Section 65
Crossing the lake and calming the storm
On the Sea of Galilee
| Matthew 8:18, 23-27 | Mark 4:35-41 | Luke 8:22-25 |
|---|---|---|
| 18When Jesus saw the large crowds around him, he gave orders to depart to the other side of the sea. | 35On that day, when evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us cross over to the other side of the sea.” | 22One day Jesus got into a boat with his disciples and said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.” So they set out, |
| 23Then he got into the boat, and his disciples followed him. 24And behold, a great storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves. But Jesus was asleep. | 36So they left the crowd and took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other little boats were also with him. 37Now a great windstorm arose, and the waves were beating against the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38aBut Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. | 23and as they were sailing along, he fell asleep. Then a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were in danger as the boat was being swamped by the waves. |
| 25So the disciples came to him and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” 26But he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. | 38bSo they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39Then he woke up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” So the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40Then he said to them, “Why are you so afraid? How is it that you have no faith?” | 24So they came to Jesus and woke him up, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then he rose and rebuked the wind and the raging water. They ceased, and all was calm. 25aThen he said to his disciples, “Where is your faith?” |
| 27And the men were amazed, saying, “What kind of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?” | 41And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” | 25bBut they were afraid and amazed, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?” |
Notes
Sea of Galilee
The Sea of Galilee is a beautiful blue freshwater lake. Because it is shaped like a harp, it is called Yam Kinneret (Numbers 34:11) in Hebrew, from the word kinnor, which means “harp.” It was also known as the Sea of Tiberias (John 21:1) after the large city, built by Herod Antipas, which is located on its shores. It was also called Lake of Gennesaret (Luke 5:1)
The Sea of Galilee is fed by the Jordan River, which brings water from the melting snows of Mount Hermon to the north. Additional water comes from the numerous springs around the lake, many of which are hot springs. The hot water from these springs allows even tropical fish to thrive. The very high rate of evaporation from the lake raises the humidity to an average of 65% in the area over and around the lake; such an environment also enables tropical plants and fruit to grow.
The lake is now 12.5 miles long and 7 miles wide, with a circumference of 32 miles. It may have been slightly longer in Jesus’ time, since the lake may have receded somewhat in the north near Bethsaida. The surface of the lake is about 700 feet below sea level.