Jonah 1:16

“Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, etc.] This was not a natural fear, as before, but a religious one; and not a servile fear, or a fear of punishment, but a reverential godly fear; for they feared him, not only because they saw his power in raising and stilling the tempest, but his goodness to them in saving them: and offered a sacrifice unto the Lord; a spiritual sacrifice; the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving for a safe deliverance from the storm; for other sort of sacrifice they seemed not to have materials for; since they had thrown overboard what they had in the ship to lighten it, unless there might be anything left fit for this purpose; but rather, if it is to be understood…”

“offered a sacrifice--They offered some sacrifice of thanksgiving at once, and vowed more when they should land. GLASSIUS thinks it means only, "They promised to offer a sacrifice."”

“And the men feared the Lord with a great fear - because, from the tranquility of the sea and the ceasing of the tempest, they saw that the prophet’s words were true. This great miracle completed the conversion of the mariners. God had removed all human cause of fear; and yet, in the same words as before, he says, “they feared a great fear;” but he adds, “the Lord.” It was the great fear, with which even the disciples of Jesus feared, when they saw the miracles which He did, which made even Peter say, Luke 5:8. “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” Events full of wonder had thronged upon them; things beyond nature, and contrary to nature; tidings which betokened His presence, Who…”

“Feared the Lord - Perhaps as Jonah's casting over - board was a type of Christ's death, so the effect it had upon the mariners might be a type of the conversion of the Heathen from idols unto God. Made vows - Probably they vowed, they would ever worship him whom Jonah preached, the Creator of heaven and earth. Jonah 1:17”

“1:16 awestruck: God’s display of power over the storm-tossed sea moved the sailors to worship. Although sacrifices and vows were aspects of Israelite worship (e.g., Ps 116:17-18), it is unlikely that the sailors were completely converted from the worship of false gods; they probably added Israel’s god to their list. It is ironic that pagan sailors honored the Lord while the Lord’s prophet, having dishonored him, apparently plunged to his death (cp. study note on Jon 2:8-9).”

“feared: Jon 1:10; Isa 26:9; Dan 4:34-37, Dan 6:26; Mar 4:31; Act 5:11 offered: etc. Heb. sacrificed a sacrifice unto the Lord, and vowed vows, Gen 8:20; Jdg 13:16; Kg2 5:17; Psa 107:22; Isa 60:5-7 made: Gen 28:20; Psa 50:14, Psa 66:13-16, Psa 116:14; Ecc 5:4 Jonah 1:17”