Luke 8:23

But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled [with water], and were in jeopardy.

But {G1161} as they {G846} sailed {G4126} he fell asleep {G879}: and {G2532} there came down {G2597} a storm {G2978} of wind {G417} on {G1519} the lake {G3041}; and {G2532} they were filled {G4845} with water, and {G2532} were in jeopardy {G2793}.

So they set out; and as they were sailing, he fell asleep. A windstorm came down on the lake, so that the boat began to fill up with water, putting them in great danger.

As they sailed, He fell asleep, and a windstorm came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.

But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy.

Luke 8:23 KJV vividly describes a pivotal moment during Jesus' ministry, highlighting both His humanity and the sudden, perilous challenges faced by His disciples. As they sailed across the Sea of Galilee, Jesus, exhausted from His teachings, fell into a deep sleep, unaware of the impending danger.

Context

This verse occurs immediately after Jesus taught the parable of the sower and other parables (Luke 8:4-18) and spoke about His true family (Luke 8:19-21). Seeking a moment of rest, Jesus and His disciples embarked on a boat journey across the Sea of Galilee. This freshwater lake, situated below sea level and surrounded by hills, is notorious for sudden, violent squalls that descend rapidly, often without warning, making sailing treacherous. The storm described here was not a gentle breeze but a significant tempest that threatened to capsize their vessel.

Key Themes

  • Jesus' Humanity and Rest: The fact that Jesus "fell asleep" underscores His genuine humanity. He experienced fatigue and needed rest, just like any human being. This contrasts sharply with the divine power He is about to demonstrate.
  • Sudden Adversity: The "storm of wind" appearing suddenly illustrates how life's trials and difficulties can arise unexpectedly, even when following Christ. The disciples, many of whom were experienced fishermen, recognized the severe danger as their boat was "filled [with water], and were in jeopardy."
  • The Disciples' Peril: The phrase "were in jeopardy" (Greek: ekindynueuon) emphasizes the immediate and life-threatening nature of their situation. They were facing drowning, a stark reminder of human vulnerability in the face of nature's fury.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase for "storm of wind" is lailaps anemou (λαῖλαψ ἀνέμου), which specifically denotes a sudden, violent whirlwind or tempest, often associated with a squall. This isn't just strong wind but a destructive, swirling force. The term "jeopardy" comes from the Greek ekindynueuon (ἐκινδύνευον), meaning "to be in danger," "to be at risk," or "to be imperiled," highlighting the extreme peril the disciples faced.

Related Scriptures

This dramatic event is also recounted in the parallel Gospel accounts of Matthew 8:24-27 and Mark 4:37-41, each offering slightly different nuances but confirming the severity of the storm and Jesus' subsequent calm. The immediate next verse, Luke 8:24, describes the disciples' desperate plea and Jesus' miraculous calming of the storm, revealing His authority over creation.

Practical Application

Luke 8:23 serves as a powerful reminder that even in the presence of Christ, we will encounter "storms" in life—unexpected crises, fears, or overwhelming circumstances. This verse invites us to consider our own reactions when faced with such trials. Do we panic, or do we remember that Christ is with us, even if He seems "asleep" or inactive in our immediate perception? It sets the stage for the profound lesson of faith and trust that follows, encouraging believers to anchor their hope in God's sovereignty, knowing He has power over all things, even the fiercest tempests of life, as demonstrated by the calming of the storm.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 93:3

    The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves.

  • Psalms 93:4

    The LORD on high [is] mightier than the noise of many waters, [yea, than] the mighty waves of the sea.

  • Psalms 107:23

    ¶ They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;

  • Psalms 107:30

    Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.

  • Acts 27:14

    But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.

  • Acts 27:20

    And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on [us], all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.

  • Luke 8:22

    ¶ Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth.

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