And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever.

MATTHEW 8:14KJV
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Matthew 8:14 (KJV)

What does Matthew 8:14 mean?

Matthew 8:14 describes Jesus entering Peter’s house and noticing Peter’s mother-in-law lying down, sick with a fever. The verse sets the scene for a personal moment where Jesus encounters illness within the family of one of his closest followers.

This verse is part of a series of events where Jesus performs healings. The focus here is on the private setting—Jesus is not in a public place but inside Peter’s home. The mention of Peter’s mother-in-law being sick highlights both Peter’s family life and the reality of everyday suffering that Jesus addresses directly.

The Greek behind Matthew 8:14

  • οἶκος (oikos, "house"): This word refers to a dwelling or household, emphasizing that Jesus is entering a private, family space rather than a public area.
  • πενθερά (penthera, "mother-in-law"): The Greek term makes it clear that the sick woman is Peter’s wife’s mother, which also shows that Peter was married.
  • βεβλημένην (beblēmenēn, "laid"): This word is often understood as “lying down” or “reclining,” which suggests she was bedridden due to her illness.
  • πυρέσσουσα (pyressousa, "fever"): The Greek word specifically means suffering from a fever, indicating a significant illness rather than a minor ailment.

Why Matthew 8:14 matters

  • Matthew 8:14 shows that Jesus’s care extended to the families of his disciples, not just to crowds or strangers, highlighting his personal concern.
  • The verse quietly confirms Peter’s marital status, which is sometimes overlooked, by mentioning his mother-in-law.
  • By setting the healing in a home, Matthew 8:14 connects Jesus’s miraculous work to everyday life, not just public ministry.

Where else these words appear

“fever” Greek G4445 · used in 2 verses

  • Mark 1:30 But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.

“mother” Greek G3994 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 10:35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
  • Mark 1:30 But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.
  • Luke 4:38 And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her.

“house” Greek G3614 · used in 85 verses

  • Matthew 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
  • Mark 6:4 But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.
  • Luke 18:29 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake,

“laid” Greek G906 · used in 107 verses

  • Matthew 3:10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
  • Mark 9:42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
  • John 18:11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?