The Lord left the synagogue in Capernaum and immediately went to Peter’s house. (There is evidence the location of both the synagogue and Peter’s house are still known). The village of Capernaum was small, and the two buildings are located close together.
There Jesus healed the mother-in-law of Peter. It was a compassionate action by Jesus, allowing her to then serve Jesus, Peter, Andrew, James and John. Most interesting, there is significance in what the event reveals about Peter.
First, Peter had the domestic qualification of being “the husband of one wife” (1 Timothy 3:2) to be an elder of the Lord’s church. And he was an elder (cf. 1 Peter 5:1). Consider that the qualifications listed in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 are requirements, not suggestions.
Second, Paul was able to use Peter to show the legitimacy (scriptural basis) for supporting the work he did. He indicated that he and Barnabas had the right to “take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas” (1 Cor. 9:5).
