NOTES for Mat 8:23-27
23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. |
24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. |
25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. |
26 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. |
27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him! |
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The disciples were ready to follow Christ wherever He went. They got into the boat after Him in order to accompany Him. But even while following Christ, the disciples for too long did not understand Him. It is noteworthy that, describing the disciples' reaction to Jesus calming the storm, the evangelist writes: "And the men marveled, saying..." For at the moment when the disciples do not understand the Teacher, they cannot be called disciples.
Christ's sleep in the middle of the stormy sea is striking not only because He preserves astonishing self-control amid the raging elements, while all the disciples are alarmed. Another meaning can also be seen in this image: it recalls God's rest after the completion of creation, when the world was already developing according to the course appointed for it. Even while at rest, the Lord remained the Creator and Lord of the moving universe. And here one can also discern His coming Resurrection, when, rising from the repose of the tomb, He will again bring the bewildered apostles to their senses.
Readings for 30 June 2026
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