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! (Matthew 8:24-27)
Thomas Scott
Verses 23-27: Christ having entered the ship or fisher-boat which the disciples had provides, set sail, being accompanied by some other small vessels: but instead of the fair voyage which probably they expected, they were overtaken with a terrible storm (a convulsion like and earthquake); so that the ship was speedily covered with the waves, and apparently ready to sink; yet amidst all this confusion and distress Jesus lay fast asleep. His human nature, like ours in every thing but sin, was wearied with incessant fatigue; and he willingly yielded to sleep, foreseeing the storm, that his power might thus be more noticed. But the disciples, trembling lest they should be swallowed up by the waves, and having no resource but in his power, came and awoke him; saying, “Lord, save us, we perish.” Considering all which they had seen of his power, this was comparatively weak faith; and their fears were evidences of much remaining unbelief. It was impossible that the vessel which carried him would sink; and in his divine nature he was as able to restrain the winds and waves when his human nature lay asleep, as to cure the paralytic by a word spoken at a distance. Having therefore first rebuked them as men “of little faith;” he next, with the authority of the Lord and Governor of the creation, rebuked the winds and waves (as a master would rebuke a company of unruly servants); and at his omnipotent word the winds suddenly ceased to blow, the tempestuous sea (contrary to it nature) immediately became smooth, and a great calm succeeded. This filled the disciples with the greatest astonishment; and they said to each other, “What manner of Person is this?” No doubt he is more than man; for with divine “authority he commands even the winds and waves, and they obey him!” Thus the tempest, which threatened their destruction, was overruled to the increase of their faith, and admiration of the majesty and power of their Lord.—‘It being so often made the property of God to still the raging sea, it is not to be wondered at that Christ’s disciples should conceive their must be a divine power in him who could perform such things.’—Whitby.