Luke 8 23

Luke 8:23 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.

Luke 8:23 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.

Luke 8:23 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.

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.

Luke 8:23 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.

Luke 8 verses

Luke 8 23 Meaning

Luke 8:23 details the start of a harrowing incident during Jesus's journey across the Sea of Galilee with His disciples. It describes Jesus, physically exhausted, falling into a deep sleep, while simultaneously, a sudden, violent storm descends upon the lake. This unexpected tempest causes the boat to rapidly fill with water, placing all occupants in grave and immediate danger of perishing. The verse highlights both Jesus's humanity and the extreme peril faced by the disciples.

Luke 8 23 Context

Luke 8:23 is part of a series of narratives showcasing Jesus's authority and mission, immediately following the parable of the sower (Lk 8:4-15), the parable of the lamp (Lk 8:16-18), and the declaration about His true family (Lk 8:19-21). These teachings establish a context of who Jesus is and what it means to follow Him. The disciples have committed to Him, but their understanding of His power and nature is still developing. Jesus deliberately sails across the lake to the Gerasene region (Lk 8:22), indicating His intentionality and purpose in entering Gentile territory, setting the stage for subsequent miracles involving a demon-possessed man and later, Jairus's daughter. The sudden storm challenges the disciples' immediate physical safety and tests their budding faith, setting up the dramatic demonstration of Jesus's power over creation. Historically and culturally, the Sea of Galilee, a deep lake surrounded by hills, was notoriously prone to sudden, violent squalls due to cold air descending rapidly from the surrounding heights. Fishing boats of the time were small and vulnerable to such tempests. This local phenomenon heightens the immediate danger the disciples faced.

Luke 8 23 Word analysis

• But as they sailed (καὶ πλεόντων αὐτῶν - kai pleontōn autōn):

  • "καὶ" (kai): "And" or "but." Here it functions to introduce a new scene or an event that happens concurrently with the preceding statement, often implying a natural continuation.
  • "πλεόντων" (pleontōn): The present participle of pleō, meaning "to sail" or "to travel by sea." The present tense suggests an ongoing action—they were in the process of sailing. This highlights their obedient response to Jesus's directive to cross the lake (Lk 8:22).
  • "αὐτῶν" (autōn): "Of them" or "they." Refers to Jesus and His disciples. The setting immediately conveys movement and shared experience.

• He fell asleep (ἀφύπνωσεν - aphypnōsen):

  • "ἀφύπνωσεν" (aphypnōsen): This is the aorist tense of aphypnoō, meaning "to fall into a deep sleep" or "to be thoroughly asleep." It emphasizes the suddenness and completeness of His slumber. It's not a mere doze but a profound sleep, indicative of deep physical exhaustion, perhaps from teaching multitudes and healing, highlighting His true humanity. This peaceful sleep in the face of imminent danger strikingly contrasts with the disciples' growing panic, subtly introducing a theme of divine trust and sovereignty.

• And a fierce gale of wind (καὶ κατέβη λαῖλαψ ἀνέμου - kai katebē lailaps anemou):

  • "κατέβη" (katebē): Aorist of katabainō, "to come down" or "descend." This term visually describes the storm not just arising, but rapidly sweeping down from the surrounding hills onto the lake. This paints a picture of its suddenness and intensity.
  • "λαῖλαψ" (lailaps): This Greek word denotes a "whirlwind," "hurricane," or a "violent squall/tempest." It describes an exceedingly strong and destructive storm, more than just strong winds. Its usage here emphasizes the extreme nature of the natural threat, highlighting that it was a truly formidable force of nature.
  • "ἀνέμου" (anemou): "Of wind." Combined with lailaps, it paints a clear picture of a tempest driven by violent winds. The immediate descent points to the Lake of Galilee's known meteorological characteristics where winds funnel through ravines, creating dangerous, localized storms.

• came down on the lake (εἰς τὴν λίμνην - eis tēn limnēn):

  • "εἰς" (eis): "Into" or "onto." Indicates the direction and impact of the gale.
  • "τὴν λίμνην" (tēn limnēn): "The lake." Refers specifically to the Sea of Galilee (also called the Sea of Tiberias or Gennesaret), which was significant for fishing and trade.

• and they were being swamped (καὶ συνεπληροῦντο - kai syneplyrounto):

  • "συνεπληροῦντο" (syneplyrounto): The imperfect passive indicative of sympleroō, meaning "to be filled up together" or "to be filled completely." The imperfect tense indicates an ongoing, continuous process: the boat was continually filling with water. The passive voice implies they were victims of the storm's power. This vividly conveys the rapidly escalating crisis within the boat.

• and were in danger (καὶ ἐκινδύνευον - kai ekindyneuon):

  • "ἐκινδύνευον" (ekindyneuon): The imperfect active indicative of kindyneuō, meaning "to be in danger," "to run a risk," or "to be in peril of perishing." Like syneplyrounto, the imperfect tense signifies that their peril was continuous and increasing. They were actively, presently in a life-threatening situation. This implies a very real risk of capsizing and drowning.

Luke 8 23 Bonus section

• The detail of Jesus's sleep, so profound that the disciples must rouse Him, points to the stark contrast between divine rest and human anxiety. This is not carelessness but a manifestation of peace that surpasses understanding.
• The "lake" or "sea" in biblical narratives often symbolizes chaos, danger, and the forces opposed to God. Jesus's mastery over the storm thus affirms His ultimate dominion over all chaos and evil.
• This passage functions as a direct polemic against the pagan notion that forces of nature were unpredictable, independent deities, or elements to be appeased. Instead, Jesus demonstrates that the Creator God has absolute control over His creation, even the most violent natural phenomena.
• The incident on the boat follows Jesus's teaching about hearing the word of God. The storm serves as a real-world test for the disciples on how they would apply their nascent understanding and faith when faced with an immediate threat.
• The journey across the lake also symbolically represents the call to missions, traversing from familiar territory (Jewish lands) to unfamiliar or hostile territories (Gentile lands, the Gerasenes). The storm could represent the spiritual opposition encountered in mission work.

Luke 8 23 Commentary

Luke 8:23 concisely captures a pivotal moment that contrasts divine tranquility with human desperation. Jesus's deep sleep underscores His true humanity, revealing His susceptibility to physical exhaustion, a common human experience. Yet, His peaceful slumber amidst such extreme conditions simultaneously highlights His complete trust in God the Father's providence and His inherent authority, setting Him apart. The abrupt onset of a violent "gale of wind" (λαῖλαψ ἀνέμου), vividly depicted as "coming down" on the lake, portrays a situation of intense and immediate peril, a true struggle against overwhelming natural forces. The continuous action described by "were being swamped" and "were in danger" powerfully conveys the mounting desperation and the very real threat of perishing. This verse establishes the urgent context for the disciples' cries for help and Jesus's subsequent demonstration of sovereign power over creation. It sets the stage for a crucial lesson in faith, challenging the disciples (and readers) to consider Jesus's identity and power even when circumstances seem utterly overwhelming and the Lord appears inactive or unaware. This incident is not merely about physical danger but serves as a spiritual metaphor for the trials and storms of life that believers encounter, inviting them to trust in the unwavering presence and authority of Christ, who truly is the Lord even over the wildest storms.