Matthew 14:24

The midst of the sea. Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 146) the reading “many furlongs distant from the land.” The disciples had rowed between 25 and 30 furlongs (John 6:19), or about 3 mi., when Jesus overtook them. Ordinarily they could have covered this distance in an hour or so, but as it was they had taken approximately eight hours (see on Matt. 14:25). This is evidence of the strong head wind they encountered while crossing the lake. The direct distance to Capernaum was about 3 1/2 mi., but the wind drove them farther south than they had intended, with the result they came to land somewhere along the shore to the south of Capernaum, by the Plain of Gennesaret (see Matt. 14:34; see on Luke 5:1), a distance about twice as far as the direct course to Capernaum.

Tossed. Literally, “distressed,” or “tormented.” Mark says that they were “toiling in rowing.” In Mark 6:48 “toiling” is from the same Greek word here translated “tossed.” The strong head wind of the storm evidently made it impracticable to use the sail, and they probably thought it easier to use oars than to tack in the wind.

Wind was contrary. Had the disciples set out to cross the lake when Jesus directed them to go, they might have avoided the storm. But their perversity of heart led them to delay their departure until it was almost dark (see DA 379, 380). Now, some eight hours later (see on v. 25), they were straggling for their lives. Judas had been chiefly responsible for promoting the project to make Christ king by force, and no doubt felt most keenly Christ’s peremptory command to the disciples to embark to the other side before their Master (see v. 22; DA 718). Subsequently, Judas seems to have been primarily responsible for confusing the thinking of his fellow disciples and stirring the discontent that filled their hearts (see DA 719, 380). As the disciples, in obedience to Christ, set out to cross the lake, feelings of humiliation, disappointment, resentment, and impatience rankled in their hearts. Hesitation on the beach may be said to have given birth to unbelief. The wind was contrary, and so were their hearts; but in the providence of God the stormy sea became the means of quieting the tempest in their souls. It is often thus when we find ourselves adrift on a dark and stormy sea of troubles.