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In this lesson:
Jesus leaves Capernaum for Gergesenes. Jesus calms the wind and the sea (8:23-27), casts out demons (8:28-34), and heals a paralyzed man (9:1-8). Study Tip: Putting difficult passages in your own words helps you understand the verse and retain it longer. |
A late fifteenth-century Ukrainian
icon of Jesus on lime wood. From the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin in the village of Starychi, Lviv National Museum |
The Gospel According to St. Matthew
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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Matthew 8:23-9:8
Jesus calms the sea 23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. 24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. 25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. 26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. 27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him! 28 And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. 29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? 30 And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding. 31 So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. 32 And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters. 33 And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils. 34 And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts. Matthew 9:1-8 Jesus forgives and heals 1 And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. 2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. 3 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. 4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? 5 For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? 6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. 7 And he arose, and departed to his house. 8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men. |
Margin notes:
"He was entered into a ship." (8:23) - This was probably a fishing boat. In Jesus' time, there were hundreds of fishing boats on the Sea of Galilee. The New Testament is filled with stories of Jesus on a ship, and most Bible scholars believe it is always the same vessel made available to Jesus by a long-forgotten fisherman. When not being used by Christ, the boat's owner probably returned to fishing. "Tempest in the sea." (8:24) - Means "storm on the Sea (of Galilee)." "We perish." (8:25) - "We will die." "Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea." (8:26) - Compare this miracle to Psalm 65:6-7, 89:9 and 107:29. "The men marvelled." (8:27) - People were constantly astonished by Jesus (Matthew 7:28; 13:54; Mark 10:24; Luke 2:47; 4:32) and marveled at Him (Matthew 9:8; John 7:15). Why? Read John 7:46. "What manner of man is this." (8:27) - "What kind of man is this." "Country of Gergesenes." (8:28) - Located southeast of the Sea of Galilee. Also called the "country of Gadarenes" (Mark 5:1; Luke 8:26) because its capital was Gadara. Gadara was part of Decapolis and populated mainly by Gentiles. "Devils." (8:28) - Devils and demons are fallen angels allied with Satan. "What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God." (8:29) - Even demons know Jesus is the Son of God (Mark 1:24, 1:34; 3:11; 5:7; Luke 8:27-28). Isn't it strange that many people deny Christ, yet devils recognize Him? Devils also believe in God (James 2:19). The Bible tells us that their fate is eternal damnation (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6; Revelation 12:7-9). "Before the time." (8:29) - The devils are referring to the end of the world when Satan and his demons will be thrown in a lake of fire (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:14). Notice that demons know God's plan. "Herd of many swine." (8:30) - Jews considered pigs unclean and wouldn't own one. However, this area was also home to a large number of Gentiles, one of whom probably owned this parcel of pigs. "The devils besought him." (8:31) - "The devils begged Him." "Suffer us to go away into the herd of swine." (8:31) - "Allow us to enter into the herd of pigs." "Depart out of their coasts." (8:34) - "Leave their area." "Passed over." (9:1) - "Crossed over." "His own city." (9:1) - Refers to Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee. "Man sick of the palsy." (9:2) - The man was a paralytic. Because this man was disabled, he was not able to work or feed himself. He was reduced to begging in the street. Also, the society in which he lived believed he was being punished by God and looked down on him. "Thy sins be forgiven thee." (9:2) - By forgiving the man's sins, Jesus is claiming to be God. "Jesus knowing their thoughts." (9:4) - Jesus knows our thoughts - more proof of His divine nature. See also Luke 5:22 and 6:8. "For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?" (9:5) - Jesus is asking the scribes, "what is easier, to say your sins are forgiven, or make a paralyzed person walk." Anyone can say, "your sins are forgiven." How do we know that they are? But who besides Christ can heal the diseased? "The Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins." (9:6) - "Jesus has the authority on earth to forgive sins." The "Son of man" is the Messiah who's coming was prophesized by Daniel 500 years before the birth of Christ (Daniel 7:13-14). Jesus is telling the crowd that he is the Annointed One. The Pharisees knew Daniel's prophecy and exactly what Jesus meant. "Arise, take up thy bed." (9:6) - This was not the only time Jesus miraculously healed the lame (Mark 2:11; John 5:8). "They marvelled and glorified God." (9:8) - "They were awestruck and Glorified God." |
To read Mark's account of Jesus calming the storm, see Mark 4:36-41. To review Luke's account, read Luke 8:22-25. You can also find the story of the possessed pigs in Mark 5:1-20 and Luke 8:26-39.
New Living Translation
Matthew 8:23-9:8
Jesus Calms the Storm
23 Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples.
24 Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.
25 The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!"
26 Jesus responded, "Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!" Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.
27 The disciples were amazed. "Who is this man?" they asked. "Even the winds and waves obey him!"
Jesus Heals Two Demon-Possessed Men
28 When Jesus arrived on the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gadarenes, two men who were possessed by demons met him. They lived in a cemetery and were so violent that no one could go through that area.
29 They began screaming at him, "Why are you interfering with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torture us before God's appointed time?"
30 There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding in the distance.
31 So the demons begged, "If you cast us out, send us into that herd of pigs."
32 "All right, go!" Jesus commanded them. So the demons came out of the men and entered the pigs, and the whole herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water.
33 The herdsmen fled to the nearby town, telling everyone what happened to the demon-possessed men.
34 Then the entire town came out to meet Jesus, but they begged him to go away and leave them alone.
Matthew 9:1- 8
Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man
1 Jesus climbed into a boat and went back across the lake to his own town.
2 Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven."
3 But some of the teachers of religious law said to themselves, "That's blasphemy! Does he think he's God?"
4 Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, "Why do you have such evil thoughts in your hearts?
5 Is it easier to say 'Your sins are forgiven,' or 'Stand up and walk'?
6 So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins." Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, "Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!"
7 And the man jumped up and went home!
8 Fear swept through the crowd as they saw this happen. And they praised God for sending a man with such great authority.
The "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word-for-word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Jesus Calms the Storm
23 Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples.
24 Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.
25 The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!"
26 Jesus responded, "Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!" Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.
27 The disciples were amazed. "Who is this man?" they asked. "Even the winds and waves obey him!"
Jesus Heals Two Demon-Possessed Men
28 When Jesus arrived on the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gadarenes, two men who were possessed by demons met him. They lived in a cemetery and were so violent that no one could go through that area.
29 They began screaming at him, "Why are you interfering with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torture us before God's appointed time?"
30 There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding in the distance.
31 So the demons begged, "If you cast us out, send us into that herd of pigs."
32 "All right, go!" Jesus commanded them. So the demons came out of the men and entered the pigs, and the whole herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water.
33 The herdsmen fled to the nearby town, telling everyone what happened to the demon-possessed men.
34 Then the entire town came out to meet Jesus, but they begged him to go away and leave them alone.
Matthew 9:1- 8
Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man
1 Jesus climbed into a boat and went back across the lake to his own town.
2 Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven."
3 But some of the teachers of religious law said to themselves, "That's blasphemy! Does he think he's God?"
4 Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, "Why do you have such evil thoughts in your hearts?
5 Is it easier to say 'Your sins are forgiven,' or 'Stand up and walk'?
6 So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins." Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, "Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!"
7 And the man jumped up and went home!
8 Fear swept through the crowd as they saw this happen. And they praised God for sending a man with such great authority.
The "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word-for-word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm." (8:24-26)
"So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. And he said unto them,
Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters." (8:31-32)
"But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,)
Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. And he arose, and departed to his house." (9:6-7)
"And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm." (8:24-26)
"So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. And he said unto them,
Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters." (8:31-32)
"But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,)
Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. And he arose, and departed to his house." (9:6-7)
Today's Question:
1. Does having faith mean never being afraid? (8:26)
Let us know if you have questions. We'll do our best to answer them.
1. Does having faith mean never being afraid? (8:26)
Let us know if you have questions. We'll do our best to answer them.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. Jesus didn't say that believers will never know fear. Even Jesus' disciples and followers faced fear (Matthew 14:22-30; 8:24-26, 26:56, 28:8, Mark 4:37-41, 14:50, 16:5-6, Luke 8:24-25, 24:3-5, John 6:19-20, 20:19). But knowing that God is present in their lives keeps Christians from being controlled by fear. Christ teaches us that God is in control and greater than anything we will face in life.
Application thought for the day:
Each life has its storms.
How can the story of Jesus calming the sea be applied to the storms in your life?
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen, published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur, published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham, published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Atlas of the Bible" edited by Joseph L. Gardner, published by Readers Digest, Pleasantville, New York; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The New Testament" Recovery Version published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, California; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The New Scofield Reference Bible" published by Oxford University Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course, the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2026 evolke
© 2026 evolke