It could have carried up to 15 men. St Mark, as usual, adds some interesting details: it was It was in the evening (4:35); Jesus said, Let us pass over to the other side (4:35); there were other boats that went along side (4:36); Jesus was in the stern sleeping on a cushion (4:38); when Jesus rebuked the storm He said, Peace! As He lay asleep He showed the weakness of manhood; but He woke to manifest the power of indwelling Divinity. They came and wakened him. Mark 4:35-41. This is at once one of the Jesus did not rebuke them for their request. In these nature miracles, though, Jesus was demonstrating what God had intended for humans to be. abs._ (EGT) . It was, however, the boat from which he had been teaching (Mark 4:36). What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him? (Matthew 8:27). A sudden and violent storm springs up, pouring water into the boat Matthew 8:23-27 (my translation) 23 As he boarded the boat, his students followed him. wisdom having preached his sermon, and discovered his doctrine, says Jerome, Imagine yourself in the boat with Jesus. 4:38. together. striking illustration as well as proof of the method which God has 12). 1.) call to worship What assurance as well! So its remarkable that Jesus is sleeping. He might bring the Kingdom nearer to His people, and give them One would have expected, that having Christ with them, they should have had a very favourable gale, but it is quite otherwise; for Christ would show that they who are passing with him over the ocean of this world to the other side, must expect storms by the way. As they crossed, Matthew tells his readers that a great storm suddenly arose on the sea. Jesus comments on the smallness of their faith and calms the storm with a rebuke. Both Matthew and Mark included Jesus question about their being afraid. The clearest example is when Jesus took a couple of them to the top of the mountain and let the reality of his God-hood shine out with heavenly brilliance from behind his everyday presence and appearance (a transfiguration which may have been projected back into the narrative from his Easter appearances). On the part of the disciples there was an agitated appeal. 24 And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. These are times when Jesus seemed asleep. The boat which He had possibly spoken of previously (Matthew 8:18). Behold the greeting is one of peace. Throughout these episodes we see Jesuss power over sickness, His power over a storm, and His power over the spiritual realm. Jesus spoke directly to the natural order of the elements and the weather. prayer INTRODUCTORY WORDS The first part is the storm on the sea and the disciples words to Jesus. Help, Lord, we perish (see R.V.). The first verse refers to the close of the foregoing sermon: the people that heard him were astonished at his doctrine; and the effect was, that when he came down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him; though he was so strict a Lawgiver, and so faithful a Reprover, they diligently attended him, and were loth to disperse, and go from him. It is not large, but you could get twelve or so men into the boat fairly easily, but not a whole lot more. This fact seems to explain much that we read of in this case. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? .(2:5-9). He slept not so much with a desire to be refreshed, as with a design to be awaked. And that is certainly true here, for without the speeches we have a storm, the disciples panic, Jesus calming the storm, and the disciples amazement. Jesus was sleepin _aor. I. Christs sleep in the storm.His calm slumber is contrasted with the hurly-burly of the tempest and the fear of the crew. They follow Jesus into the boat (R. V.). 23. Matthews just isnt the one. It is easy to see how these men--some of them seasoned fishermen--would have been terrified in a storm in a boat like that. (1.) HEALING OF PETER'S While Jesus sleeps, a violent storm rages and the disciples are fearing for their lives. For He is not only their teacher: He The two narratives that follow are brought together in all three Jesus The ground of their appeal lay in the unexpected attitude of their Master and Lord at that time. Here was faith mixed with human frailty: they had faith in his power, that he could save them; but being asleep, they concluded he must awake before he could save them: whereas though his human nature was asleep, yet his divine nature neither slumbered nor slept. The glory of the deliverance which Christ doth give to His people in their greatest strait is marvellous and far above all that they can apprehend ere it come. STILLING OF THE TEMPEST. religion out his material haphazardly. Not the winds only but the waves are silent. At its deepest it is about 160 feet deep, depending on the fluctuation over the years. Observe how lovingly our Lord meets an imperfect faith. But God is portrayed as mightier than the raging seas (Ps. The story comes in a series of reports about Jesus authority in various areassickness, demons, death, and sin. From this instance we see, that great faith in the habit may appear little in act and exercise. It is a simple misbelief to be too much afraid to perish in Christs company and service. We have already prayed Mark's version of this story on 21st June. The story can also be looked at from the perspective of contrasts. This sermon offers guidance and solace to fellow storm travelers. And today? But Jesus demonstrates that he has access to that same power, which hints at his divinity. . This text Matthew 8:23-27 is not in the lectionary, but that doesnt mean this story is one of those things you wouldnt know about the Bible if all you knew were the lectionary. Whether He seem to sleep or to be awake, He is Lord of heaven and earth, Ruler and Commander of wind, sea, and land, whom all the creatures must obey.10. I. examples of its benefits. Matthew 8:23. justice And when he was entered into a ship. And sometimes they can summarize a saying by putting it into a question when it was an assertion, or by making it negative when it was positive--they are trying to capture what was said, but capture it in a way their individual audiences would best understand it. I. worshipped him,_ Matthew 8:23. Matthew Henrys Commentary Ver. 25 And they went and woke him, saying, Save us, Lord; we are perishing. 26 And he said to them, Why are you afraid, O you of little faith? Of the way in which He may be expected to bring them through their trials at last.Viz. So Matthew uses their words to drive home his point that Jesus is truly unique, for He is sovereign over nature. the science or art of interpretation, especially of the Scriptures. When next the waters seem about to close over me, can I remember to cry out to the Lord, in the certainty that my cry will be heard? 2 Even if the writers were relying on a separate and earlier source of Jesus sayings and works, as much of modern scholarship assumes, they still had the freedom to put it in their own words to suit their purpose, yet never making it say something Jesus did not say or mean. He woke at the moment he was really needed, and calmed the waters. Jesus power over all nature is referred to at the very beginning of the Book of Hebrews, for it begins by reminding us that Jesus is sustaining all things by His powerful (spoken) word (1:3). (1.) II. Structure. MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH. Matthew 8:23. They were amazed, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him? Then, after standing up, He reprimanded the winds and the lake, and they became incredibly calm. Which was got ready by his disciples, or hired by them for his use, according to the directions he had given, his disciples followed him. Matthew 8:23-27. When he was entered into the ship Being, as is said above, about to cross the lake; his disciples followed him Even as many as were desirous of learning of him, and could get a passage, either in that vessel or any others that were near. music (Matthew 8:1 .) When he embarked on the boat, his disciples followed him. St. Mark and St. (Matthew 8:26) EXPLAIN. Jesus has also given instructions to cross to the other side of the lake, in verse 18. Matthew records in Matthew 13. 24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. Observe here, 1. Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. 26 He replied, You of little faith! The issue of would be followers having been settled Jesus now prepares Psalm 8 had said that God made man a little lower than the angels and gave him dominion over creation. prayer, conversation and reading can all enhance and increase our knowledge Home COMMENTARY Lesson from Matthew 8:23-27? JESUS STILLS A TEMPEST But if we work through the passage now, section by section, we may observe certain things that help us gain the message. Sometimes the powerful word of the Lord is described in very vivid pictures, such as in Revelation as the sharp, two-edged sword that comes out of His mouth and will strike the nations (19:15). An agitated appeal.The occasion of this was a great tempesta sort of convulsion (a ) in that sea. The authority that Jesus has is usually demonstrated by His mighty works, His miracles. [So I could not help thinking of a tsunami.] And, behold, there came a leper and Jesus Christ was asleep in this storm. All motion was gone. And the contrasts in this passage reflect the conflicts in the gospel itself, for Matthew likes to contrast Jesus with the limitations of ordinary people. One day in teaching class I was instructing students about the form of their homework assignment. The trip across the lake, or sea as it is referred to in our text, is followed by casting out demons in the region of the Gerasenes / Gadarenes, in each of the synoptic gospels. Talk to Jesus about the storms that are in your life today. Not the waves only but the lingering swell by which such waves were usually followed. As had previously been pointed out to the would be disciples, those Acts. violent squall, such as these small inland seas, surrounded with Whither else should they go? But you can also gain a great appreciation for things like distances, temperatures, altitudes, and such by actually taking a good trip to the land of Israel. alone makes the disciples (some of them skilled boatm II. And while some of those miracles seem to be less spectacular than others, they all reveal to us the nature of the Son of God who does not have the limitations we now have. church This is part of the overall presentation of the king in these chapters as one who has the authority to do all the things that He said He came to do. Bible study For additional references, see Pss. the parables which St. Matthew gives in chapter 13 I myself was ready to take a group out on the lake in a boat but we had to cancel because there were fifteen foot waves on the other side. politics eveningthere were other boats with Hima great storm Gospels; but St. Mark and St. Luke place them, as we have seen, after Even the winds and the waves obey Him!. It is a comfort to those who go down to the sea in ships, and are often in perils there, to reflect that they have a Saviour to trust in, and pray to, who knows what it is to be at sea, and to be in storms there. Christ could have prevented this storm, and have ordered them a pleasant passage, but that would not have been so much for his glory and the confirmation of their faith as their deliverance was: this storm was for their sakes, as Joh 11:4. Shall we ever do so again? Matthew showed Jesus authority by what he taught in Chapter s 5-7. CHARACTERS: Jesus, leper, centurion Matthew 8:2. _ Note, Christ will save none but those that are willing to take him for their Lord; for he is a Prince and a Saviour. The men were amazed, and said, What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?. meaning THE STORM ON THE LAKE. He might truly be a man, but He is also clearly the Son of Man (see Matt. And He casts all into the form of a question, thus softening rebuke, and calming their terrors by the appeal to their common sense. Save us is the language of faith; we perish is that of fear. multitudes followed him. What manner of man is this? etc.David Dickson. for the Savior and the Twelve apostles, the disciples who accompanied LOVE IN ACTION (Matthew 8:1-34) MESSIAH'S WORK AS COMPLEMENTARY TO HIS TEACHING. at a later point. A fishing boat from the first century A.D. that was discovered on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee in 1986 was 27 feet long and 7.5 feet wide. 16:21-23; based on Daniel 7:13-14). But add the speeches and we see that Jesus calmed the storm at their request for help, but before He did it He rebuked them for their weak faith. of him. Dormant power.In the first verses of this passage the resolution of Matthew 8:18 is executed in part. They would look back on this and always remember His Why are you afraid? because they would not be so afraid again in His presence. Christ stilling the tempest.. It had not been much about, if he had gone by land; but he chose to cross the lake, that he might have occasion to manifest himself the God of the sea as well as of the dry land, and to show that all power is his, both in heaven and in earth. v. 23. How came we ever to question His power? Note, Christ is a Nonesuch; every thing in him is admirable: none so wise, so mighty, so amiable, as he. CONTENTS: Jesus heals a leper, the centurion's servant and Peter's They had been with Jesus for over a year now (judging from the chronology); they should have had more confidence after hearing all His teachings and seeing all the miracles He did (little faith is also used in 6:30; 14:31; 16:8; 17:20; and Luke 12:28). Kingdom Power Demonstrated. What a wondrous application of His power (6) And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. (Matthew 8:23-27 KJV). It was the evening after Matthew's Gospel is the Gospel of the Kingdom, and of the King. It was. Surely they could have seen a sudden calm too if that had been the case. Of all the gospel writers Matthew is the most orderly. Our prayer for deliverance from our troubles will be less and less out of fear and desperation and more out of confidence. It is interesting to note that here Jesus answered their prayer/plea and calmed the storm even though they had little faith. Any turning to Him in prayer is an act of faith. _And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window). Part. "L A SHIP. Mk. Jesus has shown himself to be the Messiah of His righteousness; the sublimest code of morals ever proclaimed on to go to Decapolis by boat across the Sea of Galilee. On the way He quiets a terrible storm. Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. 2. Great storms of doubt, and fear in the soul, under the power of the spirit of bondage, sometimes end in a wonderful calm, created and spoken by the Spirit of adoption. And when he was entered into a boat, his disciples followed him. 's narrative 24 Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. 2. MATTHEW 8:23-34 LESSON: ASTONISHING AUTHORITY February 10, 2019 HISTORY/ INTODUCTION: 8:14-17 THE HEALING OF PETERS MOTHER-IN-LAW Jesus came to Peters house and saw that his wifes mother (Peters mother-in-law) was lying down sick with fever. The church may be like to be drowned, and Christ may seem to neglect the matter.5. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being covered with the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep. This is one reason why He chose to designate Himself as the Son of Man, a Messianic title from Daniel 7:13-14 to be sure, but also a way of describing Himself as the authentic man, invested with power, humble, obedient, and finally exalted. Their plea is, We perish; which was, [1.] Yet Ryries Notes Say Otherwise. verb is superfluous. The year was dry, and as the water of the lake was down they were able to see parts of a boat buried in the mud along the shore south of Capernaum--in the mud for 2,000 years! Lord of wind and sea, the one in whom all was created is the one who creates Christ rebukes his disciples fears; Why are ye fearful? He also had faith in His Fathers protection even in the midst of a violent storm upon the sea. What might you say to Jesus? beat into the ship He _a ship_ Rather, THE ship or fishing-boat, i. e. the boat which Jesus Was it want of concern? So with all three accounts we have a full picture of what took place. (Parallels: Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25) I ask God for the grace to face death peacefully, whether it be close at hand or far in the future. His G846 disciples G3101 followed And when he was entered into a boat, his disciples followed him.' Were going to drown!. when he had sat down, his disciples came unto him: And he open DISCIPLESHIP IN TRAINING While it may seem obvious in this instance that His disciples were not asking Jesus to save their spirit from Hell to Heaven, whenever we encounter sozo or a similar salvation passages, it is important to always use the context to answer these three questions to make sure we are interpreting it correctly. But observe, when he went to sea, he had no yacht or pleasure-boat to attend him, but made use of his disciples fishing-boats; so poorly was he accommodated in all respects. Christ had given sailing orders to his disciples (Mt 8:18), that they should depart to the other side of the sea of Tiberias, into the The Lord sits upon the floods, and is mightier than the noise of many waters. He slept at this time, to try the faith of his disciples, whether they could trust him when he seemed to slight them. Matthew 8:23-27 23-27 It is a comfort to those who go down to the sea in ships, and are often in perils there, to reflect that they have a Saviour to trust in and pray to, who knows what it is to That is, the eastern shore, home of the Decapolis City of Hippos, a Gentile city. Centurion's Servant. This becomes the powerful thrust of the passage to all subsequent believers. You are part of a global community. The natural cosmos obeyed the voice of its Creator who spoke it into existence (Genesis 1, John 1:3, Colossians 1:16). After His conversations with two reluctant followers, Jesus gets into the boat to go to the other side of the sea. Matthew remembers one thing that was said and records that. The language of their fear; they looked upon their case as desperate, and gave up all for lost; they had received a sentence of death within themselves, and this they plead, We perish, if thou dost not save us; look upon us therefore with pity.. Let these be hushed, there would be terror no more. We have a sudden storm in the middle of the lake; the little fishing boat is about to go down; and the group of disciples are thrown into a panic, yelling all kinds of things. He is saying essentially the same thing that Matthew said. But there are a couple of apparent difficulties that you would have to deal with in studying this passage. 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