Lexical Summary aphupnoo: To fall asleep, to become drowsy Original Word: ἀφυπνόω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance fall asleep. From a compound of apo and hupnos; properly, to become awake, i.e. (by implication) to drop (off) in slumber -- fall asleep. see GREEK apo see GREEK hupnos Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 879: ἀφυπνόωἀφυπνόω, ἀφύπνω: 1 aorist ἀφυπνωσα; (ὑπνόω to put to sleep, to sleep); a. to awaken from sleep (Anthol. Pal. 9, 517, 5). b. to fall asleep, to fall off to sleep: Luke 8:23; for this the ancient Greeks used καθυπνόω; see Lobeck ad Phryn., p. 224. (Hermas, vis. 1, 1 [ET].) Luke 8:23 records the only New Testament use of ἀφύπνωσα (Strong’s Greek 879): “As they sailed, Jesus fell asleep. A violent windstorm swept down on the lake, and the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger” (Berean Standard Bible). The term describes the moment Jesus, exhausted from continuous ministry, literally “fell into deep sleep” while crossing the Sea of Galilee with His disciples. Christ’s Genuine Humanity The verse underscores the full humanity of Jesus Christ. Though fully divine, He grew weary (John 4:6), hungered (Matthew 4:2), thirsted (John 19:28), and here, slept. Luke carefully stresses this humanity to assure readers that the Savior identifies with human frailty (Hebrews 4:15). His sleep is not weakness but a demonstration that the Incarnation was real, not apparent. Divine Sovereignty Amid Human Frailty Christ’s peaceful sleep in the midst of chaos exemplifies divine composure. Psalm 121:4 affirms that the LORD “will neither slumber nor sleep,” yet the incarnate Son rests, illustrating that even while sleeping He remains Lord of wind and wave. When awakened, He rebukes the storm and brings “a great calm” (Luke 8:24), revealing sovereign authority that accompanies true humanity. Old Testament Echoes Sleep often appears in Scripture as a motif of trust (Psalm 4:8), prophetic revelation (Genesis 15:12), or divine action beyond human effort (1 Samuel 26:12). Jesus’ sleep echoes Jonah’s slumber during a tempest (Jonah 1:5), yet unlike Jonah fleeing in disobedience, Jesus rests in perfect obedience, foreshadowing His redemptive mission. Formation of Discipleship The narrative aims at the disciples’ spiritual formation. Their fearful plea, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” (Luke 8:24), contrasts with His calm. The event transitions them from theoretical belief to experiential faith. The question “Who then is this?” (Luke 8:25) invites every reader to grapple with Jesus’ identity and builds a foundation for later confessions (Luke 9:20). Pastoral and Missional Applications 1. Trust in Trials: Believers may find themselves in sudden storms—physical, emotional, or spiritual—yet Christ is present even when He seems silent. His eventual word is enough to still every gale. Historical Reception Early church fathers such as Tertullian cited Luke 8:23 to refute Docetism, emphasizing Christ’s true flesh. Medieval homilies applied the passage to the church tossed by heresies yet secured by Christ. Reformers highlighted the scene to encourage steadfast faith during persecution, drawing parallels between external storms and internal assurance. Liturgical and Devotional Use Liturgical prayers often draw on the account to invoke divine protection during night’s “stormy darkness.” Hymns like “Master, the Tempest Is Raging” incorporate the theme of Christ’s sleeping yet sovereign presence, strengthening corporate worship and personal devotion. Summary Strong’s Greek 879 occurs once but contributes richly to Christology, discipleship, and pastoral care. Jesus’ sleep in Luke 8:23 testifies simultaneously to His authentic humanity and uncontested divinity, providing enduring assurance that the Lord who can rest amid storms is fully able to calm them—both on Galilee and in the hearts of His people. |
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