Jesus’ stilling of a storm 8:23-27 (cf. Mark 4:36-41; Luke 8:22-25)Even though Jesus sometimes enjoyed less shelter than the animals and birds (Matthew 8:20), He was not the subject of nature. It was subject to Him. read more
Jesus did not rebuke His disciples for disturbing Him but for failing to trust Him as they should have. He said they had "little faith" (Gr. oligopistos). Wherever Matthew used this word in His Gospel it always reflects a failure to see below the surface of things. [Note: Carson, "Matthew," p. 216.] Faith in Messiah and fear are mutually exclusive. Therefore the disciples should not have been "timid" (NASB) or "afraid" (NIV). Even though the disciples believed Jesus could help them, they did... read more
8:26 was (c-27) Ginomai . Lit. 'it then began' or 'took place.' read more
The Leper Cleansed. The Centurion’s Servant Healed. Healing of Peter’s Wife’s Mother and many others. Stilling of the Tempest. Healing of the Gadarene Demoniacs1-4. Cleansing of the leper (Mark 1:40; Luke 5:12). No natural explanation of this miracle is possible. Leprosy has always been, and is still, one of the most intractable diseases. Under the Mosiac Law lepers were regarded as unclean and excluded entirely from human society: see Leviticus 13, 14, and notes. Considered as a parable this... read more
(24) There arose a great tempest.—Storms such as that here described are of common occurrence in all inland seas. The wind sweeps through the narrow mountain valleys, and the sea, which a few minutes before was smooth as glass, is at once rough with the white crests of the foaming waves. The ship was on the point of sinking, as the waves dashed over it while it was in the trough between them. It was beginning to be filled with water, and still He slept. read more
(25) Lord, save us: we perish.—As given by St. Mark the words indicate even more of the impatience of panic: “Master, carest Thou not that we perish?” They began to think that He was indifferent to their safety, and believing, it may be, that He Himself had a charmed life, they were half angry at that indifference. read more
(26) Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?—St. Luke puts the question more strongly: “Where is your faith?” as though it had all drifted away under the pressure of their fears. Yet the word “of little faith” was singularly appropriate. They had not altogether lost their trust in Him, but they had not learnt the lesson of the centurion’s faith, and were only at ease when they heard His voice, and saw that He was watching over them.Rebuked the winds and the sea.—This seems to have been... read more
(27) The men marvelled.—This use of so vague a term as “men,” as applied to the disciples, is so exceptional as to suggest the thought that there were others in the boat with them. The marvel was not without a “great fear” (Mark 4:41). The Presence among them was mightier even than they had thought, and the elements, which seemed far more removed from human control than leprosy or fever, were yet subject to His sovereignty.The spiritual application of the miracle lies so near the surface that... read more
The Healing of the Leper Matthew 8:3 These words, spoken to a leper, were the very last words that anyone, save He Who spake them, would have dreamed of saying. Most men, if they had spoken at all, would have bidden him keep his distance; some few might have flung to him a word or two of passing pity; one here and there might have bestowed an alms on him; but not one would even for a moment have thought of saying, 'Be thou clean'. It was left for Jesus to say to the poor wretch at His feet,... read more
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 8:23-25
It is difficult to know how much Matthew may have intended with his comment that the disciples followed Jesus into the boat. Perhaps it just describes their physical movements. Perhaps he meant that it symbolizes the disciples’ proper response to Jesus in view of Matthew 8:18-22.The Sea of Galilee was and still is infamous for its sudden and violent storms (Gr. seismos). They occur because of geographical conditions. The water is 600 feet below sea level, and the land to the east is... read more