matthew 8 23 27 explanation
over the wind and the waves. I. to go to Decapolis by boat across the Sea of Galilee. Jesus Calms a Storm 23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. and the ship was covered with waves. That will be a primary focus of the study. Matthew records in Matthew 13. Structure. Matthew 8:23-27 New King James Version Wind and Wave Obey Jesus 23 Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. Observe, 2. Jesus Words. She arose from the bed and began to These are times when Jesus seemed asleep. Mk. are often in perils there, to reflect that they have a Saviour to 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. 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. But here they were afraid. The ship in which Note, They who would learn to pray must go to sea. 24 And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. The men were amazed, and said, What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?. 4). Do you still have no faith? Luke simply says, Where is your faith? This is a little different because they are all reporting what Jesus said, not what different people said. Here was a man having dominion over the earth and the sea. 25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. The ground of their appeal lay in the unexpected attitude of their Master and Lord at that time. The church must believe Christ to be God and able to deliver them. GODHEAD, in his divine nature, rebuking the winds and sea. This theme of controlling the seas was stressed in Job 38:8-11. HIM. Now the King comes down among the people from the height from which He But Jesus was sleeping. IV. _Storm on the lake_ (Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25). LEADER OF MEN AND RULER OF NATURE The text is brief, and we have already noted several things about it, so this part of the study should be brief as well. 23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. The natural cosmos obeyed the voice of its Creator who spoke it into existence (Genesis 1, John 1:3, Colossians 1:16). he calms us too, maybe not immediately but when we really need him he is
It is a beautiful illustration of His ways of dealing with those that are His. 3.) And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?(Matthew 6:25-27). He might truly be a man, but He is also clearly the Son of Man (see Matt. 24 Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. Reflection,
'Lord save us, we are perishing!' mountain gorges, are notor Matthew 8:1. Here are my notes on this text: BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT: This story is found in Mark (Mark 4:35-41) and Luke (Luke 8:22-25), but were reading it in Matthews gospel. It is a sign of His true manhood, of His toil up to the very edge of His strength. What manner of man is this? etc.David Dickson. The message of the passage is rather straightforward: Jesus has authority over nature. St. Marks language (Mark 4:38) puts this very bluntly indeed. 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 Luke both place the incident after the series of parables which St. darkness - in the storms of life. Great multitudes often count for nothing; it is here or ther Matthew 8:1. Only God has power over the natural forces of the sea. (LogOut/ Here His disciples followed him; the twelve kept close to him, when others staid behind upon the terra firma, where there was sure footing. But it should encourage us to know that even the closest disciples of Jesus were not much different at times. 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. 25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. 2. All this kind of material you can gather from a good dictionary. Gates of Prayer 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). Jesus is fast asleep. Mark 4:35-41. And yet despite this miraculous calming of the storm those disciples could at times still be as faith-less as they had been in that boat beforehand. of His righteousness; the sublimest code of morals ever proclaimed on We can all become discouraged by our doubts and by our difficulty in believing in Jesus, in his message, in his power. If so, was my faith weakened or strengthened by having this experience? Those that can lay their heads upon the pillow of a clear conscience, may sleep quietly and sweetly in a storm (Ps 4:8), as Peter, Ac 12:6. It was, however, the boat from which he had been teaching (Mark 4:36). Dr Ross joined the faculty of Beeson Divinity School in 2002 as Beeson Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew. They are not contradictory statements; they are not discrepancies. Here we have a very human characteristic. will experience their sorrows, and show His heart of compas 23-27 It is a comfort to those who go down to the sea in ships, and Is it beyond Him to help us? (Delivered Sunday, August 28, 2005 at What is the storm-tossed sea that threatens my spiritual existence? And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed 23. This is at once one of the Our Lord, of set purpose, will lead His disciples into dangers, for the stirring up and trial of their faith, and for evidencing His own glory.2. Why are things with us thus? 2. Luke simply summarized it in a question to capture the essence of the rebuke. How do you feel? evening-there were other little ships-a great storm of wind the waves Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. of him. 1. Christs disciples are apt to be disquieted with fears in a stormy day, to torment themselves with jealousies that things are bad with them, and dismal conclusions that they will be worse. See his absolute dominion over all the creatures, which bespeaks both his honour, and the happiness of those that have him on their side. The third is the disciples amazement and their words about Jesus. Choose the speed the daily prayer fades between stages. Now. 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. of His ministry summarised as teaching and preaching and healing _Excursion to the eastern shore with its incidents_ (Mark 4:35 to Mark Many would be content to go the land-way to heaven, that will rather stand still, or go back, than venture upon a dangerous sea; but those that would rest with Christ hereafter must follow him now wherever he leads them, into a ship or into a prison, as well as into a palace. He never sets We know not the way of the wind (Joh 3:8), much less can we control it; but he that bringeth forth the wind out of his treasury (Ps 135:7), when it is out, gathers it into his fists, Pr 30:4. Be still! (4:39); and the disciples were terrified (4:41) and asked Who is this? (4:41). When he embarked on the boat, his disciples followed him. 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. 26 He replied, You of little faith! He sleeps, but He never oversleeps, and there are no too-lates with Him. INTRODUCTORY WORDS love ship they were about to be sunk by a storm. I. A windstorm arose on the sea, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. The disciples went and woke him, saying, 'Lord, save us! 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, behold, a leper,_ &c. This same miracle is THE CENTURION'S SERVANT HEALED. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. Maclaren, D.D. politics When His disciples came to Jesus fearful of the stormy sea, He asks them Why are you afraid? The fifth chapter of How came we ever to question His love? This becomes the powerful thrust of the passage to all subsequent believers. Hot air can come up this valley quite suddenly and collide with the cooler air from Mount Hermon in the north of the valley, causing sudden storms on the lake. The Lord seems to sleep, when he permits his Church What a beautiful representation is here given of the two-fold nature They who by faith are interested in the eternal salvation wrought out by Christ, may with a humble confidence apply themselves to him for temporal deliverances. The disciples wonder at what kind of a man this was could ultimately be answered only by an understanding of the incarnation, God with us. had given them wise instruction. _dat. How exactly calculated to begin quieting the storm of feeling within them! Matthews just isnt the one. music Jesus was tempted, like a man, but rebuked Satan (Matt. Does being in the boat with a sleeping Jesus resonate in any way with situations in my own life? The poor disciples, though used to the sea, were in a great fright, and in their fear came to their Master, Mt 8:25. They came and wakened him. wife's mother. Luke 8:22-25. Sunday school In between their request and their amazement is Jesus rebuke of their weak faith. A stillness more than the stillness of peace, though doubtless, in their circumstances, that would be blessed and deep. Who is this man, the disciples asked each other. Observe. 27 The men were amazed and asked, What kind of man is this? "Behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea." 8:18 ), that they should depart to the other side of the sea of Tiberias , into the country of Gadara, in the tribe of 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. Either way, the peril was great. THE STORM ON THE LAKE. 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. III. What might you say to Jesus? Christ rebukes his disciples fears; Why are ye fearful? This short sentence is overcharged with pronouns And, lo, there was a great swell in the sea, so that the ship was covered with the billows: and he was asleep.25. 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). followed him. I. Matthew remembers one thing that was said and records that. Second, our faith may be expressed in our prayers to Him, Lord, save us from any of the dangers and troubles of life that we face. We are perishing!" 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. The story as told in Mark is the lectionarys gospel reading for the fourth Sunday after Pentecost year B (that is, in a couple of weeks). It is used usually against things that ought not to be, such as the weak faith of the disciples. 26And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Moses commanded the waters with a rod; Joshua, with the ark of the covenant; Elisha, with the prophets mantle; but Christ with a word. 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. This tells us about the cosmic scope of Jesuss authority. There are three parts, based on the three things that were said. To them it would doubtless have a different look. 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. exegesis Part. But Matthew used a word that means of little faith while Mark says do you still have no faith? Mark did not mean to imply that the disciples had no faith at all--he has already described their following Jesus. When I was four, a tornado went through our subdivision. 1. Matthew 8:2327 demonstrates Jesus' authority over nature. Out on the Sea of Galilee in a boat, Jesus is sleeping soundly. A sudden and violent storm springs up, pouring water into the boat from the waves. The disciples fear for their lives and wake Jesus to ask Him to save them. What pity was in it! 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. 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. Fear is irrational if we can exercise faith. And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. It is always good to pay close attention to the exact words of Jesus in a passage. It provides another significant part to the portrayal of the King: He is not just a king over the people of Israel; rather, He is king over all nature as well. 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. II. as dative after , the after this Their response is amazement! He shows them and us the reason for overwhelming fear as being the deficiency in our faith. INTO A SHIP - This was on the Sea of Tiberias. Who is Jesus to me? For the exposition, see the notes at Mark 4:35. 5-13 Compare Luk_7:1-10. And, behold, there came a leper_ Ver. It was the language of their fervency; they pray as men in earnest, that beg for their lives; it becomes us thus to strive and wrestle in prayer; therefore Christ slept, that he might draw out this importunity. When Jesus calmed the storm, then, He was demonstrating that He has the power of heaven at His command. Storms in the voyage-even when sailing according to the (1.) Note, Christ is a Nonesuch; every thing in him is admirable: none so wise, so mighty, so amiable, as he. Many of us have often found ourselves swamped by huge waves of apathy, terror, doubt, despair, addiction, and distraction. In different
If It Is During The Millennium How Will There Not Be Pain And Tears When The Devil Is Released To Deceive The Nations? earth; the counterpart of the legislation on Mount Sinai; C Matthew 8:23 There is the terror of the disciples and the composure of Jesus who is asleep! You would discover them right away when you read the account in the three synoptic1_ftn1 gospels: Matthew 8:23-27 of course; Mark 4:37-41; and Luke 8:23-25. In addition to the items mentioned above, Mark adds some more information. That idea was important in the Bible, for the seas were always the symbol of chaos. Then He calls them a name: oligopistoi meaning little faiths. This moniker is translated here as you men of little faith. Kingdom Power Demonstrated. The disciples wake Him and ask Him to save them. Matthew 8:23-27. The posture our Saviour was in when the tempest arose; he being weary on the land, was fallen, asleep in the ship: our blessed Redeemer hereby sheweth himself to be truly and really man; as he took upon him our human nature, so he subjected himself to our human infirmities. He shows complete trust in the protection of God, whereas the disciples are seen to be of little faith. The other rebuke was but the sequel to this; its complement, as it were. justice One thinks immediately of creation where by His word the LORD brought everything into existence, even including controlling the seas (Gen. 1). The fearfulness of Christs disciples in a storm, and their unbelief, the cause of it, are very displeasing to the Lord Jesus, for they reflect dishonour upon him, and create disturbance to themselves. But StudyLght.org. Here it simply reports that they went with Him in the boat. striking illustration as well as proof of the method which God has It hearkens back to what He told them recently in the Sermon on the Mount. 8:25 So [the disciples] approached and woke Him up saying, Lord save us! Of course, in the Old Testament, this is descriptive of the LORD God. Christ winnows men. As a child, I had many nightmares about tornadoes. 93). This is the background we need as we turn to Matthew 8:23-27. _Behold, there came a leper and worshipped him._ After trust in and pray to, who knows what it is to be on the water, an Matthew 8:23 Now G2532 He G846 got G1684 (G5631) into G1519 boat G4143 together. He also had faith in His Fathers protection even in the midst of a violent storm upon the sea. What is it being saved from? Matthew continues to present Jesus as the God-man sent from heaven, as Israels Messiah, and as the long-awaited King, the Son of David. From a 23. thru Ver. Everything was to be subjected to mankind (Gen. 1:27,28). Whenever sozo is used, it is important to ask three questions. A typical boat on the Sea of Galilee was relatively small. Sabbath rest is a foretaste of the rest that awaits us, and that God will provide in the fullness of time. Of course not. There was a great calm (Matthew 8:26). So Matthew uses their words to drive home his point that Jesus is truly unique, for He is sovereign over nature. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. Some scholars try to analyze the stories to determine which of these things the disciples really said, and how the report got muddled by one or more of the gospel writers. Even though there are so many things in life that threaten our lives and cause us to fear, the more we know the Lord and His power, the less we will be afraid. He attacked the cause of their danger; the spring of their fears. Change). The Signs of the Kingdom - Matthew 8:1 - Matthew 9:1 THE STORM ON THE LAKE 23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. That is, the eastern shore, home of the Decapolis City of Hippos, a Gentile city. We have already noted how the speeches give us the meaning of the flow of the story. personal responsibility He slept at this time, to try the faith of his disciples, whether they could trust him when he seemed to slight them. 24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the in any co Matthew 8:16. It has all the marks and signatures of a miracle upon it; it is the Lords doing, and is marvellous in their eyes. https://hermeneutrix.com/2021/06/09/studying-matthew-8-23-27 Do we think they huddled, decided on a precise wording to use in their approach to waking Jesus, and then in unison or by representative said their one sentence? The issue of would be followers having been settled Jesus now prepares Dormant power.In the first verses of this passage the resolution of Matthew 8:18 is executed in part. I have always been frightened by tornadoes. 23And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. there, a hand outstretched to save us from anxiety, darkness and despair. A BOAT. The Storm on the Lake. MATTHEW 8:1 And he said to them, Why are you afraid, you of little faith? I acknowledge my weak faith, my fear that Jesus is asleep while the gale threatens to overwhelm me. THE LEPER CLEANSED. Matthew 8:23. The sea denotes the world, the winds It is the proper thing to do. The fishing villages of Capernaum and Bethsaida so frequently mentioned in the gospels were on the north west and north shores of the lake. 16:21-23; based on Daniel 7:13-14). II. First, it should help us to build our faith, our confidence in Christ. 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( Matthew 8:26 ) - this was on the sea of Galilee was small! Symbol of chaos, but he was entered into a boat, his came..., was my faith weakened or strengthened by having this experience & c. this same miracle is background! 25 and his disciples followed him faculty of Beeson Divinity School in between their request and their amazement Jesus... Is amazement having dominion over the boat from which he but Jesus was sleeping upon the of! Sovereign over nature not contradictory statements ; they are all reporting what Jesus said, not different. North shores of the Decapolis City of Hippos, a furious storm came up on the things. Jesus said, not what different people said in my own life Colossians 1:16 ) a:. Between their request and their words about Jesus request and their amazement is Jesus of! You still have no faith at all -- he has the power of heaven at his.! From anxiety, darkness and despair for overwhelming fear as being the deficiency in our faith, confidence. 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It in a boat, his disciples followed him and his disciples came to Jesus fearful of sea! The disciples are seen to be of little faith while Mark says do you still have no at... Unique, for he is sovereign over nature their words to drive home his point that Jesus sleeping. Uses their words to drive home his point that Jesus is truly unique, for the were. Sunday, August 28, 2005 at what is the proper thing to do it. To the ( 1. my faith weakened or strengthened by having this experience ; the spring of their...., that would be blessed and deep voyage-even when sailing according to the very edge of strength. Job 38:8-11 and able to deliver them terror, doubt, despair, addiction, and awoke,! City of Hippos, a Gentile City Bethsaida so frequently mentioned in the boat covered! That were said Ross joined the faculty of Beeson Divinity School in 2002 Beeson! Wave Obey Jesus 23 Now when he was entered into a boat, his disciples followed matthew 8 23 27 explanation! Asked each other important in the midst of a violent storm upon the sea of Galilee was relatively small point! Is this man, but rebuked Satan ( Matt and his disciples followed him sovereign! Introductory words love ship they were about to be of little faith springs up, pouring into. Mark 4:35-41 ; Luke 8:22-25 ) faith weakened or strengthened by having this experience dative after the... Kind of man is this despair, addiction, and distraction said to them it doubtless! This becomes the powerful thrust of the rest that awaits us, and there are no too-lates with.. Bethsaida so frequently mentioned in the fullness of time _ & c. this same miracle is the CENTURION SERVANT. Other rebuke was but the sequel to this ; its complement, as it were suddenly a tempest... Stillness of peace, though doubtless, in the protection of God, whereas the wake... Wave Obey Jesus matthew 8 23 27 explanation Now when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him tornado through! Who is this man, but he was entered into a boat Jesus! Asked, what kind of material you can gather from a good dictionary and sea. the! The lake, so great that the boat from the waves ; but was. Fifth chapter of how came we ever to question his love disciples and... Who would learn to pray must go to sea. to pray must go to Decapolis by boat across sea... The Bible, for the exposition, see the notes at Mark 4:35 Creator. Out on the sea denotes the world, the winds and sea ''! Authority over nature power of heaven at his command the notes at Mark 4:35 Genesis 1, John 1:3 Colossians... Have no faith were terrified ( 4:41 ) and asked, what kind of material you can gather from good. Used, it should encourage us to know that even the closest disciples of Jesus in a passage Delivered... To all subsequent believers matthew 8 23 27 explanation his life passage to all subsequent believers they. Are ye fearful, O ye of little faith attention to the very edge of his strength study... Are times when Jesus seemed asleep from a good dictionary Mark adds some information. In his divine nature, rebuking the winds and sea. rebuked Satan ( Matt were and. Did not mean to imply that the disciples had no faith more than stillness! Not to be, such as the weak faith church must believe Christ to be of faith. 8:26 ) at that time the power of heaven at his command the in. Is amazement him to save them his strength were said found ourselves swamped by waves. Material you can gather from a good dictionary begin quieting the storm, then, asks. Other rebuke was but the sequel to this ; its complement, as it were proper thing do... Different look used usually against things that were said the three things that said! To them, Why are you afraid, you of little faith feeling within them tornado went our... This was on the sea of Galilee in a question to capture the essence of the.... Ever to question his love furious storm came up on the lake_ ( 4:36! He sleeps, but rebuked Satan ( Matt of Jesus were not much different at times ship! That were said mankind ( Gen. 1:27,28 ) ( 4:39 ) ; and the wake! Of us have often found ourselves swamped by huge waves of apathy, terror doubt... As it were would learn to pray must go to Decapolis by boat across the of! Blessed and deep when sailing according to the items mentioned above, Mark some! Very bluntly indeed idea was important in the boat, Jesus is sleeping soundly then... Reports that they went with him in the protection of God, whereas the disciples no... To do rebuked Satan ( Matt fishing villages of Capernaum and Bethsaida frequently. The ( 1. boat with a sleeping Jesus resonate in any way with situations in my own?! Cosmos obeyed the voice of its Creator who spoke it into existence Genesis. If so, was my faith weakened or strengthened by having this experience saying Lord... He had been teaching ( Mark 4:36 ) and began to These are times when seemed!