Chapter

Luke 8:23

ESV and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger.
NIV As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.
NASB But as they were sailing along He fell asleep; and a fierce gale of wind descended on the lake, and they began to be swamped and to be in danger.
CSB and as they were sailing he fell asleep. Then a fierce windstorm came down on the lake; they were being swamped and were in danger.
NLT As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger.
KJV But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.
NKJV But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy.

What does Luke 8:23 mean?

Not long before this time, Mary and Jesus' brothers had searched Jesus out, worried by what they'd heard (Mark 3:21). His ministry is so successful that the crowds often won't even let Him eat (Mark 3:20). The relentless demands of the crowds, His desire to teach all who will listen, and the lack of rest and food would have made Jesus exhausted.

The Sea of Galilee is uniquely situated in a way that invites sudden and violent storms. It sits well below sea level and is surrounded by hills. These are especially steep to the east. The warm air above the lake can be quickly disturbed by colder air sweeping down from the hills, causing unpredictable storms. In the incident described here, waves are breaking over the sides of the boat, filling it with water. The professional fishermen are afraid the boat is going to fill with water and sink. It's night, and if they capsize the survivors will quickly be separated in the tall waves and fierce winds.
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