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MARCH 29
38 Now He arose from the synagogue and
entered Simon’s house. But Simon’s wife’s
mother was sick with a high fever, and they
12:23 conceals.Unlike the fool who makes all made request of Him concerning her. So He
39
hear his folly, the wise person is a model of stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left
restraint and humility, speaking what he her. And immediately she arose and served
knows at an appropriate time (see 29:11).
them.
But the lazy man will be put to forced
labor.
4:38 Simon’s wife’s mother. Peter was married
Anxiety in the heart of man causes (1 Cor.9:5),though no details about his wife are
25
depression, given anywhere in Scripture. a high fever.
But a good word makes it glad. Matthew 8:14,15 and Mark 1:30,31 also report
Luke 4:31–44 this miracle. But only Luke, the physician,
remarks that the fever was “high” and makes
31 Then He went down to Capernaum, a city note of the means Jesus used to heal her (v.39).
of Galilee, and was teaching them on the
Sabbaths. And they were astonished at His
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teaching, for His word was with authority. 40 When the sun was setting, all those who
33 Now in the synagogue there was a man who had any that were sick with various diseases
had a spirit of an unclean demon. And he cried brought them to Him; and He laid His hands
out with a loud voice, saying, “Let us alone! on every one of them and healed them. And
41
34
What have we to do with You, Jesus of Naza- demons also came out of many, crying out and
reth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of God!”
You are—the Holy One of God!” And He, rebuking them, did not allow them
35 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, to speak, for they knew that He was the
and come out of him!” And when the demon Christ.
had thrown him in their midst, it came out of 42 Now when it was day, He departed and
36
him and did not hurt him. Then they were all went into a deserted place. And the crowd
amazed and spoke among themselves, saying, sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep
“What a word this is! For with authority and Him from leaving them; but He said to them,
43
power He commands the unclean spirits, and “I must preach the kingdom of God to the
they come out.” And the report about Him other cities also, because for this purpose I
37
went out into every place in the surrounding have been sent.” And He was preaching in
44
region. the synagogues of Galilee.
DAY 29:What did the law warn about bringing false witness against another person?
In Deuteronomy 19:15,the law required that “by the mouth of two or three witnesses the mat-
ter shall be established.” More than one witness was necessary to convict a man of a crime. This
principle was to act as a safeguard against the false witness who might bring an untruthful charge
against a fellow Israelite. By requiring more than one witness, greater accuracy and objectivity was
gained (Deut. 17:6; Matt. 18:15–17; 2 Cor. 13:1).
However, it was possible that “a false witness [might rise] against any man to testify against
him of wrongdoing”(v. 16). In some cases, there would only be one witness who brought a charge
against someone.When such a case was taken to the central tribunal of priests and judges for trial,
and upon investigation the testimony of the witness was found to be false,the accuser received the
punishment appropriate for the alleged crime (v. 19). Others looking on would be taught to “hear
and fear, and hereafter they shall not again commit such evil among you” (v. 20).When the fate of
the false witness became known in Israel, it would serve as a deterrent against giving false testi-
mony in Israel’s courts.
In Israel, the principle of legal justice (called lex talionis, “law of retaliation”) or “eye for eye” (v.
21) was given to encourage appropriate punishment of a criminal in cases where there might be a
tendency to be either too lenient or too strict (Ex. 21:23–25; Lev. 24:17–22). Jesus confronted the
Jews of His day for taking this law out of the courts and using it for purposes of personal vengeance
(Matt. 5:38–42).

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