Who was Peter's mother-in-law?

She was the unnamed mother-in-law of the Apostle Peter, mentioned in the Gospels. Her significance comes from being healed by Jesus of a high fever, which demonstrated His power and compassion early in His ministry (Matthew 8:14-15, Mark 1:29-31, Luke 4:38-39).

What happened to Peter's mother-in-law in the Bible?

Jesus healed her of a severe fever. After being healed, she immediately got up and began to serve Jesus and His disciples, showing her gratitude and restored strength (Mark 1:31). This miracle is one of Jesus's first recorded healings.

Why is Peter's mother-in-law important?

Her healing is a significant early miracle that shows Jesus's authority over illness and His compassion. Her immediate response of service also provides a model of grateful discipleship for all believers after receiving God's grace.

motherInLaw of Peter

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Peter's unnamed mother-in-law, whom Jesus healed of a fever.

Biography

The mother-in-law of Simon Peter is an unnamed woman whose encounter with Jesus is recorded in all three Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 8:14-15; Mark 1:29-31; Luke 4:38-39). When Jesus entered Peter's home in Capernaum, He found her bedridden with a high fever. In Mark's account, the disciples immediately told Jesus about her condition. Jesus approached her, took her by the hand, and rebuked the fever. She was instantly and completely healed, a fact demonstrated by her immediate response of rising to serve Jesus and His companions. Her healing took place early in Jesus' Galilean ministry and was followed that same evening by crowds bringing their sick to Peter's door, marking a pivotal moment in the public revelation of Jesus' healing power.

Significance

Peter's mother-in-law holds a quiet but important place in the Gospel narrative as the recipient of one of Jesus' earliest recorded healing miracles. Her story reveals several key theological truths: Jesus' compassion extends into the intimate, domestic sphere; His power over illness is immediate and total; and genuine healing naturally produces grateful service. Her response of rising to serve has been celebrated throughout church history as a model of discipleship, where restoration by Christ leads directly to ministry for Christ. Additionally, her existence confirms that Peter was married (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:5), providing insight into the domestic lives of Jesus' closest followers and the sacrifices their families made.

Verse Appearances (3)

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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