Mark 1:29-31

2. The healing of Peter’s mother-in-law 1:29-31 (cf. Matthew 8:14-15; Luke 4:38-39)

This incident, which happened immediately after the previous one, displays a different aspect of Jesus’ authority, His power over physical sickness. In Jesus day, people regarded fever as a disease not necessarily related to other maladies. [Note: Lane, p. 77.]

"The Talmud gives this disease precisely the same name . . ., ’burning fever,’ and prescribes for it a magical remedy, of which the principal part is to tie a knife wholly of iron by a braid of hair to a thornbush, and to repeat on successive days Exodus 3:2-3, then Exodus 3:4, and finally Exodus 3:5, after which the bush is to be cut down, while a certain magical formula is pronounced. (Shabb. 37a)." [Note: Edersheim, 1:486.]

The account is full of detail that must have come to Mark through Peter, who had a special interest in this healing. Evidently Andrew and Simon shared this house with Simon’s mother-in-law and perhaps other family members. Jesus’ power resulted in instantaneous and complete recovery. The fact that Peter had a family helps us appreciate the sacrifice he made to follow Jesus.