,” and to do so “by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving” (Phil 4:6). God never tells His people to handle their problems on their own. He does not tell them that there are things they need not bring to Him. Instead He urges us to make our requests known “in everything” (Phil 4:6-7).
There is also something to be said about several people petitioning the Lord about a single thing. In our text “they” besought the Lord for Peter’s mother-in-law. One time Christ’s disciples spoke for a certain centurion, saying he “was worthy for whom He should do this: For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue” (Lk 7:2-5). On another occasion, four men brought a palsied friend to Jesus, letting him down through the roof of a house to the feet of Jesus (Mk 2:3-4).
There is also the matter of boldness – for a certain boldness is required to ask the Lord to do something for us. Nevertheless, we are urged to come “boldly” to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and grace to help in the time of need (Heb 4:16).
THE HEALED MOTHER MINISTERS TO THEM
“ 31 And He came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.”
HE CAME AND TOOK HER BY THE HAND. Matthew reads, “He touched her hand” (Matt 8:15). Luke says, “And He stood over her” (Lk 4:39). The picture is that of a concerned and thoughtful Deliverer. He stands over her, as though diagnosing the situation. He touches her hand, identifying Himself with her grievous trial. He takes her by the hand as one through whom all things become possible. Christ’s works are personal. They are not wrought as a professional, who may be disassociated from the situation. Jesus approaches this woman as one who can “command deliverance” (Psa 44:4). God’s people must be convinced of this: if ever they can get the Savior’s attention, and He “touches” their circumstance or condition, deliverance is at hand.
HE LIFTED HER UP. This the hand of omnipotence – the “hand of the Lord” that “doeth valiantly” (Psa 118:15). When this hand is extended toward a person, the situation is about to change! When a certain man brought his son to Jesus, pleading for mercy, the Savior commanded the evil spirit who possessed him to depart. The Spirit threw the boy on the ground, and it looked as though he was dead. It is written, “Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up” (Mk 9:17). When Peter commanded a lame man to “rise and walk,” it is written that “he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up” (Acts 3:7). When Peter commanded Dorcas to rise from the dead, she opened her eyes, saw Peter, and “sat up.” It is then written, “and he gave her his hand, and lifted her up” (Acts 9:41).
THE FEVER LEFT HER. The fever left “immediately,” not gradually. Matthew says the Lord touched her, “and the fever left her” (Matt 8:15). In his characteristic way, Luke provides a most edifying detail. “And He stood over her, and rebuked the fever: and it left her” (Lk 4:39). We do not know if an evil spirit was promoting this fever – like a “spirit of infirmity” (Lk 13:11). That is of no consequence here, for no circumstance can remain if the Lord has rebuked it, regardless of the cause of that circumstance!
When the Lord parted the Red Sea for Israel to cross over on dry land, it is written, “He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up” (Psa 106:9). Through Malachi, God spoke of delivering His people from plagues they had brought upon themselves. “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground”(Mal 3:11). During a storm that as threatening the lives of the disciples, Jesus arose and “rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm” (Matt 8:26).
The point to be seen here is that only a word from the Lord resolves any dilemma. The word of the Lord is “quick and powerful” (Heb 4:12). “The voice of the Lord” is said to be “powerful,” and is“full of majesty.” It “breaks cedars,” “divides the flames” so they cannot burn us, and “shakes” the intimidating wilderness (Psa 29:4-8). If the Lord says “Be thou clean” to a leper, he is “immediately cleansed” (Matt 8:3).
SHE MINISTERED UNTO THEM. The thoroughness of the Lord’s work is seen in its results. The woman “arose and ministered unto them” (Matt 8:15). Luke says, “and immediately she arose and ministered unto them” (Lk 4:39). When Jesus arrived with James and John at the house of Simon and Andrew, Peter’s mother-in-law was laying in bed in the grip of a great fever. Now, she is ministering to them in “perfect soundness” (Acts 3:16). Normally, a person stricken with a great, or high, fever is sapped of all of their strength, and considerable time is required to recover. But no ordinary circumstances follow the touch and word of the King of kings and Lord of lords.
On one occasion, when a woman of ill fame washed His feet with her tears and dried them with her hair, our Lord said to criticizing Simon, “Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment” (Luke 7:45-46). Such could not be said of the mother of Peter’s wife! Like the Philippian jailor who was loosed from his sins and ministered to the very men he had previously beaten, she ministered to Jesus and His disciples. It was said of that jailor, “And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house” (Acts 16:34).
It is a sure mark of a thankful heart when those who are helped and delivered by the Lord minister to His people. That is the best use of recovered strength and renewed energy.
The Sabbath day is not yet over, and yet so much has already occurred. The sun has not yet set, and the day has been filled with gracious words and deeds. May the Lord increase our aptitude to receive much, for He “daily loadeth us with benefits” (Psa 68:19).