What does Luke 4:38 mean?
The man mentioned here, Simon, is the apostle Peter (Mark 3:16; John 1:42). This verse confirms that he was married (1 Corinthians 9:5).Modern readers often struggle with ancient writing and its lack of direct, linear storytelling. Even those bible writers who explained history typically grouped events by topic, not necessarily by time. In this case, Luke mentions Jesus visiting the home of Simon Peter and Andrew (John 1:40; 6:8) before explaining how He came to call them as disciples. Whether this visit happened earlier or later than the disciples' call is not explicitly clear. In contrast, Luke's reference to the synagogue (Luke 4:33) implies that event happened directly before this one.
Luke is referred to as a "physician" (Colossians 4:14), which helps to explain his notable interest in Jesus' healing miracles. Luke pointedly notes the woman was gravely ill. The phrase translated "high fever" uses the root word megas, implying something great, large, or intense. This is not simply a minor cold.
