John Calvin Commentary Jonah 1:15

"So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea; and the sea ceased from its raging." — Jonah 1:15 (ASV)

Jonah shows here that the tempest arose through his fault, for the outcome proved this with certainty. The sailors had not only cast lots, but after Jonah was thrown into the sea, the storm calmed, and the sea became still. This sudden change sufficiently proved that Jonah was the only cause why they were almost shipwrecked.

For if the sea had not calmed immediately, but only after some interval, it might have been ascribed to chance. But as the sea instantly rested, it could not be said otherwise than that Jonah was condemned by the judgment of God.

He was indeed cast into the sea by the hands of men; but God so presided that nothing could be ascribed to them, except that they executed the judgment which the Lord had openly demanded and required from them.

This, then, is the meaning of this verse. He now adds—