Notes on Mark 1, verses 29-31

by Jonathan Spurlock
(Holts Summit, MO)

Mark 1:29, KJV: And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.

The New Testament doesn’t say much about how synagogue services began or ended, that I’m aware of. It goes without saying that all services did have an ending, and here at least the people returned to a lodging place. Mark adds that “they”, probably Jesus and others. The text in the KJV is not clear whether James and John were the “they” or if other people followed Him.

The group came to “the house of Simon and Andrew” but nothing is said of their families in this verse. The next verse, though, does add some light to Simon Peter’s family situation.

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

Simon Peter had a mother-in-law and there is only one way to obtain one of those: marry one of her children! The names of Simon’s wife and his mother-in-law are never revealed in Scripture.

“Anon” and “forthwith” in the last verse are both based on the same word for “immediately” in the original. Once they found she had a fever, it seems they told Jesus about her condition promptly.

31 And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.

“Lifted her up” most likely means the Lord held her hand and raised her up to a sitting or perhaps standing position. Mark is careful to add that the fever didn’t leave Simon’s mother-in-law until she was “lifted up”. Faith on her part, and healing on the Lord’s part, worked together and she was healed.

Simon’s mother-in-law demonstrated her healing when “she ministered unto them.” The exact meaning for that phrase is not clear in the KJV. At the very least this proves she was healed, and, likely, grateful.

Scripture quotations taken from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV).