Matthew 8:23

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

Matthew 8:23 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 8:23

And when he was entered into a ship
Which was got ready by his disciples, or hired by them for his use, according to the directions he had given,

his disciples followed him
into the ship, and they only; for as for the men hereafter mentioned, they were the men that belonged to the ship, and had the management of it: the multitude were dismissed, and in order to be clear of them, Christ took this method; and being desirous also of trying the faith of his disciples, he ordered it so, that they should be alone with him.

Matthew 8:23 In-Context

21 And another of his disciples said to him, `Sir, permit me first to depart and to bury my father;'
22 and Jesus said to him, `Follow me, and suffer the dead to bury their own dead.'
23 And when he entered into the boat his disciples did follow him,
24 and lo, a great tempest arose in the sea, so that the boat was being covered by the waves, but he was sleeping,
25 and his disciples having come to him, awoke him, saying, `Sir, save us; we are perishing.'
Young's Literal Translation is in the public domain.