Matthew 8:15Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Why did He enter into Peter’s house? I think to take food; for it follows, And she arose, and ministered to them. For He abode with His disciples to do them honour, and to make them more zealous. Observe Peter’s reverence towards Christ; though his mother-in-law lay at home sick of a fever, yet he did not force Him thither at once, but waited till His teaching should be completed, and others healed. For from the beginning he was instructed to prefer others to himself. Wherefore he did not even bring Him thither, but Christ went in of Himself; purposing, because the centurion had said, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof, to shew what He granted to a disciple.

He entered the home of Peter to partake in a meal; and upon taking her hand, He not only alleviated the fever but also restored her to complete health, enabling her strength to be renewed so that she could serve. We recognize that recovery from illness typically requires a significant amount of time for the afflicted to regain their vigor. While other Gospel writers indicate that the Lord was requested to heal the sick woman, Matthew, favoring conciseness, chose not to include this detail. As mentioned earlier, each writer sometimes omits aspects that others include. It is also important to understand that marriage does not impede the pursuit of virtue, as the foremost of the apostles had a mother-in-law.

When this miracle was done, that is, after what, or before what, Matthew has not said. For we need not understand that it took place just after that which it follows in the relation; he may be returning here to what he had omitted above. For Mark relates this after the cleansing of the leper, (Mark 1:30.) which should seem to follow the sermon on the mount, concerning which Mark is silent. Luke also follows the same order in relating this concerning Peter’s mother-in-law as Mark; also inserting it before that long sermon which seems to be the same with Matthew’s sermon on the mount.

For naturally the greatest weakness follows fever, and the evils of sickness begin to be felt as the patient begins to recover; but that health which is given by the Lord’s power is complete at once.

The individual who had been lying down stood up and began to serve Him. You marvel at the Lord's humility, how He entered the humble abode of a fisherman without hesitation, honoring the disciple while simultaneously teaching us the value of humility. When He touched her hand, He not only removed the fever but instantly brought her back to complete health, as she arose and began to serve; typically, even after a fever has passed, it takes considerable time for the ill to regain their previous strength. On the sea, He not only calmed the tempest but silenced the waves as well; ordinarily, after a storm, the waves continue to move for an extended period. Thus, Christ demonstrated the ability not only to eliminate the burden of illness but also to restore one to their original well-being.

Or; In Peter’s wife’s mother is shewn the sickly condition of infidelity, to which freedom of will is near akin, being united by the bonds as it were of wedlock. By the Lord’s entrance into Peter’s house, that is into the body, unbelief is cured, which was before sick of the fever of sin, and ministers in duties of righteousness to the Saviour.

Figuratively; Peter’s house is the Law, or the circumcision, his mother-in-law the synagogue, which is as it were the mother of the Church committed to Peter. She is in a fever, that is, she is sick of zealous hate, and persecutes the Church. The Lord touches her hand, when He turns her carnal works to spiritual uses.

Or, every soul that struggles with fleshly lusts is sick of a fever, but touched with the hand of Divine mercy, it recovers health, and restrains the concupiscence of the flesh by the bridle of continence, and with those limbs with which it had served uncleanness, it now ministers to righteousness.

Or by Peter’s mother-in-law may be understood the Law, which according to the Apostle was made weak through the flesh, i. e. the carnal understanding. But when the Lord through the mystery of the Incarnation appeared visibly in the synagogue, and fulfilled the Law in action, and taught that it was to be understood spiritually; straightway it thus allied with the grace of the Gospel received such strength, that what had been the minister of death and punishment, became the minister of life and glory.

The Lord, seeking to demonstrate His affection for the humble apostle and to strengthen their bond, also aimed to encourage his family to distance themselves from Simon. He approached the sick woman’s bedside, stood over her, and touched her hand. As the Evangelist Mark narrates, He lifted her up and commanded the affliction to leave. Consequently, not only did the illness vanish, but as St. Chrysostom notes, her health was fully restored. She rose and began to serve them, immediately preparing the evening meal for the Lord and His disciples. St. Chrysostom comments that this action illustrated Christ's authority and the eagerness of the woman to serve Him. This instance shows how Christ can heal one person through the faith of others, similar to how intercession was made for the centurion's servant.

The Savior chose to dine on the Sabbath at the home of Simon. In doing so, He seemed to want to demonstrate His deep love for Simon, aiming to strengthen their bond and loosen the connections that still tethered him to his family. To encourage his family to accept this separation from Simon, He immediately healed his mother-in-law, who was suffering greatly from a high fever, upon His arrival.

After leaving the synagogue, Christ visited the home of Simon and Andrew, who hailed from Bethsaida (John 1:44). At that location, Simon's mother-in-law was gravely afflicted by a fever, prompting them to urgently seek the Lord's assistance for her. When Jesus arrived, He reached out to her, taking her by the hand (Mark) and commanding the fever to depart (Luke).

The healing that took place, much like all instances of Christ restoring the sick, occurred instantaneously: the fever instantly departed from her, allowing her to begin serving them (Mark 1:31). A fever, particularly one that is intense, severely depletes the strength of the afflicted, making it difficult for the individual to rise from bed and walk without assistance. In the case of Simon's mother-in-law, who was healed from a severe fever, she arose and began to minister to them (Luke 4:39); thus, not only did her illness leave her, but her vitality, diminished during her sickness, was also restored. This aspect underscores the uniqueness of the miracle that Jesus enacted for the mother of Simon Peter.

After leaving the synagogue, Christ arrived at the home of Simon, where He encountered urgent requests for assistance due to illness and affliction. Simon, already chosen to be an apostle, was married, and his mother-in-law was suffering from a severe fever. The distressed family turned to the Lord for His aid. The Savior approached the ailing woman, took her by the hand, lifted her up, and commanded the fever to depart. His authoritative voice, penetrating her very being, conquered the roots of her ailment. Instantly healed, she rose and began to serve them at the table.

They quickly informed the Lord about the ailing woman and sought His assistance. Ever merciful and full of compassion, He promptly responded to their plea: He approached the sick woman, took her by the hand, and raised her up, causing the fever to depart immediately. She was fully healed, got out of bed, and began attending to household tasks, preparing the evening meal for the Lord and His disciples, or as the Evangelist describes, rising and serving Him. This act was not only indicative of the woman's devotion to Christ but also a testament to Christ's power, which restored her to vitality. This miracle further reinforced the disciples’ belief in the higher calling of their Master, brought comfort to Simon, and instilled in his family a greater willingness to part from him, as they were now called to follow the Lord.