22On one of those days he got into a boat, himself and his disciples, and he said to them: "Let us cross over to the other side of the lake." And they set out. [8:23] As they were sailing he fell asleep. A violent squall descended on the lake, and they were taking on water and were in danger. [8:24] Approaching, they woke him, saying: "Master, Master, we are perishing!" He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was calm. [8:25] He said to them: "Where is your faith?" Seized with fear and astonishment, they said to one another: "Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?"
LUK 8:22-25
Jesus Calms the Storm
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Mediterranean world, the Sea of Galilee was both a vital resource and a source of danger. Sudden storms, like the (violent squall) described here, were well-known hazards for fishermen and travelers. Boats were small and vulnerable, and drowning was a real and feared threat. The disciples, many of whom were fishermen, would have understood the peril intimately. Their cry, “Master , we are perishing!” reflects both desperation and a recognition of Jesus’ authority, even in a moment of crisis. The term , often used by disciples for their teacher, underscores their reliance on Him. When Jesus rebukes the wind and waves, His action mirrors divine authority over chaos, echoing Old Testament imagery where God commands the sea (e.g., Psalm 107:29). The (raging waves) symbolize chaos, and their sudden calm would have been seen as a sign of divine intervention. The disciples’ fear and marvel highlight their struggle to reconcile Jesus’ humanity with His evident authority over creation.
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How other translations render this
LUK 8:22
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- One day Jesus said to His disciples, “Let us cross to the other side of the lake.” So He got into a boat with them and set out.
- Koinōnos
- On one of those days he got into a boat, himself and his disciples, and he said to them: "Let us cross over to the other side of the lake." And they set out.
LUK 8:23
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- 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.
- Koinōnos
- As they were sailing he fell asleep. A violent squall descended on the lake, and they were taking on water and were in danger.
LUK 8:24
- KJV
- And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.
- BSB
- The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters, and they subsided, and all was calm.
- Koinōnos
- Approaching, they woke him, saying: "Master, Master, we are perishing!" He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was calm.
LUK 8:25
- KJV
- And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.
- BSB
- “Where is your faith?” He asked. Frightened and amazed, they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him!”
- Koinōnos
- He said to them: "Where is your faith?" Seized with fear and astonishment, they said to one another: "Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
LUK 8:23
- a storm:The word translated 'a storm' here refers to a sudden, violent squall or hurricane, often accompanied by a whirlwind, emphasizing its ferocity and unexpected nature.
LUK 8:24
- Master:The term used here for 'Master' implies someone in authority or a supervisor, but in this context, it also carries a sense of urgent appeal to one who can help.
- He rebuked:The word translated 'He rebuked' suggests a strong, authoritative command or censure, often used to silence or control, rather than just a mild reprimand.
- raging:The word translated 'raging' specifically refers to the surging, breaking waves or the collective rough waters, highlighting the chaotic and dangerous state of the sea.