Charles Ellicott Commentary Matthew 8:23

"And when he was entered into a boat, his disciples followed him." — Matthew 8:23 (ASV)

The two narratives that follow are brought together in all three Gospels; but St. Mark and St. Luke place them, as we have seen, after the parables which St. Matthew gives in chapter 13.

Entered into a ship — The better manuscripts give, as often elsewhere, the ship, or boat—that is, one which, belonging possibly to Peter or the sons of Zebedee, was always ready at their Master’s service. St. Mark adds that they took Him, even as He was, in the boat, the words apparently indicating extreme exhaustion from the fatigue of teaching. We learn that this was followed by immediate sleep, as He lay in the stern on the boat’s cushion, using it as a pillow.