And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.
All Commentaries on Matthew 8:15 Go To Matthew 8
John Chrysostom
AD 407
Hom. xxvii: Why did He enter into Peter’s house? I think to take food; for it follows, “And she arose, and ministered to them.” For He abode with His disciples to do them honour, and to make them more zealous. Observe Peter's reverence towards Christ; though his mother-in-law lay at home sick of a fever, yet he did not force Him thither at once, but waited till His teaching should be completed, and others healed. For from the beginning he was instructed top refer others to himself. Wherefore he did not even bring Him thither, but Christ went in of Himself; purposing, because the centurion had said, “I am notworthy that thou shouldest come under my roof,” to show what He granted to adisciple. And He did not scorn to enter the humble hut of a fisherman, instructing us in every thing to trample upon human pride. Sometimes He heals by a word, sometimes He reaches forth His hand; as here, “He touched her hand, and the fever left her. "For He would not always work miracles with display of surpassing power, but would sometimes be hid. By touching her body He not only banished the fever, but restored her to perfect health. Because her sickness was such as art could cure, He showed his power to heal, in doing what medicine could not do, giving her back perfect health and strength at once; which is intimated in what the Evangelist adds, “And she arose, and ministered to them.”.
This, “she arose and ministered unto them,” shows at once the Lord’s power, and the woman’s feeling towards Christ.
