Matthew 8:26-27
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Jesus’ question, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" highlights that their fear wasn't just about the storm, but a symptom of misplaced trust. He rebuked the winds and sea after speaking to his disciples, showing that calming their hearts was as important, if not more so, than stilling the waves.
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. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus had just finished teaching the crowds and agreed to cross the Sea of Galilee with his disciples, but a violent storm suddenly erupted while he was asleep. The disciples, terrified and feeling their boat would capsize, woke him up urgently. This moment is a stark illustration of their wavering trust in Jesus' power amidst extreme danger.
Jesus calls the disciples "O you of little faith." But what does that really mean? Were they completely faithless, or was it something else?
The disciples' fear didn't mean they had no faith, but that their trust in Jesus wasn't as strong or as active as it could be.
Not Zero Faith
Notice they did wake Jesus up, asking for help. This shows they believed He could do something, even if they doubted He would, or that He was the One who could save them in that moment. They had a flicker of faith, enough to seek Him out.
Faith Overwhelmed
However, their fear was so intense it overshadowed their faith. Jesus uses the term "timid" or "fearful" alongside "little faith" to show that their fear had grown beyond healthy bounds, paralyzing their trust. True faith, even in a storm, would have brought a sense of peace and confidence in Jesus' presence and power.
With a few words, Jesus silences a violent storm. This wasn't just a display of power; it was a declaration of who He is.
Jesus' command to the wind and sea demonstrates His absolute authority over the natural world. This is a profound theological statement.
Divine Power
The disciples are stunned because they recognize that only God has such power. By rebuking the elements, Jesus reveals His divine nature. He isn't just nature to calm down; He is it, and it obeys.
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Purposeful Miracle
This event wasn't accidental. The storm arose while Jesus slept, testing the disciples' faith. His subsequent calming of the storm served multiple purposes: to save them from perishing, to expose their lack of faith, and crucially, to reveal His own glorious power and identity to them.
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.
thaumazo · Greek Verb
A state of astonishment or wonder. It frequently describes the reaction of those witnessing Jesus' miracles, indicating recognition of something supernatural or divine that exceeds human understanding.
This event on the Sea of Galilee highlights the volatile weather patterns of the region, which were familiar to the fishing disciples, making their fear and subsequent awe of Jesus' power even more profound.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee
Jesus conducted much of his public ministry around the Sea of Galilee, teaching, healing, and gathering disciples.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus Calls Disciples
Many of Jesus' disciples were fishermen from the villages around the Sea of Galilee. They were accustomed to the sea's temperament.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus Teaches and Performs Miracles
Jesus taught crowds and performed numerous miracles, demonstrating his authority over nature, sickness, and demonic forces.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Jesus Crosses the Sea of Galilee
Jesus and his disciples set out to cross the Sea of Galilee in a boat, as he had a teaching engagement or sought a quiet place.
Early 1st century AD
Sudden Storm on the Sea of Galilee
A violent storm arose quickly on the Sea of Galilee, filling the boat with water and causing great distress among the disciples.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus Calms the Storm
Jesus, awakened by his fearful disciples, rebuked the wind and the sea, bringing about an immediate and complete calm.
This passage also describes God's power over the sea, showing that He can command the storms and bring about calm, mirroring Jesus' authority over the elements.
Job 38:11This verse highlights God's absolute control over the sea, stating that He sets its boundaries and commands it to stop, which resonates with Jesus' rebuke of the storm.
Isaiah 41:10This prophetic promise assures believers that God is with them and will strengthen them, directly countering the fear experienced by the disciples and offering a divine antidote to their 'little faith'.
Mark 4:39This parallel account provides Jesus' actual words to the storm, 'Peace! Be still!', emphasizing the direct command given to the elements and the immediate, profound calm that followed.
Matthew 14:31In this instance, Peter begins to sink due to his fear and lack of faith, prompting Jesus to immediately reach out and save him, demonstrating the same concern for His disciples' faith and safety.
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’ question, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" highlights that their fear wasn't just about the storm, but a symptom of misplaced trust. He rebuked the winds and sea after speaking to his disciples, showing that calming their hearts was as important, if not more so, than stilling the waves.
Jesus had just finished teaching the crowds and agreed to cross the Sea of Galilee with his disciples, but a violent storm suddenly erupted while he was asleep. The disciples, terrified and feeling their boat would capsize, woke him up urgently. This moment is a stark illustration of their wavering trust in Jesus' power amidst extreme danger.
Jesus had just finished teaching the crowds and agreed to cross the Sea of Galilee with his disciples, but a violent storm suddenly erupted while he was asleep. The disciples, terrified and feeling their boat would capsize, woke him up urgently. This moment is a stark illustration of their wavering trust in Jesus' power amidst extreme danger.
"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. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”" — Jesus’ question, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" highlights that their fear wasn't just about the storm, but a symptom of misplaced trust. He rebuked the winds and sea after speaking t…
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Last reviewed October 2026
