Jesus Stills The Storm (8:23-27).
The issue of would be followers having been settled Jesus now prepares to go to Decapolis by boat across the Sea of Galilee. Decapolis was a semi-independent confederation of ten Gentile towns which ran their own affairs, loosely watched over by the governor of Syria. But their territory contained many Jews. His disciples probably thought that He was intending to preach to these Jews, although anyone would be welcome to listen. It is very possible that Jesus did have in view the precise problems that He would have to face when He arrived in Decapolis, a combination of evil that was beyond the ordinary which would be found in two people who were demoniacs, one of whom at least was a demoniac of an extraordinary kind. This may well suggest that Matthew saw the storm (or cataclysm) that immediately preceded the visit as Satan's attempt to prevent Jesus arriving in Decapolis. For a parallel example of Satan being permitted to cause a destructive tempest see Job 1:12; Job 1:19. But what Jesus probably did not anticipate was the final reaction of the people to His success.
First, however, we are called on to consider His journey across the sea, which was to prove eventful because of the violent storm, and even possibly an earthquake. It may well be that Matthew saw in this incident a picture of the disciples following Jesus, the One Who had no place in which to lay His head, and as a result launching forth into the deep. He may have seen it as in direct contrast to the wavering disciples illustrated in the previous verses. Jesus' own disciples followed (Matthew 8:23) where the others had not. And through their choice they found life and not death, although for a while it would not seem like it. And through it they would learn that His Father would always protect them, and that they must therefore have confidence in Him under all circumstances
Analysis.
a And when He was entered into a boat, His disciples followed Him (Matthew 8:23).
b And behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, in so much that the boat was covered with the waves, but He was asleep (Matthew 8:24).
c And they came to Him, and awoke Him, saying, “Save, Lord, we perish” (Matthew 8:25).
b And he says to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm” (Matthew 8:26).
a And the men marvelled, saying, “What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?” (Matthew 8:27).
Note that in ‘a' the disciples follow Jesus into the boat at His command, unaware of what lies before them, and in the parallel they finish up marvelling, and questioning as to Who or what Jesus really is. In ‘b' the tempest arises and the boat is covered by huge waves, and in the parallel the winds and the waves are calmed. Centrally in ‘c' is the call to ‘the Lord' to save them from perishing.