Matthew 14:32-33
And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The word for "ceased" doesn't just mean the wind stopped; it implies the wind grew weary and subsided, like a force that naturally fades away, revealing Jesus' supreme authority over the very elements. This gentle, almost organic, cessation highlights that his power isn't about brute force, but an inherent dominion that calms the storm with a word.
After Jesus miraculously fed the thousands, he sent his disciples across the stormy sea while he went to pray. They struggled against a fierce wind until Jesus appeared, walking on the water and even letting Peter join him. As soon as Jesus and Peter got into the boat, the wind immediately stopped, bringing a sudden and profound calm.
Ever feel like a storm just won't quit? This verse uses a surprising word to describe the wind finally stopping. It wasn't just switched off; it was exhausted.
The original Greek word used here, 'ekopasen,' literally means 'grew weary' or 'worked itself out.' It paints a picture of the wind not being forcefully subdued, but rather naturally subsiding, as if it had expended all its energy.
This isn't just a poetic flourish. It highlights Jesus' absolute authority. He didn't just calm the storm; the very forces of nature recognized His presence and power and simply… stopped.
Think about it: nature itself yielding to its Creator. The furious gale, a powerful force, 'grew weary' and ceased. It's a profound illustration of how all of creation is subject to Jesus.
Peter's terrifying walk on the water ended with him sinking. But when Jesus Himself stepped into the boat, something profound shifted.
The disciples had just witnessed Peter sink, and before that, they were terrified by Jesus walking on the sea. The fear was palpable.
But the moment Jesus, who is called the 'Prince of Peace,' entered their boat, the wind immediately ceased. This wasn't just a coincidence. It was a divine declaration: where Jesus is, peace follows.
This event underscores a deep theological truth. Jesus doesn't just calm external storms; His presence brings internal peace. The disciples, terrified and amazed, were finally able to worship Him, acknowledging His true identity.
They had just seen an astonishing miracle: Jesus walking on water! Yet, when the wind died down, they were still amazed. Why the disconnect?
The disciples were amazed by the wind ceasing, even after witnessing Jesus walk on water. The commentary points out their hearts were 'hardened' and they hadn't 'reflected on the loaves.'
This reveals a struggle many of us face: a blindness to God's consistent power. They should have seen the wind calming as a natural consequence of the power that allowed Jesus to walk on water, and even more so, remembering the miracle of the loaves.
Understand the original words
proskuneo · Greek Verb
An act of humble submission, reverence, and adoration toward a deity. In the New Testament, it is the appropriate response of humans to the divine presence and authority of Jesus Christ.
huios theou · Greek Noun phrase
A title affirming Jesus' unique divine relationship with God the Father and His status as the promised Messiah. It points to His deity, authority, and role as the perfect representative of God to humanity.
The sudden, miraculous calming of the storm the moment Jesus entered the boat highlights His absolute authority over nature and underscores the disciples' growing recognition of His divine identity.
c. AD 28
Jesus begins public ministry
Jesus commences his ministry, gathering disciples and performing miracles in Galilee.
c. AD 28
Feeding of the Five Thousand
Jesus miraculously feeds over 5,000 men with five loaves and two fish. This event precedes the disciples' storm experience.
Evening of the same day
Jesus sends disciples across the sea
Jesus compels his disciples to get into a boat and cross the Sea of Galilee, while he goes to pray alone.
Night
Violent storm on the Sea of Galilee
A fierce wind arises, tossing the disciples' boat amidst waves, causing them great distress.
Fourth watch of the night (c. 3 AM - 6 AM)
Jesus walks on water
This Psalm speaks of God controlling the sea and the storms, bringing calm with His word. It echoes the idea that Jesus, by calming the wind, is demonstrating His divine authority over creation.
Jonah 1:15In this story, the sailors throw Jonah overboard to quell a storm, a desperate act to appease the sea. The disciples' situation was dire, but Jesus's presence and command brought immediate peace, highlighting a stark contrast in authority.
Mark 4:39This passage describes Jesus rebuking the wind and sea, leading to an immediate calm. It shows the disciples' similar astonishment at Jesus's power, reinforcing the theme of His dominion over the elements.
John 6:21This verse states that the ship was immediately at the land when Jesus got in. It suggests that the cessation of the wind was coupled with an instantaneous arrival, emphasizing the completeness of Jesus's miraculous intervention.
vincentMatthew 14:32: "And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased."
Ceased (ἐκόπασεν)A beautiful word. Lit., grew weary; sank away like one who is weary.
calvinMatthew 14:22-33: "And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away."
- And immediately Jesus constrained his disciples to embark, and to go before him to the opposite bank, till he had sent away the multitudes. 23. And when he had sent away the multitudes, he went up into a mountain alone to pray; and when the evening came, he was there alone. 24. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tosse…
The word for "ceased" doesn't just mean the wind stopped; it implies the wind grew weary and subsided, like a force that naturally fades away, revealing Jesus' supreme authority over the very elements. This gentle, almost organic, cessation highlights that his power isn't about brute force, but an inherent dominion that calms the storm with a word.
After Jesus miraculously fed the thousands, he sent his disciples across the stormy sea while he went to pray. They struggled against a fierce wind until Jesus appeared, walking on the water and even letting Peter join him. As soon as Jesus and Peter got into the boat, the wind immediately stopped, bringing a sudden and profound calm.
After Jesus miraculously fed the thousands, he sent his disciples across the stormy sea while he went to pray. They struggled against a fierce wind until Jesus appeared, walking on the water and even letting Peter join him. As soon as Jesus and Peter got into the boat, the wind immediately stopped, bringing a sudden and profound calm.
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Their amazement at the storm's end, instead of a deeper recognition of Jesus' divine nature, highlights how easily we can become accustomed to miracles or have our spiritual senses dulled by fear and lack of reflection. True understanding comes from recognizing Jesus' authority in all His works.
Jesus appears to the disciples, walking on the stormy sea. Peter attempts to join him but begins to sink.
Immediately upon boarding— this verse
Jesus enters the boat
Jesus steps into the disciples' boat, and the violent wind immediately ceases, bringing calm.
Following the calm
Disciples worship Jesus
Those in the boat, awestruck by the cessation of the storm and Jesus' power, worship him, recognizing him as the Son of God.
"And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”" — The word for "ceased" doesn't just mean the wind stopped; it implies the wind grew weary and subsided, like a force that naturally fades away, revealing Jesus' supreme authority over the very eleme…
