And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus doesn't just calm the storm, He first rebukes the disciples' "little faith," implying their fear isn't from the storm itself, but from a lack of trust in His presence and power. His words to them, "Why are you afraid?" highlight that the true crisis wasn't the raging sea, but their wavering faith.
And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus and his disciples set sail across the Sea of Galilee, but a violent storm suddenly erupts, filling their boat with water and threatening to sink them. While Jesus sleeps peacefully through the chaos, his disciples, in a panic, wake him with cries of distress. This verse captures Jesus' gentle but firm response to their fear, questioning their lack of trust before he calms the tempest.
Why does Jesus ask 'Why are you afraid?' when the disciples were clearly in danger? It turns out fear and faith aren't always opposites, but their kind matters.
Jesus’ question, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” isn’t just a reprimand. It’s an invitation to understand the nature of fear and faith.
The Danger of Excessive Fear
While all fear might seem like the opposite of faith, Jesus distinguishes between fear that awakens faith and fear that banishes it. The disciples’ fear wasn't just about the storm; it was an 'immoderate dread' that overwhelmed their trust in Jesus’ presence and power. They were so consumed by the immediate danger that they forgot who was with them.
Faith's True Test
True faith doesn't mean the absence of challenges, but a confidence that rests on God’s promises, even when circumstances are dire. The disciples, though they called out to Jesus, did so with panic, as if His divine power could be 'oppressed by carnal sleep.' Their faith was present, but 'little,' meaning it wasn't actively exercised or strong enough to quell their terror.
He didn't just calm the storm; He rebuked it. Discover the staggering power of Jesus' word and what it reveals about His identity.
The climax of this event is Jesus’ direct command to the elements. He 'rebuked the winds and the sea,' a powerful action demonstrating His absolute authority over the natural world.
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A Divine Command
This wasn't a gentle suggestion; it was a divine reprimand. The original language suggests Jesus was speaking with authority, as if addressing a disobedient subordinate. This action wasn't just to save the disciples but to reveal His unique divine power.
Awe and Wonder
The disciples’ reaction – 'What sort of man is this?' – highlights the profound impact of this miracle. They witnessed firsthand that even the 'winds and the sea obey him.' This display of power served as undeniable proof of His divine nature, setting Him apart from any human leader.
Understand the original words
deilos · Greek Adjective
A state of emotional distress or dread, often contrasted with trust in God's providence and power. In a spiritual context, it is frequently corrected by the presence and sovereignty of Christ.
oligopistos · Greek Adjective
Used in the NT to denote a deficiency in trust or confidence in God's power and promises. It is often rebuked by Jesus when disciples allow circumstances to override their knowledge of who He is.
epitimao · Greek Verb
A stern command or verbal censure. In the Gospels, it is used by Jesus to silence the demonic or to subdue the chaos of the natural world, demonstrating His divine authority over creation.
galene · Greek Noun
The result of a divine act; in this context, it signifies the restoration of order and peace following the exercise of Jesus' sovereign power over the elements.
This event highlights the disciples' struggle to trust Jesus' divine power even when in his presence, especially when facing natural forces that seemed beyond human control.
c. 27 AD
Jesus' Ministry Begins
Jesus begins his public ministry, calling disciples and teaching throughout Galilee. His growing reputation attracts large crowds.
c. 27 AD
Jesus Teaches Sermon on the Mount
This event immediately follows Jesus delivering the Sermon on the Mount, a foundational teaching on discipleship and the Kingdom of God.
c. 27 AD
Jesus Heals Many in Capernaum
Immediately after the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus heals many people in Capernaum, demonstrating his authority over sickness.
c. 27 AD
Jesus Calls Matthew
Jesus calls Matthew the tax collector to be a disciple, dining with tax collectors and sinners, which causes controversy.
c. 27 AD— this verse
Jesus Calms the Storm
Jesus and his disciples set out across the Sea of Galilee, where a sudden, violent storm arises. Jesus, awakened by his terrified disciples, rebukes the wind and sea, bringing immediate calm.
c. 27 AD
Jesus Heals Demoniacs in Gadarene
After crossing the sea, Jesus encounters and heals two men possessed by demons, who then destroy a herd of pigs. This event takes place on the 'other side' of the lake.
This passage describes God's sovereign power over the sea, setting its boundaries and calming its waves, mirroring Jesus' authority over the storm in Matthew 8.
Psalm 107:25-30This psalm recounts God answering cries in distress by stilling storms and bringing ships to their desired haven, showing a divine power that Jesus directly exercises.
Mark 4:39-41This parallel account in Mark provides the direct words Jesus spoke to the storm, 'Peace! Be still!' and also highlights the disciples' awe and questioning of His identity, similar to Matthew's account.
Luke 8:25Luke's version of this event emphasizes Jesus' question, 'Where is your faith?' directly following the calming of the storm, aligning with Matthew's focus on the disciples' 'little faith'.
Isaiah 41:10This verse from Isaiah assures God's presence and strengthening power in times of trouble, offering comfort that contrasts with the disciples' fear and speaks to the underlying truth of Jesus' intervention.
calvinMatthew 8:23-27: "And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him."
- And when he had entered into the ship, [535] his disciples followed him. 24. And, lo, there was a great swell in the sea, so that the ship was covered with the billows: and he was asleep. 25. And his disiples approached and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us, we perish. 26. And he saith to them, Why are you timid, O men of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea: and there was a great ca…
barnesMatthew 8:26: "And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm."
Why are ye fearful? - You should have remembered that the Son of God, the Messiah, was on board. You should not have forgotten that he had power to save, and that with him you are safe. So Christians should never fear danger, disease, or death. With Jesus they are safe. No enemy can reach him; and as he is safe, so they shall be also, Jo…
Jesus doesn't just calm the storm, He first rebukes the disciples' "little faith," implying their fear isn't from the storm itself, but from a lack of trust in His presence and power. His words to them, "Why are you afraid?" highlight that the true crisis wasn't the raging sea, but their wavering faith.
Jesus and his disciples set sail across the Sea of Galilee, but a violent storm suddenly erupts, filling their boat with water and threatening to sink them. While Jesus sleeps peacefully through the chaos, his disciples, in a panic, wake him with cries of distress. This verse captures Jesus' gentle but firm response to their fear, questioning their lack of trust before he calms the tempest.
Jesus and his disciples set sail across the Sea of Galilee, but a violent storm suddenly erupts, filling their boat with water and threatening to sink them. While Jesus sleeps peacefully through the chaos, his disciples, in a panic, wake him with cries of distress. This verse captures Jesus' gentle but firm response to their fear, questioning their lack of trust before he calms the tempest.
"And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm." — Jesus doesn't just calm the storm, He first rebukes the disciples' "little faith," implying their fear isn't from the storm itself, but from a lack of trust in His presence and power. His words to th…
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Last reviewed October 2026