MPV Commentary

They entered Simon and Andrew's house with James and John. The mention of these four is unique to Mark and marks one of the first instances of Peter's influence in this Gospel. As the house belonged to Simon, and the illness was closely related to him, it's interesting that Luke specifies the number and names of the witnesses. This also highlights the first time the sacred trio of Peter, James, and John were chosen as a threefold witness to certain events in Jesus' life.

Simon's wife lay sick with a fever. Luke describes it professionally, calling it a "great fever" to distinguish it from lesser fevers known to Greek physicians. The disciples naturally hoped that Jesus would show compassion and power towards one of his own followers, just as he had done for the demonized stranger in the synagogue.

Jesus came, took her by the hand, and lifted her up. This act of condescension was likely felt deeply by Peter. Mark alone records this detail. The fever left her immediately, and she prepared their Sabbath meal, demonstrating both the completeness and immediacy of the cure as well as her gratitude to Jesus.

At evening, when the sun set (or was setting), they brought all who were sick or possessed with demons to Jesus. They waited until after the Sabbath hours, as seen in Luke 13:14, where bringing the sick to Jesus during this time would have been considered unlawful. Our Lord later used these instances to teach people about the importance of not straining the Sabbath rest.

The entire city gathered at Peter's door, comprising the sick, those who brought them, and spectators. This vivid scene is characteristic of Mark's Gospel. Jesus healed many who were sick with various diseases and cast out many demons. In Matthew 8:16, it's said that he cast out spirits with a word.

Jesus did not allow the demons to speak because they knew him. They would have proclaimed his Messiahship if permitted, but once in one day was enough. After this account of Jesus' miracles, we see in Matthew 8:17 a quote from Isaiah 53:4, "He took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses."

The next morning, after the remarkable Sabbath, Jesus rose early before dawn to depart into a solitary place and pray. He was about to begin his first preaching and healing circuit, and as on similar occasions (Luke 5:16; 6:12; 9:18, 28, 29; Mark 6:46), he spent time in special prayer. This was likely with the intention of preparing for what lay ahead.

When morning came, Peter waited for Jesus to appear beyond the usual hour but found him gone. A party was quickly formed to search for him, led by Peter. When they finally found Jesus, they said, "All men seek you." By this time, the multitudes who had sought after him (Luke 4:42) would have arrived and urged his return to their impatient townsmen.

Jesus replied, "Let us go into the next towns that I may preach there also; for therefore came I forth from the Father." This phraseology is similar to John 16:28, where Jesus says, "I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world." The language in Luke (4:43) expresses the necessity under which Jesus acted in this step of his work. He had to preach the kingdom of God to other cities as well, for that was why he was sent.

It's clear that there were overmastering considerations on the other side that led Jesus to resist the pleas to return to Capernaum.