Mark 1:29-31

Mark 1:29-31

[29] And  forthwith,  when they were come  out of  the synagogue,  they entered  into  the house  of Simon  and  Andrew,  with  James  and  John.  [30] But  Simon's  wife's mother  lay  sick of a fever,  and  anon  they tell  him  of  her.  [31] And  he came  and took  her  by the hand,  her  up;  and  the fever  left  her,  and  she ministered  unto them. 

What does Mark 1:29-31 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

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. [1]
"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. (Shabb37a)." [2]
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.