Luke 8:23

23 It was smooth sailing, and he fell asleep. A terrific storm came up suddenly on the lake. Water poured in, and they were about to capsize.

Luke 8:23 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 8:23

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.

Luke 8:23 In-Context

21 He replied, "My mother and brothers are the ones who hear and do God's Word. Obedience is thicker than blood."
22 One day he and his disciples got in a boat. "Let's cross the lake," he said. And off they went.
23 It was smooth sailing, and he fell asleep. A terrific storm came up suddenly on the lake. Water poured in, and they were about to capsize.
24 They woke Jesus: "Master, Master, we're going to drown!" Getting to his feet, he told the wind, "Silence!" and the waves, "Quiet down!" They did it. The lake became smooth as glass.
25 Then he said to his disciples, "Why can't you trust me?" They were in absolute awe, staggered and stammering, "Who is this, anyway? He calls out to the winds and sea, and they do what he tells them!"
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.