Matthew 8:26-27
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)
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Jesus doesn't just point out their fear; he calls it "little faith." This isn't about their inability to feel fear, but about how their fear eclipsed their trust that He, present and powerful, could handle the storm. Their panic stemmed not from the storm itself, but from forgetting who was with them.
Jesus and his disciples set out across the Sea of Galilee, but a fierce storm suddenly arose, filling their boat with water and threatening to sink it. Despite Jesus sleeping through the initial chaos, his disciples woke him in terror, desperately asking if he cared that they were perishing. Jesus then calms the storm with a word, leading to a profound stillness on the sea.
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
This event highlights the disciples' initial struggle to fully grasp Jesus' divine authority, even after witnessing numerous miracles and receiving direct teaching.
c. 28-30 AD
Jesus begins public ministry
Jesus begins his public ministry in Galilee, gathering disciples and performing miracles.
c. 28-30 AD
Jesus calls disciples
Jesus calls several disciples, including fishermen like Peter, Andrew, James, and John, who would later be with him on the boat.
c. 28-30 AD— this verse
Jesus teaches and performs miracles around the Sea of Galilee
Jesus frequently ministered around the Sea of Galilee, teaching crowds and healing the sick. This event occurs during one such period.
c. 28-30 AD
Jesus rebukes the storm
Jesus, awakened by his terrified disciples, rebukes the wind and sea, bringing about an immediate and great calm.
c. 28-30 AD
This passage describes God's absolute authority over the sea, declaring, '...hitherto shall you come, but no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed.' This echoes Jesus' command to the storm, revealing His divine power over the natural elements.
Psalm 107:29The psalmist recounts God's power to calm storms, 'He made the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof were still.' This ancient praise of God's dominion over the sea foreshadows Jesus' own miraculous action and authority.
Mark 4:39This is the parallel account of the same event, where Jesus directly commands the wind and sea, saying, 'Peace! Be still!' The two accounts, while similar, emphasize different aspects of the disciples' reaction and Jesus' words, enriching our understanding of the moment.
Luke 8:25Luke's account of this event directly questions the disciples' faith, asking, 'Where is your faith?' This complements Matthew's 'Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?' by highlighting the absence of trust as the core issue Jesus addresses.
Isaiah 41:10This verse assures God's people, 'fear not, for I am with you... I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.' Jesus' rebuke of the disciples' fear and His immediate calm of the storm demonstrate this very divine presence and power, offering reassurance to His followers.
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 point out their fear; he calls it "little faith." This isn't about their inability to feel fear, but about how their fear eclipsed their trust that He, present and powerful, could handle the storm. Their panic stemmed not from the storm itself, but from forgetting who was with them.
Jesus and his disciples set out across the Sea of Galilee, but a fierce storm suddenly arose, filling their boat with water and threatening to sink it. Despite Jesus sleeping through the initial chaos, his disciples woke him in terror, desperately asking if he cared that they were perishing. Jesus then calms the storm with a word, leading to a profound stillness on the sea.
Jesus and his disciples set out across the Sea of Galilee, but a fierce storm suddenly arose, filling their boat with water and threatening to sink it. Despite Jesus sleeping through the initial chaos, his disciples woke him in terror, desperately asking if he cared that they were perishing. Jesus then calms the storm with a word, leading to a profound stillness on the sea.
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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.
Disciples question Jesus' identity
The disciples are filled with awe and wonder, questioning who Jesus is, as even the wind and waves obey him.
"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 doesn't just point out their fear; he calls it "little faith." This isn't about their inability to feel fear, but about how their fear eclipsed their trust that He, present and powerful, coul…
