Sick of a fever.
Peter was a disciple, yet affliction was permitted to visit his domestic circle.
Affliction at home
1. Develops social sympathy.
2. Brings out family characteristics.
3. Unites the household in devotional exercises.
4. Evokes practical and affectionate gratitude. (Dr. Parker.)
Fevers at Capernaum
How do you account for the prevalence of fevers at Capernaum? for it was there, of course, that “Peter’s wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever.” Fevers are still prevalent in this region, particularly in summer and autumn, owing to the extreme heat acting upon the marshy plains, like that of El Batihah,, at the influxof the Jordan. (W. M. Thomson, D. D.)
Domestic affliction an imoving ministry
You would not be half the man you are but for your sick child; your tendency is towards bumptiousness, aggressiveness of speech, sternness, harshness. You have a magisterial cast and bearing in your life; but that little sick child has softened you, and been like a benediction upon your life. Men now take notice of your voice and say, “What new tones have subtly entered into it; how different” the kind grasp, how noble the new bearing, how impressive the sacred patience, how touching and pathetic the sadness of the face!” Afflictions do not spring out of the dust: do not be impatient with them; we need something to soften this hard life. O, if it were all buying, selling, getting gain, outrunning one another in a race for wealth in which the racers take no time to recover themselves-there would be no gardens on the face of the earth, no places consecrated to floral beauty, no houses built for music, no churches set up for prayer. But affliction helps to keep us right, affliction brings us to our knees. (J. Perkier, D. D.)