Daily Writing

Monday, 24 March 2025

When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way. Matthew 8:28

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And He, having come into the beyond, into the country of the Gergesenes, two demon-possessings, they met Him, coming out from the tombs – exceedingly dangerous – so too, not anyone capacitate to pass through that way” (CG).

In the previous verse, the disciples marveled at the capability of Jesus to silence the storm, asking who He could be. Matthew next records, “And He, having come into the beyond.”

In other words, they had left Capernaum, sailed across the Sea of Galilee, and had then arrived on the other side, having gone “into the country of the Gergesenes.” Depending on what source text is used, or what book (Matthew, Mark, or Luke) is being evaluated, the area arrived at could be –

Gergesenes
Gadarenes
Gerasenes

Charles Ellicott notes the following: “Gadara was a city east of the Sea of Galilee, about sixteen miles from Tiberias. … Gerasa was a city in the Gilead district, twenty miles east of the Jordan, described sometimes as belonging to Cœle-Syria, sometimes to Arabia. … There was no city named Gergesa, but the name Gergesenes was probably connected with the older Girgashites, one of the Canaanite races that occupied the country before the invasion of Israel (Genesis 10:16; Genesis 15:21; Joshua 3:10; Joshua 24:11; et al.). Apparently, however, from the last passage referred to, they were on the western side of the Jordan. It is, on the whole, more likely that the reading was a mistake, than that the old tribe still remained with its old name; but it is possible that the name of Gerasa may represent an altered form of Girgashim.”

Both Matthew’s and Mark’s gospels say that the herd of pigs noted in the account rushed into the sea. Luke says they rushed into a lake (meaning the Sea of Galilee). Therefore, the location now must be on the shore of the sea, not some place 20 miles from the Jordan.

Despite this, Albert Barnes rightly states, “There is no contradiction, therefore, in the evangelists. He came into the region in which the two cities were situated, and one evangelist mentioned one, and the other another. It shows that the writers had not agreed to impose on the world; for if they had, they would have mentioned the same city; and it shows. also, they were familiar with the country. No men would have written in this manner but those who were acquainted with the facts. Impostors do not mention places or homes if they can avoid it.”

As for their arrival, Matthew next says, “two demon-possessings, they met Him.” Another seeming problem arises. Matthew says two but Mark and Luke only note a man in the singular. Again, there is no contradiction. This occurs elsewhere in the gospels where one person is noted here and two there.

If there are two, then there is one. Mark and Luke are giving specific focus to one of the men who they encountered. Of these two people possessed with demons, it next says they were “coming out from the tombs.”

Here is a new word, mnémeion. Specifically, it means a remembrance, as in a monument. As such, it then provides the thought of a tomb where one is laid and a remembrance is implied. These demon-possessed men were there, and they were “exceedingly dangerous.”

Another new word is found here, chalepos. It is found only one more time, in 2 Timothy 3:1, where it speaks of perilous or difficult times. It signifies that which is dangerous, but it can also be applied to the state of a person by saying he is fierce or furious. The context will decide the intent.

Of them, it next says, “so too, not anyone capacitate to pass through that way.” The men were so violent that people avoided the area lest they be harmed. In the gospel records of Mark and Luke, the one that they focus on explained that the demons in him were named Legion, signifying many demons possessed him.

His violence was so great that Luke records that “he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness” (Luke 8:29).

One can see that because of this, while Matthew focused on the fact that there were two of them, the other two narratives wanted to highlight this one man who was an especially terrible case.

Life application: With a little bit of mental effort, difficulties between the gospel narratives are seen to be not impossible contradictions. It is good to remember that these are eyewitness accounts. As such, people’s perspectives will naturally be different, and they will focus on different things.

Further, the fact is that when two accounts are exceedingly similar, those who want to dismiss the Bible will use that as an excuse, saying they were merely copied from one account to the next.

In other words, no matter what God has revealed in His word, there is always someone who is there to tear it apart and challenge it as if it is corrupt. The corruption can be found in their own mirror. They have failed to accept the written word of God for what it is.

Lord God, we pray for Your word to be held in the highest esteem among churches who proclaim You. When pastors, preachers, and teachers fail to uphold it for what it is, it can only damage the listeners who are waiting to be instructed by it. May we carefully and contemplatively consider it, and may we expect that from our spiritual leaders as well. Amen.

Sunday, 23 March 2025

So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” Matthew 8:27

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And the men, they wondered, saying, ‘What kind, He is – this – that even the winds and the sea, they obey Him?’” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus reprimanded the winds and the sea. In doing so, a great calm came about. Now, Matthew continues with, “And the men, they wondered.”

The word translated as wonder has already been seen in verse 8:10 when Jesus wondered at the great faith of the centurion. Now, the word is applied to the attitude of the disciples toward Jesus. The word signifies a sense of admiration, but it must have been much more than that in the case of the disciples.

They surely admired His power to control the elements through His word, but that is something otherwise unheard of. Because of this, Matthew next notes that they were “saying, ‘What kind, He is – this?’”

A new word is introduced here, potapos. It is a word coming from pote, when or what kind, and pou, where or in what place. Together, they give the sense of “what possible sort?” Today, we might say, “What on earth?” or “Who on earth?”

It is a question looking at the broadest scope and conveying the idea of “Out of everywhere and every place, I can’t think of anything comparable!” This was because, as they next say, “that even the winds and the sea, they obey Him?”

Searching the sum of their lives’ memories and all of the cumulative things they had been taught or heard over the years of their lives, they were at a complete loss of knowing another instance of such an event taking place.

The only time such things ever occurred in all of their knowledge base would be the hand of the Lord effecting such an event as recorded in their Scriptures, such as –

“So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. ¹⁶ Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice to the Lord and took vows.” Jonah 1:15, 16

The disciples would have known this story as well as the other miracles of the Lord, but this did not extend to the power of mere men. And so how could Jesus have effected such a wondrous miracle as He did?

Life application: It is again evident in the words of the apostles that they had no idea of the true nature of Jesus’ character. It is true that they would have considered Him the Messiah, but the Messiah was just a man who would be sent to deliver Israel!

How could He also be a man who could calm the raging seas? The disciples are being schooled on the nature of Jesus, and yet they continue to fail to understand who He truly is. This continues on today.

People read the word, and if they have been told that Jesus is not God, blinders remain firmly fixed over their eyes. It is as if the words their eyes alight on are soaked with water and have turned to blobs of ink, impossible to decipher.

It is proper to come to the Bible without presuppositions and to search out what it says by laying aside what we want the word to say or what we have been told it says. Until we have checked out what we have been told, let us be sure to let the Lord speak to us through His word.

By doing this, along with prayer for Him to reveal His word to us, we will be allowing Him to speak. This is how it is intended to be when we read His word.

Lord God, we pray for Your word to be revealed to us as You intend. Help us to put aside our presuppositions, biases, and desires concerning Your word and instead look for what You intend to convey through what You have spoken as is recorded there. May it be so, O God. Amen.

Saturday, 22 March 2025

But He said 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

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And He says to them, ‘Why you are timorous, little-faithed?’ Then having arisen, He reprimanded the winds and the sea. And it was great calm” (CG).

In the previous verse, the disciples woke up Jesus and implored Him to save them. Now, His response to them is given, “And He says to them, ‘Why you are timorous, little-faithed?’”

Notice how Jesus addresses the disciples first. They are terrified for their lives, thinking that their doom is at hand. However, Jesus addresses them before taking action. It was a way of alerting them to the fact He was more concerned about their learning than He was about what was going on around Him.

It was also a way of solidifying the moment in their minds because they would be more likely to remember what took place. His response is one that directly challenges their faith. They had seen Jesus’ miracles, several notable ones recorded just prior to stepping into the boat, and yet they didn’t understand the power of His capabilities.

In His statement is a new word, deilos. It is an adjective that, according to HELPS Word Studies, means dreadful, as in “a person who loses their ‘moral gumption (fortitude)’ that is needed to follow the Lord.”

One of the disciples had asked to bury his dead father. However, no other such note of hesitancy is recorded. They willingly followed Him. But when times got tough, they cried out, completely lacking the faith necessary to accept the situation.

Their only hope left was that Jesus could do something. Well, they were at least right about that because it next says, “Then having arisen, He admonished the winds and the sea.”

Here is another new word, epitimaó, generally translated as rebuke. Its meaning extends beyond that, though. It comes from epi, upon, and timaó, to prize or fix a value upon. By implication, it then means to honor or revere. At times, it is used to describe the thought of strictly warning someone.

Therefore, the word admonished is sufficient to signify the intent in any such situation. In this case, the winds and the sea were raging around them. Jesus admonished them openly, “And it was great calm.”

By the spoken word, just as in the case of the healing of the centurion’s son, the winds subsided, and the sea quit from raging. Where they lacked the necessary faith in Jesus’ ability – an ability they had just seen demonstrated – He was fully capable of accomplishing what was necessary for the situation at hand.

Life application: How often believers seem incapable of accepting the power and capability of the Lord. One thing is certain for each of us: we all will die. And yet, Christians often cling to this life as if it is the most important thing we possess. However, we have been told that what we have now is inconsequential in comparison to what lies ahead.

Instead of moaning about what our sicknesses may lead to, we should accept them as a part of the human condition and admit that whatever it is that is afflicting us may, happily, lead us to our next state, releasing us from the bonds of this corruptible existence.

This is not to say that we need to rejoice in the pains that accompany them. Being miserable, wracked with pain, incapacitated, and so forth is never enjoyable. But while in such a state, we should be all the more willing to anticipate freedom from it.

Let us not get so caught up in clinging to this life that we, in turn, lack faith in the promise of that which lies ahead. Being fearful for this life is shown to be a demonstration of just that, lacking faith. Remember this. There is a difference between not liking the current situation and being fearful of what it will lead to.

A good way to think of this is to remember that in good times or in bad, the Lord has your back. Trust this at all times.

Lord God, help us to be faithful people, accepting that You have us completely under Your care despite the trials and afflictions we may face. In the end, and no matter what situation we find ourselves in, we are Yours because of Jesus. Help us to have this thought deeply imbued in us at all times. Amen.

Friday, 21 March 2025

Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” Matthew 8:25

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And His disciples having come to Him, they aroused Him saying, ‘Lord, You save us! We perish!’” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus was sleeping in the boat as it crossed the sea despite the storm that raged around them. Matthew next records, “And His disciples having come to Him, they aroused Him.”

It is evident that the men, whether after a few minutes or an extended struggle, realized they had no other option but to wake the Lord. As noted in the previous commentary, a storm like this can arise quickly and in a very short amount of time the waters can go from a tranquil calm to a terrifying tempest.

Quite a bit is often read into these words. People think it is as if the disciples understood they could come to Jesus and suddenly be delivered from their peril. In just two verses, that will be proven an incorrect analysis. They were certainly not thinking, “If we wake up Jesus, He will get up and calm the sea.”

Rather, they were concerned about the right now of the situation. The waves were swamping the boat, and they needed another hand to help bail it out, row, or whatever they, as experienced shipmen, directed.

But more, they may also have thought, like the mariners with Jonah, that He would petition the Lord for deliverance –

“So the captain came to him, and said to him, ‘What do you mean, sleeper? Arise, call on your God; perhaps your God will consider us, so that we may not perish.’” Jonah 1:6

They had seen the miracles and knew Jesus had a direct and intimate relationship with God. Therefore, His prayer to them would have been heard. It seems this, too, may have been on their minds. Therefore, Matthew records that they were “saying, ‘Lord, You save us! We perish!’”

The word translated as save, sózó, carries various significations. It can mean to save from peril, to heal from a disease, to rescue from physical or spiritual disaster, etc. One instance in Acts has a similar taste to what is seen here in Matthew –

“And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, when they had let down the skiff into the sea, under pretense of putting out anchors from the prow, ³¹ Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, ‘Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.’ ³² Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the skiff and let it fall off.” Acts 27:30-32

This account in Acts does not refer to salvation from sin, healing, etc. Rather, Paul is telling them that their lives will be lost in the storm if they don’t take the appropriate action. The disciples are asking for the same thing. Thus, whether through prayer to the Father or bailing out the water, they need Jesus’ ability in the matter to get them through the ordeal.

Life application: The commentary above is not intended to dismiss the nature and capabilities of Jesus. But we are looking back on an account of men being swamped in a boat, knowing that He is the Lord God incarnate. These men did not know this. They were about to die and needed Jesus to assist in their deliverance.

It is important to not take our later knowledge of a matter and insert it into what is being said. The prophets of old received the word of God and wrote it down accordingly, but they had no idea what was being conveyed to and through them. Peter explains this –

“Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, ¹¹ searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. ¹² To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.” 1 Peter 1:10-12

Likewise, the apostles had to go through the ministry of Jesus, experiencing each step of it to incrementally learn His nature and ability. Even as they stood at the cross, they were still without understanding. And even after the resurrection, and having been told what happened, one of them still couldn’t believe it –

“Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. ²⁵ The other disciples therefore said to him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’
So he said to them, ‘Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.’
²⁶ And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, ‘Peace to you!’ ²⁷ Then He said to Thomas, ‘Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.’
²⁸ And Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” John 20:24-28

The understanding of Thomas only came after all of these things took place, including an actual, physical encounter with the risen Lord. Such accounts are all we need to see that we should not insert our knowledge of who Jesus is into what the apostles knew as they struggled in the ship as it passed across the Sea of Galilee.

Lord God, we are so grateful that we now have a full understanding of who Jesus is. We don’t have to struggle with the truth that is revealed in Your word. We know that You, O God, came in the form of a Man, having united with Your creation to return us back to Yourself. How great You are, our Lord and our God! Amen.

Thursday, 20 March 2025

And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Matthew 8:24

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And, you behold! A great gale, it arose in the sea, so too the boat being swamped under the waves, and Himself, He slept” (CG).

The previous verse said that Jesus got into the boat while the other disciples followed Him. Next, Matthew records, “And, you behold! A great gale.”

The widest spot of the Sea of Galilee is about 8 miles. As they were going from Capernaum to the country of the Gergesenes, this would have extended the trip quite a bit, it being further south from Capernaum.

As such, and depending on whether they rowed or hoisted sail, the trip would be several hours at a minimum. For example, for one to row 10 miles, it would take from 1.5 to 3 hours, but the longer time would be assumed for normal traveling.

At some point, a seismos, a gale, arose. The word signifies a commotion either in the air or the ground. It is most generally translated as an earthquake. In this instance, it is referring to a gale coming downward from the higher mountainous areas and disturbing the sea.

Despite its small size, the shape and depth of the Sea of Galilee can produce enormous waves very quickly during such a wind event. The winds off the Mediterranean come heavily upon the land. When they reach the Arbel Pass, they are squished between the mountains, gaining speed.

From there, the winds rush down upon the lower sea and lift its surface. Such an event can arise in mere minutes, going from a calm and tranquil state to raging waters agitated as if by an underground tremor.

To see such an event actually occurring there, one can go to YouTube and search “Monster Storm at the Sea of Galilee where Jesus Walked.” This is to be found on the Sergio and Rhoda in Israel channel. Get ready for big fun and adventure where they highlight footage from just such a storm. Understanding this, Matthew next records concerning this seismos, “it arose in the sea, so too the boat being swamped.”

There are a couple of new words. The first is hóste. It is a word derived from hós (as, like, since, etc.), and te (and, also, etc.). Together, they form a word that connects a cause to a necessary effect. Thus, “so too” gets the point across.

The next word is kaluptó, to be swamped. The word is akin to krupto, to cover up or conceal. Thus, it gives the sense of covering. As this is a boat on the sea, it means the waters are covering the ship. They were being swamped, “under the waves.”

The word, kuma, wave, is also new, coming from kuo, to swell (as when bearing a child). Thus, it is a billow or wave. Such a situation, even to the most experienced of seamen, would be terrifying. They would be completely at the mercy of the elements as they were tossed about. Despite this, it next says of Jesus, “and Himself, He slept.”

Another new word is seen, katheudó, to sleep. Despite the raging of the seas, Jesus was getting much-needed sleep after all of the time He had spent tending to the people. He was in a carefree state despite the raging of the waters.

Life application: On Sunday, 25 January 1736, while traveling to America on a ship, John Wesley had a similar event happen. There was a terrifying and dangerous storm swirling around them. Despite this, his journal records these words –

“At seven I went to the Germans. I had long before observed the great seriousness of their behaviour. Of their humility they had given a continual proof, by performing those servile offices for the other passengers, which none of the English would undertake; for which they desired, and would receive no pay, saying, ‘“it was good for their proud hearts,’ and ‘their loving Saviour had done more for them.’ And every day had given them occasion of showing a meekness which no injury could move. If they were pushed, struck, or thrown down, they rose again and went away; but no complaint was found in their mouth. There was now an opportunity of trying whether they were delivered from the Spirit of fear, as well as from that of pride, anger, and revenge. In the midst of the psalm wherewith their service began, the sea broke over, split the main-sail in pieces, covered the ship, and poured in between the decks, as if the great deep had already swallowed us up. A terrible screaming began among the English. The Germans calmly sung on. I asked one of them afterwards, ‘Was you not afraid?’ He answered, ‘I thank God, no.’ I asked, ‘But were not your women and children afraid?’ He replied, mildly, ‘No; our women and children are not afraid to die.’
From them I went to their crying, trembling neighbours, and pointed out to them the difference in the hour of trial, between him that feareth God, and him that feareth him not. At twelve the wind fell. This was the most glorious day which I have hitherto seen.”

The main point of this entry is that when you have the hope of eternal life because of Christ, there should be no true fear of death. It is coming to all of us, whether we like it or not. But in Christ, His people will be raised to eternal life. Death, schmeath. No fear here! We belong to Jesus.

Lord God, whether we live for You or not, our days are set and numbered. You know them all. For those who know You, why should we be concerned about the things that hem us in and cause commotion? Troubles are sure to come, but they are temporary and will pass away into the eternal joy You have promised Your people. Thank You for the reassurance we can possess if we just trust in You. Amen.