Matthew 8:23

When. The narrative, begun in v. 18, and interrupted by the incidents recorded in vs. 19-22, is now resumed (see on v. 18).

Entered into a ship. According to the account in Mark, Christ was already in the little fishing boat, and simply remained there without going ashore to dismiss the people (ch. 4:1, 36). However, since Matthew has separated from its context the story of the storm on the lake (see on ch. 8:18), apparently he deems it necessary, in this connection also, to record Jesus’ entering into the boat (see ch. 13:2). It was probably almost dusk when the disciples shoved the boat away from the shore (see DA 334). This vessel was doubtless the “small ship” placed at Jesus’ disposal (see on Mark 3:9). There were several other fishing boats that left shore at the same time to cross the lake with Jesus (see Mark 4:36).