Luke 8:23
New International Version
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.

New Living Translation
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.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
As they sailed, He fell asleep, and a windstorm came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.

Berean Literal Bible
And of them sailing, He fell asleep. And a storm of wind came down on the lake, and they were being swamped, and were in danger.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
But as they were sailing along He fell asleep; and a fierce gale of wind descended on the lake, and they began to be swamped and to be in danger.

NASB 1995
But as they were sailing along He fell asleep; and a fierce gale of wind descended on the lake, and they began to be swamped and to be in danger.

NASB 1977
But as they were sailing along He fell asleep; and a fierce gale of wind descended upon the lake, and they began to be swamped and to be in danger.

Legacy Standard Bible
But as they were sailing along, He fell asleep, and a windstorm descended on the lake, and they began to be swamped and in danger.

Amplified Bible
But as they were sailing, He fell asleep. And a fierce gale of wind swept down [as if through a wind tunnel] on the lake, and they began to be swamped, and were in great danger.

Christian Standard Bible
and as they were sailing he fell asleep. Then a fierce windstorm came down on the lake; they were being swamped and were in danger.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and as they were sailing He fell asleep. Then a fierce windstorm came down on the lake; they were being swamped and were in danger.

American Standard Version
But 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.

Contemporary English Version
and while they were sailing across, he went to sleep. Suddenly a storm struck the lake, and the boat started sinking. They were in danger.

English Revised Version
But 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
As they were sailing along, Jesus fell asleep. A violent storm came across the lake. The boat was taking on water, and they were in danger.

Good News Translation
As they were sailing, Jesus fell asleep. Suddenly a strong wind blew down on the lake, and the boat began to fill with water, so that they were all in great danger.

International Standard Version
Now as they were sailing, Jesus fell asleep. A violent storm swept over the lake, and they were taking on water and were in great danger.

Majority Standard Bible
As they sailed, He fell asleep, and a windstorm came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.

NET Bible
and as they sailed he fell asleep. Now a violent windstorm came down on the lake, and the boat started filling up with water, and they were in danger.

New Heart English Bible
But as they sailed, he fell asleep. A wind storm came down on the lake, and they were taking on dangerous amounts of water.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

Weymouth New Testament
During the passage He fell asleep, and there came down a squall of wind on the Lake, so that the boat began to fill and they were in deadly peril.

World English Bible
But as they sailed, he fell asleep. A wind storm came down on the lake, and they were taking on dangerous amounts of water.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and 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.

Berean Literal Bible
And of them sailing, He fell asleep. And a storm of wind came down on the lake, and they were being swamped, and were in danger.

Young's Literal Translation
and 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.

Smith's Literal Translation
And they sailing, he fell asleep: and a hurricane of wind came down upon the lake; and they were filled, and were in peril.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And 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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And as they were sailing, he slept. And a windstorm descended over the lake. And they were taking on water and were in danger.

New American Bible
and while they were sailing he fell asleep. A squall blew over the lake, and they were taking in water and were in danger.

New Revised Standard Version
and while they were sailing he fell asleep. A windstorm swept down on the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and they were in danger.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And while they were rowing Jesus fell asleep; and there rose a storm of wind on the lake; and the boat was near sinking.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And as he journeyed, Yeshua himself was asleep and there was a tempest of wind on the lake and the ship was coming close to sinking.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And while they were sailing, he fell asleep. And a storm of wind came down upon the lake, and they began to be filled, and were in danger.

Godbey New Testament
And they sailing, He was asleep: and a storm of wind came down into the lake; and they were being filled, and imperiled.

Haweis New Testament
And while they were on the passage, he went to sleep: and a hurricane of wind rushed down on the lake; and they were filled with water, and imminent danger.

Mace New Testament
while they were rowing, Jesus fell asleep: when there blew such a storm of wind upon the lake, as fill'd the boat with water, and endanger'd their lives.

Weymouth New Testament
During the passage He fell asleep, and there came down a squall of wind on the Lake, so that the boat began to fill and they were in deadly peril.

Worrell New Testament
But, as they were sailing, He fell asleep. And there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were being filled full of water, and were in peril.

Worsley New Testament
And they launched forth: but as they were failing, He fell asleep: and a storm of wind came down upon the lake, and they were filled with water, and were in great danger.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus Calms the Storm
22One day Jesus said to His disciples, “Let us cross to the other side of the lake.” So He got into a boat with them and set out. 23 As they sailed, He fell asleep, and a windstorm came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. 24The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters, and they subsided, and all was calm.…

Cross References
Matthew 8:24
Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was engulfed by the waves. But Jesus was sleeping.

Mark 4:37
Soon a violent windstorm came up, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was being swamped.

Jonah 1:4
Then the LORD hurled a great wind upon the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship was in danger of breaking apart.

Psalm 107:23-30
Others went out to sea in ships, conducting trade on the mighty waters. / They saw the works of the LORD, and His wonders in the deep. / For He spoke and raised a tempest that lifted the waves of the sea. ...

Matthew 14:24
but the boat was already far from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

Mark 6:48
He could see that the disciples were straining to row, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went out to them, walking on the sea. He intended to pass by them,

Acts 27:14-15
But it was not long before a cyclone called the Northeaster swept down across the island. / Unable to head into the wind, the ship was caught up. So we gave way and let ourselves be driven along.

Job 38:8-11
Who enclosed the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, / when I made the clouds its garment and thick darkness its blanket, / when I fixed its boundaries and set in place its bars and doors, ...

Isaiah 51:10
Was it not You who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made a road in the depths of the sea for the redeemed to cross over?

Nahum 1:4
He rebukes the sea and dries it up; He makes all the rivers run dry. Bashan and Carmel wither, and the flower of Lebanon wilts.

Psalm 65:7
You stilled the roaring of the seas, the pounding of their waves, and the tumult of the nations.

Psalm 89:9
You rule the raging sea; when its waves mount up, You still them.

Psalm 93:3-4
The floodwaters have risen, O LORD; the rivers have raised their voice; the seas lift up their pounding waves. / Above the roar of many waters—the mighty breakers of the sea—the LORD on high is majestic.

Psalm 46:1-3
For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. / Therefore we will not fear, though the earth is transformed and the mountains are toppled into the depths of the seas, / though their waters roar and foam and the mountains quake in the surge. Selah

Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

he fell.

Psalm 44:23
Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever.

Isaiah 51:9,10
Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon? …

Hebrews 4:15
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

came.

Psalm 93:3,4
The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves…

Psalm 107:23-30
They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; …

Psalm 124:2-4
If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us: …

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Luke 8
1. Women minister unto Jesus of their own means.
4. Jesus, after he had preached from place to place,
9. explains the parable of the sower,
16. and the candle;
19. declares who are his mother, and brothers;
22. rebukes the winds;
26. casts the legion of demons out of the man into the herd of pigs;
37. is rejected by the Gadarenes;
43. heals the woman of her bleeding;
49. and raises Jairus's daughter from death.














As they sailed
This phrase sets the scene for a journey, a common motif in the Gospels that often symbolizes the journey of faith. The Greek word for "sailed" (πλέω, pleō) indicates a purposeful movement across the water, suggesting a mission or divine appointment. In the historical context, sailing was a primary mode of transportation across the Sea of Galilee, a body of water known for its sudden storms. This journey can be seen as a metaphor for the Christian life, where believers are called to trust in God's guidance through the unpredictable waters of life.

He fell asleep
The humanity of Jesus is beautifully depicted here. The Greek word for "fell asleep" (καθεύδω, katheudō) implies a natural, peaceful rest. This moment highlights the dual nature of Christ—fully God and fully man. His ability to sleep amidst an impending storm demonstrates His trust in the Father's sovereignty. Historically, this detail underscores the physical exhaustion Jesus often faced due to His demanding ministry. Spiritually, it serves as a reminder that believers can find rest in God's presence, even amidst life's storms.

A squall came down on the lake
The suddenness of the storm is captured in the Greek word for "squall" (λαῖλαψ, lailaps), which refers to a violent windstorm. The Sea of Galilee, surrounded by hills, is prone to such sudden and fierce storms. This phrase illustrates the unpredictable nature of life's challenges. In a spiritual sense, it represents the trials and tribulations that can unexpectedly arise in a believer's life, testing their faith and reliance on God.

So that the boat was being swamped
The imagery of the boat being overwhelmed by water is vivid. The Greek word for "swamped" (συμπληρόω, symplēroō) conveys the idea of being filled to the brim, suggesting a dire situation. Historically, boats of that era were small and vulnerable to such conditions. This phrase symbolizes the overwhelming circumstances believers may face, where it seems like they are on the brink of being overcome by life's difficulties. It calls Christians to remember that even when situations seem dire, God is in control.

And they were in great danger
The phrase highlights the severity of the situation. The Greek word for "danger" (κίνδυνος, kindynos) indicates a perilous threat. This moment of crisis is a test of faith for the disciples, who are seasoned fishermen familiar with the sea's dangers. In a broader spiritual context, it reflects the reality that following Christ does not exempt believers from facing real and present dangers. However, it also serves as a reminder that Jesus is present with His followers in every trial, offering peace and deliverance.

(23) He fell asleep.--The verb so rendered differs from the "was asleep" of the other Gospels, and this is the only place of the New Testament in which it occurs. It is a somewhat more technical word, and is so far -characteristic of the physician-historian.

They were filled.--Better, they were filling, the tense describing the process, not the completion.

Verse 23. - 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. In the three Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, this and the three following incidents are closely united - the lake-storm; the devils sent into the herd of swine; the raising of the little daughter of Jairus; the healing of the woman afflicted with the issue of blood. Although this cycle of acts is always united by the three, yet they do not occupy the same position chronologically in the three Gospels. The explanation of this probably is that in the primitive apostolic teaching it was usual to relate these four incidents of the Master's work together. In St. Matthew, between the recital of the healing of the demoniac and the raising of the daughter of Jairus, are intercalated the healing of the paralytic, and the call of Matthew, and the feast which followed. These incidents, in a more extended primitive discourse, were no doubt joined to the other four recitals. Had they used a common document, the three would surely have placed them in the same connection with other events. They most likely were worked, with many other signs, somewhere in this period of public work, and were chosen by the first preachers of "the Name" as specially illustrative acts, showing the Lord's power over the elements, over the unseen spirits of evil, over death, over wearying chronic sickness. On the sudden storm, travellers remark how, without warning, winds from the snowy summits of the neighbouring Hermon rush down the mountain gorges into the warm tropical air of the lake-basin, and in a short space of time the calm Galilee sea is lashed into storm and foam. The graphic description of Mark is, as usual, the most vivid, and gives us, in a few master-touches, the aspect of the scene. The weary Master sleeping in the stern of the fishing-boat; the pillow beneath his head; the disciples, terrified by the sudden uproar of the waves surging round their frail bark, as the wild winds rushed down on the lake, hastily awaking their tired Master. The danger must have been very real to have alarmed these Gennesaret fishermen; the storm must have been something more than the usual lake-tempests. The very words the Lord used when he lifted up his head and saw the danger, St. Mark preserves for us. With his "Hush!" he silenced the wild roar of the winds and waters; with his "Be still!" he quieted the heaving waves. Some commentators, reasoning from the Master's personal address to the elements - the winds and the waters - suppose that, in the midst of the storm, was some evil presence, who, taking advantage of our Lord's helpless condition - asleep in that frail fisher's boat - raised up the wild storm, hoping, perhaps, to cut short his life. The idea of spirits thus blending with the elements is one by no means unknown to Scripture. "Who maketh his angels winds [rather than the usual, better-known translation, 'spirits'], his ministers a flaming fire" (Psalm 104:4; Hebrews 1:7;. Job 1:12).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
As they
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

sailed,
πλεόντων (pleontōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 4126: Another form for pleuo; which is used as an alternate in certain tenses; probably a form of pluno; to pass in a vessel.

He fell asleep,
ἀφύπνωσεν (aphypnōsen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 879: To fall asleep. From a compound of apo and hupnos; properly, to become awake, i.e. to drop in slumber.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

a squall
λαῖλαψ (lailaps)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2978: A sudden storm, squall, whirlwind, hurricane. Of uncertain derivation; a whirlwind.

came down
κατέβη (katebē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2597: To go down, come down, either from the sky or from higher land, descend. From kata and the base of basis; to descend.

on
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

lake,
λίμνην (limnēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3041: A lake. Probably from limen; a pond.

so that
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[the boat] was being swamped,
συνεπληροῦντο (syneplērounto)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4845: To fill completely; pass: To be completed. From sun and pleroo; to implenish completely, i.e. to swamp, or to accomplish.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

they were in great danger.
ἐκινδύνευον (ekindyneuon)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2793: To be in danger or peril. From kindunos; to undergo peril.


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NT Gospels: Luke 8:23 But as they sailed he fell asleep (Luke Lu Lk)
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