"a mother-in-law, Mt. 8:14; 10:35; Mk. 1:30; Lk. 4:38; 12:53*"
Definition and meaning
a mother-in-law, Mt. 8:14; 10:35; Mk. 1:30; Lk. 4:38; 12:53*
In the original Greek the word is written: πενθερά
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of penthera (G3994) across the King James Bible.
And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever.
For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.
And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her.
The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
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Common questions
Strong's G3994 (penthera) is a Greek word that means: a mother-in-law, Mt. 8:14; 10:35; Mk. 1:30; Lk. 4:38; 12:53* It appears 5 times in the King James Bible.
The word penthera (G3994) appears 5 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3994 is penthera, a Greek word defined as: a mother-in-law, Mt. 8:14; 10:35; Mk. 1:30; Lk. 4:38; 12:53*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
penthera is a Greek word found in the New Testament.