Devine Scripture

Matthew 8:23

What does Matthew 8:23 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 8:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 8:23 means

After these challenging conversations about discipleship, Jesus enters a boat, and His disciples follow Him. This simple statement marks a physical transition from the land to the sea, preparing for the dramatic event of the storm. The disciples' act of following Him into the boat, despite the earlier warnings about the cost, implies their continued commitment, even if their faith would soon be tested.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And when he was entered into a boat, his disciples followed him.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And when he was entered into a boat, his disciples followed him.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when he had got into a boat, his disciples went after him.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And when he entered into the boat his disciples did follow him,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And when he entered into the boat, his disciples followed him:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he went on board ship and his disciples followed him;

Context

This verse orchestrates a physical transition, as Jesus and His disciples move from their location on land to a boat. It immediately follows the profound teachings on the cost of discipleship, setting the stage for the dramatic display of Jesus' authority over nature, and directly leading into the account of the storm at sea.

v.22But Jesus saith unto him, Follow me; and leave the dead to bury their own dead.

v.23This passage

v.24And behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the boat was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 7:22

    And he answered and said unto them, Go and tell John the things which ye have seen and heard; the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good tidings preached to them.

  • Matthew 9:1

    And he entered into a boat, and crossed over, and came into his own city.

  • Mark 4:36

    And leaving the multitude, they take him with them, even as he was, in the boat. And other boats were with him.

  • 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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