Luke 8:23
What does Luke 8:23 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 8:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 8:23 means
Luke 8:23 describes a sudden crisis: while Jesus slept, a storm of wind struck the lake, and the boat filled with water so they were in danger. The image shows human vulnerability and the disciples’ fear in the face of natural forces. Jesus’ sleep contrasts with the turmoil, highlighting his trust in the Father and his sovereignty over events. The verse prepares the ensuing miracle by emphasizing the peril that will make Jesus’ intervention extraordinary and instructive about his authority and the disciples’ need for trusting faith.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But while they were sailing he went to sleep: and a storm of wind came down on the sea, and the boat became full of water and they were in danger.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and as they are sailing he fell deeply asleep, and there came down a storm of wind to the lake, and they were filling, and were in peril.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And when they were sailing, he slept. And there came down a storm of wind upon the lake: and they were filled and were in danger.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And as they sailed, he fell asleep; and a sudden squall of wind came down on the lake, and they were filled [with water], and were in danger;
Context
Placed just after they set out, this verse creates dramatic tension and moves the narrative from calm teaching to urgent peril. The disciples’ crisis follows closely on the heels of the instruction about faith and hearing, preparing an experiential lesson about trust in Jesus’ power to save.
v.22Now it came to pass on one of those days, that he entered into a boat, himself and his disciples; and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake: and they launched forth.
v.23This passage
v.24And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. And he awoke, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 44:23
Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? Arise, cast us not off for ever.
- Psalms 124:2
If it had not been Jehovah who was on our side, When men rose up against us;
- Hebrews 4:15
For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
- Isaiah 54:11
O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will set thy stones in fair colors, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.
- Acts 27:14
But after no long time there beat down from it a tempestuous wind, which is called Euraquilo:
- Luke 8:22
Now it came to pass on one of those days, that he entered into a boat, himself and his disciples; and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake: and they launched forth.
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