And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The disciples cry "Master, Master!" not just out of desperation, but also to remind themselves, and perhaps even Jesus, of his authority over the storm. Their repeated call emphasizes their fading faith, hoping his title alone will invoke the power they've forgotten is present.
And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus and his disciples are caught in a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee, a terrifying situation where their boat is filling with water and they fear for their lives. Despite the tempest, Jesus is fast asleep, prompting the disciples to urgently wake him, calling out in desperation, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" This moment highlights the disciples' fear and their growing realization of Jesus' authority over the natural world.
In the heart of a terrifying storm, the disciples cry out in desperation. What does their fear reveal about their faith, and how does it mirror our own struggles?
The disciples' frantic cries of "Master, Master, we are perishing!" show a moment of profound human fear. While they did call on Jesus, their plea is tinged with panic.
A Plea in Extremis
This scene pulls back the curtain on their developing faith. They reached out to Jesus, which is a crucial step, but their fear momentarily eclipsed their trust in His power. It’s a powerful reminder that even those closest to Jesus experienced moments where their faith felt insufficient against overwhelming circumstances.
Jesus awakens and commands the storm to cease. What does this incredible act tell us about His identity and power over the created world?
The moment Jesus rebukes the wind and waves is a dramatic demonstration of His divine authority. He doesn't just calm the storm; He commands it, and it obeys.
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The Creator's Voice
This event isn't just about Jesus saving His disciples from drowning. It's a revelation of His identity as the one who spoke the world into existence (Genesis 1). The Creator's voice stills His creation. The disciples' later wonder, "What sort of man is this?" shows they were beginning to grasp that He was far more than just a teacher.
Jesus asks His disciples, 'Where is your faith?' What's the difference between their panicked plea and true faith, and how can we cultivate the latter?
This miracle is as much about the disciples' faith (or lack thereof) as it is about Jesus' power. Jesus’ question, "Where is your faith?" cuts to the heart of their response to the crisis.
The Test of Faith
Jesus isn't condemning them for feeling fear, but for allowing that fear to displace their faith. The goal isn't to never feel fear, but to ensure that our faith in God's power and presence remains the dominant force, especially when the waves are crashing around us.
Understand the original words
epistatēs · Greek Noun
A title signifying authority and instruction; it acknowledges Jesus as the authoritative Teacher and Lord who has the right to command and guide His followers.
epitimaō · Greek Verb
To rebuke or command with authority; in the Gospels, it denotes the sovereign power of Jesus over natural and supernatural forces, commanding them to cease or depart.
This event took place during Jesus' active ministry around the Sea of Galilee, highlighting the disciples' limited faith in the face of natural dangers, even with Jesus present.
c. 27-30 AD— this verse
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee
Jesus travels around the Sea of Galilee, teaching, healing, and calling disciples. This period includes numerous miracles and parables as his fame spreads.
c. 27-30 AD
Jesus Calls Disciples
During his Galilean ministry, Jesus calls fishermen like Peter, Andrew, James, and John to follow him, forming the core of his disciples.
c. 27-30 AD
Jesus Teaches with Parables
Jesus often taught crowds by the Sea of Galilee, using parables like the Sower to explain the Kingdom of God. This event likely occurred after such a day of teaching.
c. 27-30 AD
Travel across the Sea of Galilee
Jesus, accompanied by his disciples in a boat, intends to cross the Sea of Galilee, a common route for ministry.
This passage presents the same event but from Matthew's perspective, highlighting the disciples' fear and Jesus' rebuke of their lack of faith alongside stilling the storm.
Mark 4:35-41Mark's account offers even more detail, including Jesus' actual words to the wind ('Hush! Be still!') and emphasizing the disciples' awe and questioning of who Jesus truly is.
Psalm 107:25-29This Old Testament psalm describes God's power over the sea, depicting Him as the one who commands storms to cease and brings calm, foreshadowing Jesus' divine authority over the elements.
Job 38:8-11Here, God Himself recounts His sovereign power over the seas, setting boundaries for the waves and declaring His control, which Jesus demonstrates directly in this event.
vincentLuke 8:24: "And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm."
MasterSee on Luke 5:5.RebukedCompare the more detailed narrative of Mark 4:39, and see notes there. Wyc., blamed.The raging (κλύδωνι)See on James 1:6.Arose (διεγερθεὶς)Wrong. It is the word used just before, awoke. Lit., having been thoroughly awakened. Rev., correctly, he awoke. Luke is especially fond of…
bengelLuke 8:24: "And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm."
Luke 8:24 . Ἐπιστάτα , ἐπιστάτα , Master, Master ) An Epizeuxis [a repetition of the same word in the same sentence to give force. Append.] answering to the feeling of the moment.
The disciples cry "Master, Master!" not just out of desperation, but also to remind themselves, and perhaps even Jesus, of his authority over the storm. Their repeated call emphasizes their fading faith, hoping his title alone will invoke the power they've forgotten is present.
Jesus and his disciples are caught in a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee, a terrifying situation where their boat is filling with water and they fear for their lives. Despite the tempest, Jesus is fast asleep, prompting the disciples to urgently wake him, calling out in desperation, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" This moment highlights the disciples' fear and their growing realization of Jesus' authority over the natural world.
Jesus and his disciples are caught in a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee, a terrifying situation where their boat is filling with water and they fear for their lives. Despite the tempest, Jesus is fast asleep, prompting the disciples to urgently wake him, calling out in desperation, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" This moment highlights the disciples' fear and their growing realization of Jesus' authority over the natural world.
"And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm." — The disciples cry "Master, Master!" not just out of desperation, but also to remind themselves, and perhaps even Jesus, of his authority over the storm. Their repeated call emphasizes their fading fa…
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Last reviewed October 2026