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MATTHEW 8:24 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
Matt 8:23Matt 8:25
“And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.”
And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. The great storm that swamps the boat while Jesus sleeps is the scenario that tests whether the disciples' following is understanding or merely proximity. Jesus asleep in the storm is not divine indifference but divine peace — the same peace that Paul describes in Philippians 4:7 as surpassing understanding. The contrast between the disciples' terror and Jesus' sleep is the contrast between faith and anxiety, between the one who trusts the Father and those who have not yet learned to trust the one who trusts the Father.

Church Fathers on Matthew 8:24

Christ having performed many great and wonderful things on the land, passes to the sea, that there also He might shew forth His excellent power, presenting Himself before all men as the Lord of both earth and sea. 'And when he was entered into a boat, his disciples followed him,' not being weak but strong and established in the faith. Thus they followed Him not so much treading in His footsteps, as accompanying Him in holiness of spirit.

Pseudo-Origen · · Hom. in div. vii

He took His disciples with Him, and in a boat, that they might learn two lessons; first, not to be confounded in dangers, secondly, to think lowly of themselves in honour. That they should not think great things of themselves because He kept them while He sent the rest away, He suffers them to be tossed by the waves. Where miracles were to be shewn, He suffers the people to be present; where temptations and fears were to be stilled, there He takes with Him only the victors of…

Chrysostom · 4th century · Hom., xxviii

Of this miracle we have a type in Jonah, who while all are in danger is himself unconcerned, sleeps, and is awakened.

Jerome · 4th century
Read all 19 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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Matthew 8:24 — Community Reflections | HolyStudy