Matthew Henry Commentary Matthew 8:23-27

"And when he was entered into a boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the boat was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Save, Lord; we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. And the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?" — Matthew 8:23-27 (ASV)

It is a comfort to those who go down to the sea in ships, and are often in perils there, to reflect that they have a Savior to trust in and pray to, who knows what it is to be on the water, and to be in storms there. Those who are passing with Christ over the ocean of this world must expect storms. His human nature, like ours in everything but sin, was wearied, and he slept at this time to test the faith of his disciples.

They, in their fear, came to their Master. So it is in a soul: when lusts and temptations are swelling and raging, and God is, as itmersive, asleep to it, this brings it to the brink of despair. Then it cries for a word from his mouth: "Lord Jesus, do not be silent to me, or I am undone." Many who have true faith are weak in it.

Christ's disciples are prone to be troubled by fears on a stormy day, tormenting themselves with thoughts that things are bad for them and will become worse. Great storms of doubt and fear in the soul, under the power of the spirit of bondage, sometimes end in a wonderful calm, created and spoken by the Spirit of adoption. They were astonished.

They never saw a storm turned so suddenly into a perfect calm. He who can do this can do anything, which encourages confidence and comfort in him, on the most stormy day, within or without (Isaiah 26:4).