Mark 1:30
ESV
Now Simon 's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her.
NIV
Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her.
NASB
Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and they immediately *spoke to Jesus about her.
CSB
Simon’s mother-in-law was lying in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once.
NLT
Now Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. They told Jesus about her right away.
KJV
But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.
NKJV
But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once.
What does Mark 1:30 mean?
As Simon Peter returns home with his brother Andrew, Jesus, James and John, he learns that his mother-in-law is sick with a fever. The word translated "fever" here is from, the Greek puresso. In this era, people didn't see a fever as a symptom of a disease; they thought of the fever as the disease itself. At this point, Jesus' powers have proved He can exorcise a demon (Mark 1:23–26) and find a lot of fish (Luke 5:4–7). Somehow, however, He has engendered Simon Peter's trust, and immediately, Simon Peter tells Jesus about his wife's mother.It's often complicated to discuss Jesus' power to heal. It is not always in God's plan to physically heal people, but, like Simon Peter, we should always be willing to ask. Hebrews 4:16 says we can "with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." The impulsive Simon Peter, who around this same time told Jesus to leave because he feels unworthy (Luke 5:8), now approaches Jesus for help. It's not clear if Peter even thinks Jesus can heal her, but he has to ask. We should have the same trusting boldness when approaching God.
Mark 1:21–45 opens a longer section describing the healing and preaching ministry of Jesus Christ. In this segment, Jesus impresses onlookers with His mastery of the Scriptures. He also amazes people with His authoritative style. During this teaching, Jesus heals a man afflicted with demonic possession. The resulting publicity brings a massive crowd to the home of Simon Peter, where Jesus is staying. Jesus heals Peter's mother-in-law of a fever, and cures a leper, before leaving the region to continue His ministry.
John the Baptist is introduced as a figure preparing the world for the arrival of the Messiah. John's baptism teaches people about their need for repentance. When Jesus arrives, and is baptized, it signals the coming of God's fulfillment and the need of people to recognize their Savior. Mark briefly notes Jesus' baptism, desert temptation, and the calling of the first four disciples. After this, Jesus begins teaching in the synagogue and performs miraculous healings which spread His fame around the region.
