Matthew 8:24 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. Arose a great tempest in the sea - Probably excited by Satan, the prince of the power of the air, who, having got the author and all the preachers of the Gospel together in a small vessel, thought by drowning it, to defeat the purposes of God, and thus to prevent the salvation of a ruined world. What a noble opportunity must this have appeared to the enemy of the human race!