There came down a storm of wind - and they - were in jeopardy - This is a parallel passage to that in Jonah 1:4. There was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken: the latter clause of which is thus translated by the Septuagint: και το πλοιον εκινδυνευε του συντριβηναι, And the ship was in the utmost danger of being dashed to pieces. This is exactly the state of the disciples here; and it is remarkable that the very same word, εκινδυνευον, which we translate, were in jeopardy, is used by the evangelist, which is found in the Greek version above quoted. The word jeopardy, an inexpressive French term, and utterly unfit for the place which it now occupies, is properly the exclamation of a disappointed gamester, Jeu perdu! The game is lost! or, j'ai perdu! I have lost! i.e. the game.

But as he sailed he fell asleep,.... On a pillow, in the hinder part of the ship, as in Mark 4:38

and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; see Gill on Matthew 8:24.

and they were filled; with water: not the disciples, but the ship in which they were; and so the Ethiopic version renders it, "their ship was filled with water". The Syriac and Persic versions render it, "the ship was almost sunk", or immersed:

and were in jeopardy; of their lives, in the utmost danger, just ready to go to the bottom. This clause is left out in the Syriac and Persic versions.

He fell asleep (ἀφύπνωσεν)

Very graphic. He fell off (ἀπό) into sleep.

Came down (κατέβη)

More vivid than either Matthew or Mark, who have there arose. The word describes the action of the sudden storms which literally come down from the heights surrounding the lake. See on Matthew 8:24.

Storm (λαιλαψ)

See Mark 4:37. Matthew has σεισμὸς, a shaking. See on Matthew 8:24.

They were filling with water (συνεπληροῦντο)

Used by Luke only. Mark, as usual, goes into minuter detail, and describes how the waves beat into the boat. Note the imperfects: they were filling; they were beginning to be in danger, contrasted with the instantaneous descent of the storm expressed by the aorist came down.

But as they sailed he fell {h} asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and {i} they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.

(h) Jesus fell asleep, and it appears that he was very fast asleep, because they called him twice before he awoke.

(i) Not the disciples, but the ship.

8:22-25 For notes on Stilling the Tempest, see Mt 8:23-27 Mr 4:35-41.

23. filled-literally, "were getting filled," that is, those who sailed; meaning that their ship was so.

8:22-40 Those that put to sea in a calm, even at Christ's word, must yet prepare for a storm, and for great peril in that storm. There is no relief for souls under a sense of guilt, and fear of wrath, but to go to Christ, and call him Master, and say, I am undone, if thou dost not help me. When our dangers are over, it becomes us to take to ourselves the shame of our own fears, and to give Christ the glory of our deliverance. We may learn much out of this history concerning the world of infernal, malignant spirits, which though not working now exactly in the same way as then, yet all must at all times carefully guard against. And these malignant spirits are very numerous. They have enmity to man and all his comforts. Those under Christ's government are sweetly led with the bands of love; those under the devil's government are furiously driven. Oh what a comfort it is to the believer, that all the powers of darkness are under the control of the Lord Jesus! It is a miracle of mercy, if those whom Satan possesses, are not brought to destruction and eternal ruin. Christ will not stay with those who slight him; perhaps he may no more return to them, while others are waiting for him, and glad to receive him.