Peter is well known as an apostle and leader in the early church. He was married to a wonderful woman who supported him, and Jesus, in their ministry.
In the Gospels we see Peter being introduced to Jesus by his brother Andrew [John 1:35-42]. Jesus called Simon by a new name, Cephas or Peter, meaning “stone.” The Gospel of Mark shows Jesus’ next named encounter with Peter [Mark 1:16-20]. Jesus saw great potential in Peter, and his heavenly Father worked in Jesus’ heart to call this man to greater commitment and service. It was time to leave the fishing business and to fish for men!
Peter continued to grow in his commitment to his Master, God’s only-begotten Son who taught Peter about the Father. Jesus and Peter developed a closer relationship following this call to fish for men. Peter, Andrew, James, and John went with Jesus to their local synagogue on the Sabbath where Jesus cast an unclean spirit out of a man [Mark 1:21-28]. Then Jesus went to Peter and Andrew’s home along with James and John. There he ministered healing to Peter’s mother-in-law who was sick with a fever (Mark 1:29-31). This is also in Luke’s gospel.
Luke 4:38-41:
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.
And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them.
Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.
And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.
Peter’s wife supported her husband in opening her home to Jesus Christ and his ministry—where God’s power was mightily made known. This happened shortly after her mother was healed.
Mark 2:1:
And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.
Many Bible scholars believe that “the house” referred to Peter’s home in Capernaum. Just imagine what Peter’s wife would have thought of this amazing prophet healing her own mother. She would share in Peter’s vision of following his master. And she not only saw her mother healed, but then begin to serve in thankfulness for her deliverance. That same evening, Peter’s wife heard how Jesus healed many other people and cast out devils (Mark 1:32-34). Then she allowed Peter to join Jesus on a preaching itinerary throughout all Galilee (Mark 1:35-39).
After these events, Jesus challenged Peter and encouraged him to take on even greater committed service to God and His people [Luke 5:1-11]. Peter had seen Jesus perform mighty miracles, including healing his own mother-in-law. Here in Luke 5, Jesus is at the Sea of Galilee not far from Peter’s hometown of Capernaum. Jesus allowed Peter to help with his ministry by using his boat to teach from.
Afterward, Jesus gave Peter some very practical advice about where to go fishing. He asked Peter to cast all of his nets into the deep. Peter knew that Jesus had told him he would catch men, but Peter wasn’t convinced that Jesus knew a lot about the fishing business. He tried to “be nice” and go along, just a little, with Jesus’ suggestion by throwing in a single net. When Peter cast in the single net, “they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink” [verses 6,7].
Peter saw that Jesus Christ knew how to fish, not by years of experience in the fishing business like Peter and his partners, but because Jesus walked by the spirit of God. At this point, Peter was full of condemnation for doubting the Master. He was ready to quit and allow Jesus to walk away from his life. Falling at Jesus’ knees, he asked him to leave.
Peter had grown in commitment, but when it came to giving up the fishing business and fully trusting God, he was not quite there yet. Jesus could have made Peter feel even worse about his failure. But he didn’t. Jesus Christ gave Peter the opportunity to totally sell out in service and keep God first in all that he did. At this point, Peter and his partners “forsook all” and followed God’s only-begotten Son. This included Peter’s wife supporting Jesus and his ministry.
Peter’s wife stood with her husband during vital times in the church’s growth. Later, Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James, and John to be apostles (Luke 6:12-14). Peter’s wife was like-minded and prayed with others in the early days of the church.
Acts 1:14,15:
These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty).
Not long after, Peter helped about three thousand people get born again on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-41). He also served as a great leader in the early church and was the first to bring salvation to the Gentiles (Acts 10: 1—11:18). His wife would have been with him through it all.
As Peter took on great leadership in the Church after the day of Pentecost, his wife continued with him. He led her in their marriage as a good and strong husband.
1 Corinthians 9:5:
Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas [Peter]?
Some Bible scholars believe that Peter mentions his wife being with him at the close of his first epistle.
I Peter 5:13 [New International Version]:
She [Peter’s wife] who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark.
Peter’s “son” was John Mark, who served with Peter. This is the same “Mark” who wrote the gospel. Peter and his wife helped influence so much of God’s Word being known. They served the Master together.
Jesus in his resurrected body encouraged Peter to carry out God’s will. He was to allow “another” to gird and carry him.
John 21:17,18:
He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
That “other’ was the Holy Spirit working in Peter. That was how Peter was able to “feed” Jesus’ sheep. And his wife was there to help in serving the Master.
