Posted on 07/20/2025 4:27:00 AM PDT by metmom
“When Jesus came into Peter’s home, He saw his mother-in-law lying sick in bed with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her; and she got up and waited on Him” (Matthew 8:14–15).
Through the centuries, most male Jews have displayed much prejudice toward women, as evidenced by the old prayer, “Lord, I thank Thee that I was not born a slave, a Gentile, or a woman.” But here Jesus, just as with the leper and the Gentile centurion, shows mercy and compassion to an outsider—a woman—someone not favored by the Jewish establishment. He cuts through the unscriptural attitude of proud Jewish men to demonstrate again that physical health, race, status, or a person’s sex gained no advantage with Him.
When Jesus arrived at Peter’s home with some of the disciples, Peter’s mother-in-law was ill, and Mark adds, “Immediately they spoke to Jesus about her” (Mark 1:30). Luke the physician notes that she had “a high fever” (Luke 4:38), though none of the narratives says what caused her illness. That the fever was high suggests she was seriously ill and maybe in danger of death.
Christ once again responded without delay and healed Peter’s mother-in-law immediately. She was not only a woman but also a Jew, which meant that although the Lord had warned the Jews about presuming upon salvation, He had not completely forsaken them, as ministry to Peter’s relative powerfully showed. The fact that salvation was available to faithful Gentiles did not mean it was now unavailable to faithful Jews. Paul later wrote, “God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. . . . In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s gracious choice” (Rom. 11:2, 5).
Ask Yourself
Among all religions, none has a higher view of women than does Christianity. And yet, it’s fair to ask ourselves if chauvinism is present within our hearts. Christ honored women. So should we.
Studying God’s Word ping
She still probably thought Peter wasn’t good enough for her daughter. /sarc
That sir is hilarious. 😆. I was getting ready to post the same exact thing.
” most male Jews have displayed much prejudice toward women”. If this assumption is true why is there a say “what good Jewish boy would not obey his mother request?”
So the first pope was MARRIED?!
Yes he understood male misery.
Old joke from Catechism class:
Q: why did Peter deny Christ three times?
A: he healed his mother-in-law.
It’s generally thought that he was widowed. Otherwise his wife would have waited on Jesus.
Peter’s wife is mentioned in one of Paul’s letters.
He mentioned Peter as being married.
Many of the limitations of the woman in the society were based on public life roles, but in the home and family life, women had great influence. But there were examples of woman doing acts which affected the general population such as queen Esther or Judith.
I Cor 9:5
Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
Thanks. That is the verse I was thinking of.
a little off topic, but almost a eulogy for himself, delivered 51 years ago by JM https://www.gty.org/sermons/1777/pauls-view-of-the-ministry-part-1-serving-and-teaching
She may have waited on Jesus, it just wasn’t recorded. She was with him on one of his journeys, so no he wasn’t widowed.
“She may have waited on Jesus, it just wasn’t recorded.”
That’s exactly right. Many women ministered to Jesus and even financially supported Him, and the ones He healed are specifically mentioned:
Luke 8:1-3 NKJV
Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.
It may have been the m-i-l’s house.
It would make sense that Peter’s wife was living with her mom while Peter was abroad being discipled by Jesus for those three years.
Amazing Thread Metmom!
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The Samaritan Woman
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Mary Magdalin
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That None should perish!
Well Jesus did tell his disciples (including Peter) that if they believed in him and followed him they would face persecution the remaining days of their lives. I can only guess that, by healing Peter’s mother-in-law, he was marking the beginning of Peter’s persecution.
Note: Please do not take this seriously, I loved my MIL very much, she was a fantastic MIL, woman, person.
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