Peter’s mother-in-law

Drawing of Peter’s mother-in-law by Lorenzo Ferri according to the indications of Maria Valtorta. Source: documentary collection of the Maria Valtorta Heritage Foundation.

A Galilean from Capernaum, she is the widow of a purple dye merchant whose name is unknown.

The mother-in-law of Peter has a large family without the exact number of her children being known. She has several sons and at least four daughters-in-law. She also has several sons-in-law and daughters, including Porphirea, married to Peter, the eldest of her sons-in-law. It is logically assumed, though without certainty, that Porphirea was probably the eldest of her daughters, especially since her name derives from purple (porphyra in Greek), the origin of the family fortune.

It is presumed that her widowhood and the charge of managing her household are the origins of her difficult character. Her relations are stormy with her son-in-law Simon (Peter), especially since he left following Jesus, neglecting, according to Salton, his responsibilities.

The mother-in-law is, according to the words of Simon-Peter, "a quarrelsome woman" which contrasts with the gentleness of her daughter who "is very good, and proof of this is having patiently endured her mother with all her wickedness... She is an authoritative woman who bowed her wills to her daughters and daughters-in-law," says Andrew the Apostle.

Considering her advanced Age, the illness that affects her is incurable. Peter brings Jesus in the hope of healing her. She receives him, not without rebuking her son-in-law. Jesus heals her as recorded in Mark 1:29-31 and Luke 4:38-39. Barely on her feet, she takes back the reins of her household and resumes her reproaches towards Peter: "But, with that, you gain nothing. You would do better, since you want to be the servant of the Prophet (Jesus), to settle down here again. At least this poor creature, my daughter, while you play the saint, would have relatives to take care of her."

Drawing of Peter’s mother-in-law’s house by Lorenzo Ferri according to the indications of Maria Valtorta. Source: documentary collection of the Maria Valtorta Heritage Foundation.

The move to Capernaum thus takes place but does not last. Porphirea ends up "preferring to live alone (in Bethsaida) rather than hear the constant complaints of her mother about her husband."

It is in the mother-in-law’s house that the healing of the paralytic, lowered through the roof, takes place.

Where is she mentioned in the work?

EMV 50 EMV 60 EMV 93

EMV 124 EMV 153

EMV 449 EMV 470

In other sources

Doctor Johannes Sepp in Life of Our Lord Jesus states that her name was Jeanne (or Johanna), but without citing sources.