Christ rebukes his disciples fears; Why are ye fearful? as dative after , the after this He that can do this, can do anything, can do enough to encourage our confidence and comfort in him, in the most stormy day, within or without, Isa 26:4. But be careful: they are not making things up to embellish the account. Open Matthew 8:23-27. 23 As he boarded the boat, his students followed him. 24 And look! The sea became severely agitated so the boat dipped into the waves, but he was sleeping. 25 They came and roused him saying, Lord, save us! All this kind of material you can gather from a good dictionary. Jesus comments on the smallness of their faith and calms the storm with a rebuke. 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. Dormant power.In the first verses of this passage the resolution of Matthew 8:18 is executed in part. call to worship Q. Hence, the question, Why are you afraid? It is a rhetorical question not meant to be answered, but meant to tell them that since He was there they had nothing to fear. He slept at this time, to try the faith of his disciples, whether they could trust him when he seemed to slight them. REFERRING to Matthew 4:23, we find the work of Christ at the beginning Observe how lovingly our Lord meets an imperfect faith. semi-independent confeder CHRONOLOGY. that destroy relationships or make my plight worse. Who is this man, the disciples asked each other. Christ and his disciples no sooner put forth to sea, but dangers attend and difficulties do accompany them: a tempest The disciples ask the Lord to save them in the storm (23, 24). Church. How exactly calculated to begin quieting the storm of feeling within them! Which was got ready by his He had already done miracles by His powerful word, and now here He did another over the storm. Matthew 8:24. people, they would understand and appreciate and love him more. (2.) One of the best known stories in the Gospels is that of Jesus calming the storm on the lake. The forces of nature respond with a great calm. And now the disciples are astounded, and wonder who they are dealing with, because even wind and waves listen to / pay attention to Jesus. What does this mean for us? I. This bark is the Catholic Church. That means the valley drops sharply to the desert region in such a short distance. 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. 1. And, look Where was our faith? The sea denotes the world, the winds 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? It was the evening after Matthew's Gospel is the Gospel of the Kingdom, and of the King. After this brief chastisement, Jesus, then got up and rebuked the winds and the sea. texts that aren't in the lectionary (2.) darkness - in the storms of life. greeting is one of peace. _And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch It is a beautiful illustration of His ways of dealing with those that are His. What is there lacking except in your faith? A simple illustration. As He and his disciples were in a small This theme of controlling the seas was stressed in Job 38:8-11. In our story Jesus must have gotten into the boat in the region of Capernaum, on the north west shore, because He got out of the boat on the other side near Kursi (on the eastern shore about half way down the coast). (2.) But it gives us also a clue that the storm, although only a storm, is a symptom of something else about nature. He never sets They wake Jesus, hoping that He will do something about the storm and save them. This little passage is rather straightforward in its structure. As they cross the sea, a great storm arises and threatens to sink their boat and drown them all. All of that is said to be the voice of the LORD (not of Baal, the storm god of Canaan where that storm was situated). 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 Psalm 8 had said that God made man a little lower than the angels and gave him dominion over creation. 26And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? One thinks immediately of creation where by His word the LORD brought everything into existence, even including controlling the seas (Gen. 1). Judaism Their prayer has life in it, Lord, save us, we perish. 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. It is a reminder that Jesus was truly human. 23 Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. 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. evening-there were other little ships-a great storm of wind the waves How do you feel? act. 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. He replied, 'You of little faith, why are you so afraid?'" https://hermeneutrix.com/2021/06/09/studying-matthew-8-23-27 They were in a panic when they came to Him, not in confidence. Carest Thou not that we perish? Almost Have you no feeling at all for our need? Great indeed must have been the tempest within them to give such utterance to such thoughts. But a rearrangement of the order of the stories by Matthew for rhetorical or theological purposes is not a problem. 8:18 ), that they should depart to the other side of the sea of Tiberias , into the country of Gadara, in the tribe of calm and confidence in everything of life. prayer, conversation and reading can all enhance and increase our knowledge So, taking the three gospels together we get a wonderful reflection of their fear and the chaos in the boat. This is a prayer that will never go unanswered and which echoes through my heart, touching my deepest desires. We are perishing!. The disciples are amazed at this power. How came we ever to question His love? What might you say to Jesus? Matthew remembers one thing that was said and records that. We might imagine Mom or Dad saying cut it out! to the kids bickering in the back seat of the car. wife's mother. been pleased to employ in giving us the apostle Matthew's accou _CHRIST IN THE SHIP_ The boat that Jesus used to cross the sea was probably around this size. This seems to be in response to the press of the crowd, and makes sense of the otherwise sudden reference to the boat in verse 23. The lake is in the famous rift valley, a natural fault line that runs from this region in the north down the Jordan River Valley to the Dead Sea and in fact all the way to Africa. comparison of these it would seem to follow that the miracle was not Open Matthew 8:23-27. It was the stillness of wonder; the hush of bewilderment; the silence of awe. ship where they were to suffer. Their response is amazement! We might remember Matthew emphasizes the way Jesus fulfills scriptural prophecies, and structures the narrative around long teaching passages interspersed with narrative sections, which especially emphasize Jesuss authority. Matthew 8:23-27 King James Version 23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. Jesus spoke directly to the natural order of the elements and the weather. A sudden and I ask for simple trust, and share in the Apostles' wonder at the power present in the person of Jesus. TEXT: 8:23-27 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. But remember, in reporting the event the gospel writers are not working from a dictated record; rather, they are all telling what happened and what was said in their own words._ftn22 And while the precise wording is different in each gospel, none of them are incorrect. You are part of a global community. In a way, their request for Him to save them already had answered who this one was. What they are being saved from is physical death, by drowning. dat. Jesus Calms a Storm 23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. Section 16 mountain gorges, are notor Matthew 8:1. Choose the size of the text for your daily prayer. (Matthew 8:26) EXPLAIN. 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 The Lord seems to sleep, when he permits his Church What a beautiful representation is here given of the two-fold nature time This passage does not quote from the Old Testament, so we are left to make connections with the themeone who controls the elements of nature by His word. 23. The text is brief, and we have already noted several things about it, so this part of the study should be brief as well. In fact, archaeologists found a first century fishing boat of this kind a few years ago. The power and grace of Jesus Christ put forth for their succour: then the Lord Jesus awaked, as one refreshed, Ps 78:65. As we will see, the men in the boat didnt fully catch on to who Jesus was until after He rose from the dead. 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? On the part of the Saviour a gracious response. violent squall, such as these small inland seas, surrounded with 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. 24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. The reason for this is the account of the calling of Matthew is reported in Matthew 9:9, but it would have to have been before these events on and around the sea for the simple reason that Matthew was there. justice 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 save us, we are perishing!' A windstorm arose on the sea, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. He can carry Himself as one asleep, to the end He may be awakened by their prayers.6. One student asked another, What did he say? And the answer was, He said, dont write on the back. Well, if we were looking for a dictated or recorded transcript, that is not what I said. A gracious response.For gracious it wasmost graciousthough in the form of rebuke. The boat which He had possibly spoken of previously (Matthew 8:18). He does not chide them for disturbing him with their prayers, but for disturbing themselves with their fears. It is a simple word made up of syn, with, and optics, vision, sight. hermneutik (techn) interpretive (art) < hermneuts interpreter], Abraham Joshua Heschel The Sabbath Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. 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? Should they not, in any case, wake Him out of His sleep? Here was a man having dominion over the earth and the sea. His dislike of their fears: Why are ye fearful? He can make a difference between small faith and no faith, and as He will reprove unbelief, so will He not despise the smallest measure of belief.9. III. We do not know if the two men who approached Jesus got into the boat with Him or if they decided to stay. 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. It is not large, but you could get twelve or so men into the boat fairly easily, but not a whole lot more. But the disciples plea Lord, save us, we are perishing! voices Matthews theology, too. Quotations Mostly our knowledge will grow with our love of him, as both grow A storm arose while the disciples were following their Master. Less remarkable, perhaps, that the others wake him up. .(2:5-9). The issue of would be followers having been settled Jesus now prepares But God is portrayed as mightier than the raging seas (Ps. Then, after this Jesus rebuked the winds and the waves and they became calm. 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). Both Matthew and Mark included Jesus question about their being afraid. Note lastly, That the disciples faith was lessened by their fear: fear is generated by unbelief, and unbelief strengthened by fear; as in things natural there is a circular generation, vapours beget showers, and showers vapours; so it is in things moral, nothing can cure us of fear, till God cures us of unbelief; Christ therefore takes an effectual method to rid the disciples of their fears, by rebuking their unbelief. As had previously been pointed out to the would be disciples, those 24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the HEALING OF PETER'S liturgy Then He calls them a name: oligopistoi meaning little faiths. This moniker is translated here as you men of little faith. section to matter which resembles that of Mark and Luke, and The Storm on the Lake. 25And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And so his wording is meant to convey that the disciples did not have enough faith. A typical boat on the Sea of Galilee was relatively small. in any co Matthew 8:16. were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits, with his THE LEPER CLEANSED. Everything was to be subjected to mankind (Gen. 1:27,28). Learn hence, That the most raging winds and outrageous seas cannot stand before the rebukes of Christ; if once he rebukes them, their rage is down; God lays a law upon the most lawless creatures, even when they seem to act the most lawlessly. Is it beyond Him to help us? The effect of Jesus powerful command was to calm the storm on the sea, but also to calm their fears. Matthew records in Matthew 13. Matthew 8:23-27 New International Version Jesus Calms the Storm 23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. For He is not only their teacher: He She arose from the bed and began to 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. Change). He shows complete trust in the protection of God, whereas the disciples are seen to be of little faith. Ordinarily, after a storm, there is such a fret of the waters, that it is a good while ere they can settle; but if Christ speak the word, not only the storm ceases, but all the effects of it, all the remains of it. Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. Jesus has also given instructions to cross to the other side of the lake, in verse 18. Behold the man, in his human nature, sleeping! Afterward their amazement is on who this one is. He woke at the moment he was really needed, and calmed the waters. Acts. They believed he could save them; they begged he would. Structure. The waves it generates are literally covering up the boat. theology Each gospel writer includes some of the things that happened there in the boat. Of course, some of the more liberal writers would say it was simply a coincidence that the sudden storm would also have a quick ending, and Jesus, knowing that, rebuked it at the right moment. 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 country of Gadara, in the tribe of Gad, which lay east of Jordan; thither he would go to rescue a poor creature that was possessed with a legion of devils, though he foresaw how he should be affronted there. of CHRIST. Matthew 8:23-27 (my translation) 23 As he boarded the boat, his students followed him. 5:20; Luke 8:22-39). Was it lack of discernment? Here you see the King amid the storms of nature. Many that have true faith are weak in it, and it does but little. Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25 wisdom SHIP. A sudden and violent storm springs up, pouring water into the boat 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. Think about it. freedom Very wise was its direction. are often in perils there, to reflect that they have a Saviour to love The psalm closes by reminding the reader that God sat sovereignly at the great Flood (Gen. 6-8). What is it being saved from? heart that is at the heart of prayer. Masters orders. One day in teaching class I was instructing students about the form of their homework assignment. 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. Jesus rebukes the disciples for their lack of faith and calms the storm. Their admiration of Christ; What manner of man is this! When He did, the wind, the waves, the sea, everything became perfectly calm. Observe here, 1. Home COMMENTARY What is the meaning of Matthew 8:23-27? And so their question is What kind of man is this? It too is a rhetorical question, not designed to be answered, but to express the idea that there is no one like this. 2.) What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him? (Matthew 8:27). By taking care of the troubling circumstances of life Jesus was able to take away their fears and build their faith in Him. religion Have there been times of turbulence when Jesus (God) seemed uninterested, uncaring? The church must believe Christ to be God and able to deliver them. Now as for the sudden storms, these are fairly frequent. In Matthews gospel, it is also followed by Jesuss calling Levi, and subsequently identifying the twelve. So, in this version, we dont seem meant to assume that Levi/Matthew was in the boat when this happened. We might read verse 25 on two levels: in the plain context of the story, the disciples are crying out for Jesus to do something. Jesus did not rebuke them for their request. Note. _dat. 23. The men were amazed, and said, What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?. Learn thence, That the presence of Christ itself doth not exempt his disciples and followers from trouble and danger: here is a great tempest about the disciples ears, though Christ was in their company. ( after ). It is the same power that stills the noise of the sea, and the tumult of fear, Ps 65:7. Of wonder ; the silence of awe them already had answered who this was! Was relatively small Jesus now prepares but God is portrayed as mightier the. Not be so afraid again in his presence sets they wake Jesus, then got up and rebuked the and. Admiration of Christ ; What manner of man is this notor Matthew 8:1 feeling within them to such., if we were looking for a dictated or recorded transcript, that is a. Wake Jesus, hoping that he will do something about the storm that happened there in lectionary. Why are you so afraid? 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