Luke 8:22Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Naturally, the sailors are consumed by the panic that engulfs them, but even more so, the wailing aboard the vessel frightens them to the point that the helmsman, trembling with terror, loses the ability to steer, and all aboard despair of surviving.

A similar scenario unfolded for the Lord's disciples; I invite you to recall the Gospel. ‘There came in... Jesus and His disciples into the ship’ (Luke 8:22). They embarked on their journey, and while the Lord was awake among them, no contrary wind could hinder them; the sea lay before them like dry land, and not even the slightest disturbance affected the Christ-bearing vessel. However, when, as directed by Providence, Jesus, in His human nature—not in His divine glory—fell asleep, the winds, sensing that their Lord and Master was resting, surged against the apostolic vessel like wild horses breaking free from a drowsy charioteer's reins. Amid the turmoil that threatened their lives, while the sea boiled and the waves violently battered the shore, the disciples, alarmed by the fierce storm, turned to their glorious Advocate in despair. What did they cry out? ‘Lord, save us: we perish’ (Matt. 8:25; Luke 8:24). The Lord, asleep in the ship by divine Providence—not unknowing of the danger nor powerless to avert the storm—surrendered to sleep for two reasons: first, to reveal the disciples' lack of faith during the crisis, and second, to demonstrate His divine authority.

Such is the pathway of our existence: conditions do not remain constant; sometimes tranquility reigns, with an abundance of sustenance, while at other times, our lives are disrupted like the tumultuous sea, beset by barbarian raids, the machinations of tyrants, and various other upheavals. The event with the apostolic ship carries this very meaning, as all that occurred to the Lord holds profound significance. The sea symbolizes our earthly existence; the ship represents each individual person, with thought and reason serving as the sailors and helmsman. Therefore, if this vessel, the human soul, is besieged in life by the malice of the devil or malevolent spirits, inciting turbulent desires, inundating the mind with the brackish foam of worldly pleasures, and shaking the passions that govern it, it risks being drawn into the depths of sin.

Indeed, it is affirmed by the prophet David that any man consumed by the flames of various pleasures ultimately descends into the chasm of sin. It was in his despair regarding chastity that he uttered, ‘I entered into the depth of the sea, and the storm drowned me’ (Ps. 68:3). In David's narrative, we find no instance that corresponds to these words; he did not literally sail nor was he ever submerged in perilous waters. What, then, do his words signify if not that, navigating the seas of life, overwhelmed by the waves of desire and estranged from the guidance of reason, he succumbed to the forceful urge of passion, leading to his moral shipwreck with Uriah's wife? Thus, he lamented, ‘I entered into the depth of the sea, and the storm drowned me’ (Psalm 68:3). Yet, having repented and metaphorically resurfaced from the depths of sin, reclaiming the sustenance of purity and insisting on a chaste life henceforth, he petitioned God: ‘Let not the rushing of the waters carry me away, let not the deep swallow me up’ (‘Let not the tempest of waters drown me, let not the deep devour me’) (Psalm 68:16).

A similar sentiment is expressed by the apostle, mysteriously embodying humanity in his own experiences: ‘thrice have I been shipwrecked.’ What does he mean by ‘thrice was I shipwrecked, night and day I was in the depth of the sea’ (2 Cor. 11:25)? Humanity has indeed faced shipwreck three times: first in paradise with the fall into sin, second through Noah's flood, and third when, post-delivery of the law, the people succumbed to idolatry. Ultimately, Christ, the Sustainer of our souls, arrived, establishing the Cross in the heart of the earth, and provided us a serene journey toward heavenly salvation. ‘He abode in the depth of the sea day and night.’ The apostle refers to the state of humanity preceding the Saviour’s arrival, lost in the darkness of falsehood, and by day, to life after the Saviour’s coming through baptismal enlightenment. The present existence likened to the sea serves to illustrate how Jesus went up with His disciples into the ship and fell asleep.

Therefore, let us come together to worship Christ, the Redeemer of all; let us behold the magnificence of His strength and the greatness of His divine sovereignty. For He traversed the waters with the holy apostles across the sea, or rather, the Lake of Tiberias.

This marked the first recorded journey of the Lord to Gentile territory as noted by the Evangelists. The reception of the people in the areas where He had previously traveled was such that the Son of Man had nowhere to rest His head, lacking even the basic shelter that God grants to animals and birds. Long after arriving back with His apostles from their journey, and while they had yet to eat, the Lord engaged the Pharisees in conversation, which was soon followed by teachings through parables, leading into their actual journey. Just before the Savior and His disciples set off to that destination, a scribe from the Jewish community approached and asked Jesus for permission to join them. It is possible that the message of the kingdom of heaven, even in its simplest form, inspired his desire; however, he had not yet fully released his attachment to worldly pursuits, seeking instead a Messiah in Jesus who conformed to the expectations of many Jews at that time. Consequently, the Lord declined to accept him as one of His followers, pointing out his current state. They set sail—it was nighttime; their group was accompanied by other boats (Mark 4:36).

Soon, however, this much-needed rest was abruptly disrupted by a fierce jolt. A fearsome storm, common in this deep basin of the earth, erupted upon the lake. The Sea of Galilee, nestled in its depression and flanked by hills, often presents a serene, glassy surface, reflecting the surrounding landscape and the unobstructed sky. Yet, this stillness can be misleading, as swift whirlwinds can unexpectedly surge from the gorges and ravines to the north and east, rousing the lake into tumultuous waves that rise threateningly and boil chaotically. The winds from the eastern desert sweep across the vast, exposed plains of Havlonitida and Gauran, rushing with remarkable force through the narrow passes along the lake's eastern shore, stirring the waters into a tempest. The lake itself sits six hundred feet below the Mediterranean Sea, causing the air above its surface to be abnormally thin due to the sun's intense heat. When the thinning reaches a critical point, the cooler air from the hills surrounding the lake rushes to fill the void, swiftly transforming into a ferocious whirlwind that leads to a storm. Such a tempest overtook them now. In a moment, the winds roared, and the lake became violently agitated. The peril was immense, and the boat was tossed about by the surging waves. Although Christ lay on the open deck at the stern and was splashed by the crashing spray, He remained undisturbed in His sleep. His exhaustion was so profound that not even the raging storm could awaken Him, and no one dared to rouse Him from His rest.

Both the disciples and the other witnesses likely shared in the expression of astonishment, with Matthew focusing more on the latter group and the other Evangelists emphasizing the former. For further insights, see the notes on Mt. 8:23-27 and Mk. 4:35-41.

John Chrysostom notes that He “gave Himself up to sleep, allowing them time to experience fear and to deepen their understanding of the situation.” In their fright and bewilderment, the disciples awakened Him, crying out, “O Master, do you not care that we are perishing? O Master, Master, we are perishing! Lord, save us, we are doomed!” Upon waking, He quickly pointed out that their fear stemmed from a lack of faith, reminding them that they need not fear with Him aboard: “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” He then rebuked the wind and the waves, commanding, “Peace! Be still!” Instantly, the storm calmed, the waves quieted, and a profound hush enveloped the scene. “Where is your faith?” He inquired again. “Why are you so afraid?” But now they were filled with great awe, whispering amongst themselves in amazement, “Who is this that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” They were astonished, recognizing that while He appeared to be a man, His deeds were of divine nature, asking, “Who is this?” Meanwhile, the other boats that had accompanied them were either tossed about by the storm or turned back to shore.