Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 8:27

"And the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?" — Matthew 8:27 (ASV)

But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

We have often marvelled in the same way, but we know that it is not any "manner of man" alone, but that he, who was truly man, who was also "very God of very God," the God-man, the man Christ Jesus, the mediator between God and men.

It was good that they wondered. It would have been better if they had adored. If Christ had been only a man, the wonder about Him would have been beyond all amazement. He was divine, and therefore all nature yielded to His royal word. This is the end of the wonder of the intellect, but it is the beginning of the worship of the heart.

In this instance, our glorious King momentarily unveiled His glory and commanded obedience from the most turbulent of the elements. In our own lives, how often have we had to cry out, “What manner of man is this!” How magnificently He has brought us through terrible storms! How easily He has calmed the surges of our souls! Blessed be His name! Still, “the winds and the sea obey him.”

But the men marveled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?

They did not know their Lord yet; nor do we. Perhaps we have to go to sea to learn more of him, I mean that troubles and trials of a greater kind than we have known before may yet have to become our schoolmasters to teach us what Jesus is. They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters, these see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep. You landsmen are thankful for your quiet, but you do not see as much of Jesus as others of his disciples do; you must go to sea to be able to cry, What manner of man is this?

But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

Now see the King in conflict with the powers of darkness.