And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

MARK 4:40KJV
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Mark 4:40 (KJV)

What does Mark 4:40 mean?

Mark 4:40 shows Jesus asking his disciples why they are so afraid and why they have no faith, right after calming a dangerous storm. Jesus is highlighting their fear and lack of trust in him, even though he is present with them.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking directly to his disciples in a boat after a sudden storm on the Sea of Galilee. The disciples had panicked and woken Jesus, fearing for their lives. By asking these questions, Jesus points out that their fear reveals a lack of confidence in him, despite everything they have already seen him do.

The Greek behind Mark 4:40

  • The word "fearful" (δειλοί, deiloi) often means "cowardly" or "timid," not just scared. Jesus is not only noting their fear but also their lack of courage or confidence.
  • The phrase "no faith" (πίστις, pistis) uses a strong negative, suggesting not just weak faith but the absence of trust altogether. This underlines how completely the disciples failed to rely on Jesus in that moment.

Why Mark 4:40 matters

  • Mark 4:40 clarifies that Jesus expects his followers to trust him even in frightening situations, not just when things are calm.
  • The verse connects to the wider story by showing that the disciples, though close to Jesus, still struggle to grasp who he is and what it means to trust him.
  • This moment sets up a contrast between Jesus’ calm authority and the disciples’ fear, helping readers see the difference between human anxiety and divine confidence.

Where else these words appear

“fearful” Greek G1169 · used in 3 verses

  • Matthew 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.
  • Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

“ye” Greek G2075 · used in 88 verses

  • Matthew 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
  • John 13:10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
  • 1 Corinthians 9:2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.

“it” Greek G4459 · used in 100 verses

  • Matthew 6:28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
  • Luke 12:11 And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:
  • Acts 9:27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.