Charles Ellicott Commentary Matthew 8:24

"And behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the boat was covered with the waves: but he was asleep." — Matthew 8:24 (ASV)

There arose a great tempest. Storms like the one described here are common on all inland seas. The wind sweeps through the narrow mountain valleys, and the sea, which only a few minutes before was smooth as glass, is suddenly rough with the white crests of foaming waves. The ship was on the point of sinking as the waves dashed over it in the trough between them. It was beginning to fill with water, and still, He slept.