Chronologically speaking, there is no smooth transition between Matthew 8:17 (in Peter’s house) and Matthew 8:18 (on the edge of the Sea of Galilee, with a crowd around them). Matthew’s focus here is not chronology, but Jesus’ revelation of himself and the meaning of following him.
The three passages—Matthew 8:18–22 (about following Jesus), Matthew 8:23–27 (about the storm on the sea), and Matthew 8:28–34 (the episode in the country of the Gadarenes) all concern events that happen within the framework of going over to the other side
Matthew 8:23–27 relates to Matthew 8:19–22 (which stresses the importance of following him) by showing how well (or not well) the disciples follow him in the storm at sea, which is thus a test of discipleship. Matthew 8:23–27, then, has two main themes. First is Satan’s opposition, seeking to block Jesus’ ministry by preventing his travel to the semi-pagan Decapolis. The book of Job shows that God can grant Satan permission to exercise power over nature, which is why Jesus rebukes natural forces here, even though these forces are impersonal (see Psalm 106:9; Zechariah 3:2). Secondly, this passage shows a struggle of faith. Following Jesus requires faith, but this faith must grow, for it will be tested by the stumbling blocks along the way. Jesus himself, however, keeps our faith from stumbling and saves us. He himself stays calm in the storm, even falling asleep in the midst of it, and saves all who trust in him from every tribulation.
The detailed description of Jesus’ departure to the other side of the Sea of Galilee in Matthew 8:28–34 shows how important this seemingly unsuccessful journey to the land of the Gadarenes was. The passage stresses how Jesus reveals himself throughout this episode. Though the world rejects him, his disciples must follow him as the Son of God, who commands creation and leads them beyond the tomb and beyond death. Thus, the journey described in Matthew 8:28–34 is actually unsuccessful, as it shows the true destination and the path that leads there (see also Mark 5:1–20). In fact, despite the rejection of the gospel by the Gadarenes, this passage shows the absolute powerlessness of demons, who are wholly in Jesus’ hand and must submit to either his grace or his judgment. This is the main message of this section.
The devil is not invincible, even though he sometimes overpowers us with the temptations of sin. Thus this mission to the land of the Gadarenes did not fail, for the journey’s purpose was to show the disciples his power over the devil. Since Satan was more active there than in Palestine itself, he also had to be defeated there. The devil cannot accomplish anything without Jesus’ active permission.
From a historical point of view there is no smooth transition between Matthew 8:17 and Matthew 8:18. In Matthew 8:18 we are evidently suddenly no longer in Peter’s house, but somewhere on the edge of the Sea of Galilee. The presence of a crowd around
Jesus, suggests that they are in a field. Matthew is here not concerned about making a clear historical connection but rather narrating the memorable revelation at one time given by Jesus concerning himself and the nature of discipleship.1
Although the three pericopes, Matthew 8:18–22 (about following Jesus), and Matthew 8:23–27 (concerning the storm on the sea), and Matthew 8:28–34 (the episode in the country of the Gadarenes) are usually discussed separately, Matthew clearly shows us the connection between the discussion that preceded the crossing of the sea and the events that happened during it. He places all of it within the framework of going over to the other side
.2
In Matthew 8:23, the evangelist again picks up the thread of Matthew 8:18, but in light of Matthew 8:19–22 (where the importance of following him is highlighted) the passage regarding the disciples following him and the storm at sea (Matthew 8:23–27) receives new impetus. In fact, the storm itself can now be understood as representing discipleship.3 In Matthew 8:23–27, then, there are two main themes. We must firstly note the opposition of Satan, who here attempts to hinder Jesus’ ministry by preventing him from traveling to the semi-pagan Decapolis. From the book of Job it is evident that God can grant Satan permission to exercise power over nature. This explains why Jesus rebukes natural forces here even though these forces are impersonal (see Psalm 106:9 and Zechariah 3:2). Secondly, this passage highlights a struggle of faith. Following Jesus is only possible through faith, but this faith must grow large, for it will most certainly be tested, as there will always be numerous stumbling blocks along the way. Jesus himself, however, keeps our faith from stumbling and saves us. Jesus remains calm in the storm, so much so that he even falls asleep in the midst of it. Yet from every tribulation, it is Jesus who saves, and all who trust in him are indeed saved.4
The detailed description of Jesus’ departure to the other side of the Sea of Galilee in Matthew 8:28–34 emphasizes just how significant this departure and the seemingly unsuccessful journey to the land of the Gadarenes were. All the emphasis in this passage therefore falls on the way in which Jesus reveals himself throughout this episode. Even as someone rejected by the world, his disciples must be willing to follow him as the Son of God, who commands creation and leads them beyond the tomb and beyond death. In fact, the journey described in Matthew 8:28–34 is only seemingly unsuccessful as it clearly emphasizes the true destination and the path that leads there (see also Mark 5:1–20).5 In fact, even despite the rejection of the gospel in the land of the Gadarenes, this passage especially highlights the absolute powerlessness of demons. They are wholly in Jesus’ hand and must submit to either his grace or his judgment. Even if Jesus is chased away at the end and forced to return to Capernaum, what the apostles had witnessed there must have convinced them that Jesus has power over the forces of darkness. This is the central message of this pericope.
The devil is not invincible, even if it sometimes may seem like this when he overpowers us with the temptations of sin. We therefore cannot say that this mission to the land of the Gadarenes failed, for the very purpose of this journey to a land of the Gentiles was to reveal his power over the devil to his own disciples. There Satan was more active than in Palestine itself, and as such he also had to be defeated there. The devil cannot accomplish anything if Jesus does not actively allow him to do so.6
18 Jésus, voyant une grande foule autour de lui, donna l'ordre de passer sur l'autre bord.