Volume 2

222 Life of Jesus Christ
flowed from Capharnaum through the valley, and which
received in its course other rivulets and creeks. It formed
a great pool outside Capharnaum. Jesus did not go to
Bethsaida. He went to the west and then by the north
side of the valley to Peter's house, which stood on the
eastern side of that high ground upon whose opposite
side was Mary's dwelling.
Jesus entered with Peter. Mary and the other holy
women were already there. The other disciples did not go
in. They waited nearby in the garden, or went on ahead
to Mary's. As Peter entered the house with Jesus, he said:
"Master, we have had a fast day, but Thou hast fed us."
Peter's house was very neatly built with forecourt and
garden. It was very long, and on the roof, one could
pronlenade and enjoy a beautiful view toward the lake. I
saw neither Peter's step-daughter nor his wife's sons.
They may have been at school. His wife was with the
holy women. Peter had no children by her. His motherin-law
was a tall, thin woman, so weak and sickly that, in
going around the house, she had to lean against the walls
for support.
Jesus held a long conference with the women on the
subject of the house they had hired up on the borders of
the lake, where He intended often to be. He warned them
against extravagance and indiscretion, though they were
to guard likewise against anxiety and solicitude. As for
Himself, He said, He needed very little, it was chiefly for
the disciples and for the poor they should provide. Leaving
Peter's, He crossed with His disciples to His
Mother's. There He conversed for some time and then
went out alone to pray.
The stream of Capharnaum flowed along by Peter's
house. He could in his little boat, in the middle of which
was a seat, sail down to the lake with his fishing tackle.
When the holy women heard from Jesus that He was
going to Nazareth for the coming Sabbath, a distance of