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Matthew 8

When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.

And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,

And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.

And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.

The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.

For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever.

And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.

When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:

That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side.

And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.

And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.

And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.

And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.

And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.

And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?

And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.

So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.

And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.

And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils.

And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.

What does Matthew 8:23 mean?

Explanation

The verse Matthew 8:23 from the King James Version of the Bible depicts a scene where Jesus boards a boat, and His disciples follow Him. On the surface level, it seems to be a simple narrative statement about Jesus' and His disciples' movement from one place to another.

However, the act of the disciples following Jesus onto the ship carries symbolic weight; it represents their commitment and willingness to follow their teacher, which often meant going into unknown and potentially perilous situations.

The following verses describe a storm that arises while they are at sea, showing the physical manifestation of the trials and uncertainties they would face in their journey of faith.

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Historical Context

Matthew 8:23 occurs in the context of Jesus' ministry in Galilee.

This passage follows a series of miracles that Jesus performed, demonstrating His authority and power.

The historical setting is in the first century in the Roman province of Palestine.

The Sea of Galilee is known for its sudden and violent storms.

The disciples, some of whom were fishermen, would have been familiar with the unpredictability of the lake.

However, their decision to follow Jesus even onto a boat signifies their trust in Him beyond their comfort zones and their professional expertise.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse serves as a prelude to the themes of faith and discipleship that are explored in the ensuing verses.

The boat can be seen as an allegory for the church or for the journey of faith; as the disciples entered the boat with Jesus, Christians enter a life of faith with Christ.

The act of following Jesus suggests surrendering to His leadership and recognizing His authority, something that is central to Christian discipleship.

The passage compels readers to reflect on the nature of true faith, especially in times of trials and uncertainties.

Practical Applications

In a practical sense, Matthew 8:23 challenges individuals to consider their own willingness to follow Jesus, regardless of the circumstances.

It suggests that real discipleship requires commitment and the readiness to face challenges that may arise. For believers today, the verse can serve as a reminder to stay faithful and trust in Jesus during times of personal trials or when the 'storms' of life feel overwhelming.

It is an encouragement to remain steadfast in one's faith journey, even when the path is not smooth.

Cross-References

Matthew 4:19-20: "And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

And they straightway left their nets, and followed him."

Matthew 14:22-33: The disciples in a boat during a storm and Peter walks towards Jesus on the water but begins to sink when he doubts.
Mark 4:35-41: A parallel account of Jesus calming the storm, demonstrating His power over nature.
Luke 8:22-25: Luke’s account of the event where Jesus calms the storm, again highlighting themes of faith and Jesus' authority.

Language Study

The key word in the original Greek text of this verse is "ἐμβάντι" (embanti), from the verb "ἐμβαίνω" (embaino), which means "to go into" or "to step into." It conveys physical entry, but symbolically it can also reflect entering into a new situation or experience. "Μαθηταί" (mathētai), translating to "disciples," indicates not just a learner or pupil but someone who follows the teachings and lifestyle of their master.

The use of the word implies commitment and adherence to Jesus' guidance.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparatively, in other ancient religions and myths, the journey by sea is often used as a metaphor for transition, trials, and divine encounters.

For example, in Greek mythology, Odysseus’s journey is marked by a series of sea voyages that test his endurance and wisdom.

In the Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh travels across the Waters of Death to find Utnapishtim.

These stories, like Matthew 8:23, highlight themes of trust in leadership (either divine or heroic), the journey, and overcoming obstacles.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the Sea of Galilee is known for its sudden and severe storms, which are caused by the unique geography of the region.

Cold air from the surrounding mountains can rapidly descend towards the lake, which is below sea level, dramatically changing the weather and causing tempestuous conditions.

This understanding can enhance appreciation for the historical accuracy of the biblical narrative.

Commentaries

Commentaries on Matthew 8:23 often emphasize the importance of the disciples' decision to follow Jesus, recognizing it as an act of faith and obedience.

Scholarly interpretations suggest that the ensuing story of Jesus calming the storm further serves to assert Jesus' divinity and power over creation.

Some commentators might also note the narrative's function as an assurance to the early Christian community that, just as Jesus was present with His disciples in the storm, He is present with believers through the tribulations of life, encouraging faithfulness and trust in His authority.

Matthew 8

Matthew 8

What does Matthew 8:23 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Matthew 8:23 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?