And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep.
Parallel translations
- WEB Behold, a violent storm came up on the sea, so much that the boat was covered with the waves, but he was asleep.
- KJV And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
- BSB Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was engulfed by the waves; but Jesus was sleeping.
- NASB And behold, a violent storm developed on the sea, so that the boat was being covered by the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep.
- NLT Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
A violent storm threatens to swamp the boat while Jesus sleeps. His calm rest amid the tempest contrasts with the disciples' coming panic.
Overview
The sudden, fierce storm on the Sea of Galilee endangers experienced fishermen, while Jesus sleeps in peace, a sign both of his true humanity and his perfect trust in the Father. The covered boat heightens the sense of mortal peril. The scene tests whether the disciples will trust the Lord who is present with them, even when he seems unconcerned.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Luke 8:23But as they sailed, he fell asleep. A wind storm came down on the lake, and they were taking on dangerous amounts of water.
- Mark 4:37–38A big wind storm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so much that the boat was already filled.
- Ps 107:23–27Those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business in great waters;
- Jonah 1:4–5But Yahweh sent out a great wind on the sea, and there was a mighty storm on the sea, so that the ship was likely to break up.
- Acts 27:14–38But before long, a stormy wind beat down from shore, which is called Euroclydon.
- 2 Cor 11:25–26Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I suffered shipwreck. I have been a night and a day in the deep.
- John 6:17–18and they entered into the boat, and were going over the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not come to them.
- Isa 54:11“You afflicted, tossed with storms, and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in beautiful colors, and lay your foundations with sapphires.
- John 11:15I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe. Nevertheless, let’s go to him.”
- John 11:5–6Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 8:24 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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