Synoptic Comparison: Calming of the Storm

Presented to

Dr. Jonathan W. Lo

Ambrose University

In Partial Fulfilment

of the Requirements for NT 502

by

Jamila Johnson

Student ID: 026915

Date Submitted: April 8, 2022

 SYNOPTIC COMPARISON: THE CALMING OF THE STORM (NLT)

Matt 8:18-27 Mark 4:35-41 Luke 8:22-25

Matt 8:18 When Jesus saw the crowd Mark 4:35 As evening came, Jesus said to Luke 8:22 One day Jesus said to his
around him, he instructed his disciples to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the
cross to the other side of the lake. the lake.” 36 So they took Jesus in the boat and lake.” So they got into a boat and started out.
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started out, leaving the crowds behind As they sailed across, Jesus settled down
Matt 8:23 Then Jesus got into the boat (although other boats followed). 37 But soon a for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down
and started across the lake with his disciples. fierce storm came up. High waves were on the lake. The boat was filling with water,
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Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with and they were in real danger.
with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus water.
was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke Luke 8:24 The disciples went and woke
him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re Mark 4:38 Jesus was sleeping at the back him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re
going to drown!” of the boat with his head on a cushion. The going to drown!”
disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher,
Matt 8:26 Jesus responded, “Why are you don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the
afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the
up and rebuked the wind and waves, and Mark 4:39 When Jesus woke up, he storm stopped and all was calm.
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suddenly there was a great calm. rebuked the wind and said to the waves, Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?”
“Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind
Matt 8:27 The disciples were amazed. stopped, and there was a great calm. 40 Then The disciples were terrified and
“Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each
winds and waves obey him!” still have no faith?” other. “When he gives a command, even the
Mark 4:41 The disciples were absolutely wind and waves obey him!”
terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each
other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”

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In this pericope of the Calming of Storm, although Mark is more extended than Matthew and Luke because he has a more detailed description of

the storm in his narrative, we find the Synoptic triple tradition where Matthew and Luke have common material with Mark. This pericope also

has some uniqueness in all three gospels.

Common Material

1. Jesus, along with his disciples, went to the other side of the lake in the boat.

2. All three gospels mention the fierce storm and waves.

3. Jesus was sleeping when the storm came up.

4. Disciples woke Jesus up, saying that they were going to drown.

5. Jesus rebuked the wind, and there was a great calm.

6. Three of them mention Jesus asking the disciples about their faith.

7. Disciples were amazed to see the calm in the lake and asked each other about who Jesus is that winds and waves obey him.

Unique to Mark

1. Only Mark emphasizes that it is becoming evening.

2. Mark mentions leaving the crown behind, although other boats followed them.

3. Only Mark gives the details that Jesus slept on the cushion at the back of the boat.

4. Mark says that the waves are high.

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 5. In Mark, the disciples called Jesus "Teacher," saying that doesn't he care.

6. Only Mark quotes Jesus telling the waves, "Silence, be still"!

7. In Mark, Jesus tells disciples that they still have no faith.

Unique to Matthew

1. Only Matthew in his gospel mentions that Jesus instructed His disciples to get into the boat after seeing the crowd around him.

2. In Matthew, the disciples called Jesus "Lord."

3. Only Matthew talks about Jesus telling his disciples had little faith.

Unique to Luke

1. Luke starts this pericope that one day Jesus said to his disciples.

2. Only Luke mentions that Jesus settled down for a nap as they were sailing across.

3. Luke describes that the disciples were in real danger.

4. In Luke, the disciples called Jesus "Master."

5. Only Luke says that the waves were raging.

6. In Luke, Jesus tells the disciples where is faith.

7. Only Luke mentions that the disciples said to each that when Jesus gives a command, winds and waves obey him.