Luke 4:39Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

For since the disease was curable, He shewed His power by the manner of the cure, doing what art could never do. For after the allaying of the fever, the patient needs much time ere he be restored to his former health, but at this time all took place at once.

The Sovereign of all was sustained by the kindness of His disciples, similar to how He is welcomed by Peter today, healing his mother-in-law. This action teaches us the importance of accepting the gifts of those in need. He not only restores her from illness but also grants her vitality and the ability to serve. Likewise, if we welcome Him into our lives, He will alleviate our afflictions—such as the fever of resentment and hesitation—and elevate us so that we may serve Him, fulfilling what delights Him.

Let us therefore receive Jesus. For when He has visited us, we carry Him in our heart and mind; He will then extinguish the flames of our unlicensed pleasures, and will make us whole, so that we minister unto Him, that is, do things well-pleasing to Him.

But if we weigh these things with deeper thoughts, we shall consider the health of the mind as well as the body; that the mind which was assailed by the wiles of the devil may be released first. Eve was not a hungered before the serpent beguiled her, and therefore against the author of evil himself ought the medicine of salvation first to operate. Perhaps also in that woman as in a type our flesh languished under the various fevers of crimes, nor should I say that the fever of love was less than that of bodily heat.

Instead of "requested," the term "asked" and the word "forbade" in place of "commanded" are used. The matter concerning Peter's mother-in-law is made clear in the eighth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew.

(Note: The original Greek word ἠρώτησαν is translated as "asked," which aligns with interpretations by various commentators, including Euthymius Zigabenus, who uses "begged," while Ep. Cassian translates it as "prayed." The literal meaning is presented here to avoid redundancy in the interpretation. See Matthew 4:24 for reference.)

Here Luke speaks figuratively, as of a command given to a sensible being, saying, that the fever was commanded, and neglected not the work of Him who commanded it. Hence it follows: And she arose, and ministered unto them.

For if we say that a man released from the devil represents morally the mind cleansed from unclean thoughts, consequently a woman vexed by fever, but cured at our Lord’s command, represents the flesh controlled by the rules of continence in the fury of its own lust.

The Saviour chose to dine on the Sabbath at Simon’s home. In doing so, He seemed to desire to demonstrate His deep love for Simon, aiming to draw him closer to Himself, to sever the connections that still linked Simon to his household, and to encourage his family to be more accepting of his separation from them. Upon His arrival, He performed a miracle by healing his mother-in-law, who was afflicted with a serious fever.

After leaving the synagogue, Christ traveled to the home of Simon and Andrew, who hailed from Bethsaida (John 1:44). At this location, Simon's mother-in-law was gravely ill with a fever, prompting them to implore the Lord on her behalf. When Jesus approached her, He laid His hands upon her (Mt.), grasped her hand (Mk.), and commanded the fever to depart (Lk.).

They arrived at the home of Simon, where his mother-in-law was afflicted with a high fever. Luke, the Evangelist, notes that her condition was quite severe. It is evident that Simon, Andrew, and their companions, having observed Jesus curing others, requested Him to heal her as well. The healing, as was the case with all of Jesus' acts of restoration, occurred instantly: the fever left her at once, and she began to serve them (Mark 1:31). A high fever, particularly one that is severe, can be exceedingly draining, leaving the patient unable to rise from bed or walk unaided even after recovery; yet Simon’s mother-in-law, liberated from her serious illness, stood up and served them. This indicates not only the departure of her affliction but also the complete return of her strength. In this, we can clearly recognize the uniqueness of the miracle that Jesus performed for Simon Peter's mother-in-law.

Christ departed from the synagogue and went to Simon Peter's home. There, He was confronted with cries for assistance concerning illness and distress. Simon, whom He had previously chosen as an apostle, was married (1 Corinthians 9:5), and his mother-in-law was suffering from a serious fever. The sorrowful family sought out Christ for His help. The Savior approached the ailing woman, took her hand, raised her up, and commanded the fever to depart; His voice, reverberating through her entire being, conquered the roots of her affliction. Immediately restored, the woman stood up and began to serve them in the home.

Following the miraculous healing of the man possessed by demons in the synagogue, Jesus Christ arrived at the home of Simon and Andrew, who were brothers from Bethsaida, accompanied by James and John. Upon their arrival, they encountered profound sorrow as Simon’s mother-in-law was gravely ill with a high fever. The plight of the sick woman was brought before the Lord, requesting His assistance. Ever compassionate and full of mercy, Jesus quickly responded to their plea. He approached the suffering woman, took her hand, lifted her up, and the fever departed from her immediately.