Luke 4:38 kjv
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.
Luke 4:38 nkjv
Now He arose from the synagogue and entered Simon's house. But Simon's wife's mother was sick with a high fever, and they made request of Him concerning her.
Luke 4:38 niv
Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon's mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her.
Luke 4:38 esv
And he arose and left the synagogue and entered Simon's house. Now Simon's mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they appealed to him on her behalf.
Luke 4:38 nlt
After leaving the synagogue that day, Jesus went to Simon's home, where he found Simon's mother-in-law very sick with a high fever. "Please heal her," everyone begged.
Luke 4 38 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mt 8:14-15 | When Jesus came into Peter's house, He saw his mother-in-law sick with a fever… He touched her hand... and she arose and served them. | Parallel account of this specific healing. |
| Mk 1:29-31 | As soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. But Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever... immediately they told Him about her. | Parallel account, similar context and urgency. |
| Lk 4:31-37 | Then He went down to Capernaum... And He was teaching them on the Sabbaths. And they were astonished... with authority He commands even the unclean spirits... | Immediate preceding context of Jesus' authority in Capernaum. |
| Mt 4:23 | And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. | Jesus' comprehensive ministry of healing and teaching. |
| Lk 4:18-19 | "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me to preach... To heal the brokenhearted..." | Jesus' mission statement, including healing. |
| Lk 6:19 | And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all. | Divine power flows from Jesus for healing. |
| Acts 10:38 | how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. | Apostolic summary of Jesus' healing ministry. |
| Ex 15:26 | "If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right... I will bring none of the diseases on you... for I am the LORD who heals you." | God as the divine Healer (Yahweh-Rapha). |
| Ps 103:3 | Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases... | God's compassionate nature as Healer. |
| Isa 53:4-5 | Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted... By His stripes we are healed. | Prophetic foundation for vicarious healing. |
| Lk 5:12-16 | And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus... And immediately the leprosy left him. | Jesus' power over serious, contagious diseases. |
| Lk 7:1-10 | For the centurion, who had heard of Jesus, sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant, who was dear to him and at the point of death. | Healing through faith and command, even at a distance. |
| Lk 8:43-48 | Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped. | Compassionate healing, demonstrating Jesus' power where human remedies fail. |
| Lk 9:1-2 | Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. | Commissioning of disciples to continue healing ministry. |
| Lk 13:10-17 | Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed over and could in no way raise herself up... He laid hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. | Jesus' active ministry of healing even on the Sabbath. |
| Jas 5:14-15 | Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick... | Post-resurrection prayer for healing. |
| Jn 14:12 | "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father." | Continuation of Jesus' works through believers. |
| 1 Cor 12:9, 28 | to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit... And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. | Spiritual gifts of healing in the church. |
| Heb 13:8 | Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. | Consistency of Jesus' power and nature, including healing. |
| Mt 10:1 | And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. | Jesus delegates His authority to heal. |
Luke 4 verses
Luke 4 38 Meaning
Luke 4:38 details Jesus' immediate actions following His authoritative teaching and exorcism in the Capernaum synagogue. He transitioned from public ministry to private hospitality, entering the home of Simon (Peter). Here, Jesus encountered a severe domestic illness, Simon's mother-in-law suffering from a high fever. The request made to Him underscores the faith and urgency of those present, seeking His divine intervention and healing power for a life-threatening condition. This event highlights Jesus' continuous compassion and His boundless authority over sickness, even in an intimate setting.
Luke 4 38 Context
Luke chapter 4 opens with Jesus' temptation in the wilderness and His return to Galilee. It transitions to His powerful teaching in the synagogue in Nazareth (where He proclaimed His messianic mission from Isa 61) and His subsequent rejection there. Following this, He moved to Capernaum, where He taught with authority in the synagogue and cast out an unclean spirit, astonishing the crowds (Lk 4:31-37). Luke 4:38 directly follows this miraculous demonstration, showing Jesus transitioning from the public synagogue to a private home, yet His divine authority and compassionate ministry continue seamlessly. This move underscores Jesus' willingness to meet people's needs not only in public religious settings but also in their private lives and homes. Culturally, hospitality was paramount in ancient Israel, making it natural for Jesus to be invited into a home after the synagogue service, especially for a prominent disciple like Simon. Fevers, lacking modern medicine, were often debilitating and potentially fatal, highlighting the dire situation Simon's mother-in-law faced.
Luke 4 38 Word analysis
- Now He arose: Greek ἀναστὰς (anastas). This is a participial phrase indicating that after rising, He then entered. It conveys immediate action, showing no pause in His activity or ministry from the synagogue.
- from the synagogue: The central place of Jewish public worship and teaching. Jesus just demonstrated His divine authority here. This transition shows Jesus' ministry is not confined to sacred spaces but extends into daily life.
- and entered: Greek εἰσῆλθεν (eisēlthen). A simple, direct action.
- Simon's house: Refers to Simon Peter, one of Jesus' earliest and most prominent disciples. This indicates the closeness and familial nature of Jesus' early ministry relationships. His house likely served as a base for Jesus' ministry in Capernaum.
- But: Greek δὲ (de). Connects the previous action with a new development.
- Simon's mother-in-law: Greek πενθερὰ (penthera) Σίμωνος (Simōnos). Clearly defines her familial relation to Peter. This shows Jesus engaging with Peter's personal family concerns.
- was suffering: Greek συνέχομαι (synechomai), here a passive participle. Implies she was "held," "gripped," or "overwhelmed" by the fever, conveying a sense of being captive or oppressed by the illness. This isn't just a minor ailment; it's a severe condition.
- with a high fever: Greek πυρετῷ μεγάλῳ (pyretō megalō). Luke, often identified as a physician (Col 4:14), uses precise medical terminology here. The adjective megalō ("great" or "severe") emphasizes the seriousness of her condition, beyond a common cold. This medical detail underscores the grave nature of her sickness and the significance of Jesus' swift, complete healing.
- and they asked Him: Greek ἠρώτησαν (ērōtēsan) αὐτὸν (auton) περὶ (peri) αὐτῆς (autēs). This verb implies an earnest request or even an entreaty, not a casual inquiry. "They" refers to Simon and possibly Andrew, James, John, or other disciples and family present, indicating collective concern and a belief in Jesus' power. The phrasing "about her" suggests a pleading, perhaps indirectly at first, for His help concerning her condition.
Words-group analysis:
- "Now He arose from the synagogue and entered Simon's house": This phrase highlights Jesus' active and immediate continuation of ministry beyond formal religious settings. It shows the shift from a public, structured environment to a private, personal one, yet His power remains consistently present.
- "Simon's mother-in-law was suffering with a high fever": This vividly portrays the dire physical reality. The emphasis on "high" and "suffering" ("gripped") underscores the severity of the illness, setting the stage for a dramatic divine intervention and demonstrating the pervasive presence of suffering that Jesus confronts.
- "and they asked Him about her": This reveals the faith and expectation of those in Peter's household. Their direct appeal to Jesus, knowing His recent acts in the synagogue, signifies their trust in His healing power and their desire for Him to extend His compassion to their personal need. It’s an urgent request for divine intervention.
Luke 4 38 Bonus section
- This account is unique to Luke in its specific wording "high fever" (πυρετῷ μεγάλῳ), emphasizing his medical background compared to Mark and Matthew who simply state "a fever."
- The transition from synagogue to home highlights that Jesus' authority and ministry are not bound by physical locations or ceremonial acts. His healing power transcends public worship settings and extends to private suffering, embodying the imminence of God's Kingdom in all aspects of life.
- The fact that this event occurs in Peter's home further establishes Peter's centrality in the Gospel narratives and demonstrates how Jesus integrates Himself into the lives and families of His disciples. Peter's household becomes a prime witness to Jesus' divine power early in His ministry.
- The readiness of "they" to approach Jesus, without being explicitly commanded to do so by Him, showcases a growing public understanding and trust in His power as a Healer and authority figure. This suggests the fame of His previous actions quickly spread.
Luke 4 38 Commentary
Luke 4:38 is a concise yet profound transition point in Jesus' early Capernaum ministry. Directly following a public demonstration of His authority over spiritual forces, Jesus immediately moves to a domestic setting, illustrating that His redemptive work is not limited to temples or synagogues but extends into the intimate spheres of human life and suffering. The description of Simon's mother-in-law suffering from a "high fever," detailed with the precision characteristic of Luke the physician, emphasizes the grave nature of her illness in a time without advanced medical care; such a condition could be fatal. The urgent plea made to Jesus by those present underscores their growing faith in Him, recognizing His unique power witnessed moments earlier. This verse sets the stage for a further demonstration of Jesus' compassion and sovereign authority over all forms of human brokenness, showcasing His accessible nature and readiness to respond to both spiritual and physical needs. It demonstrates the tangible reality of God's kingdom breaking into everyday human suffering.