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.

MATTHEW 8:26KJV
Know the Bible

Matthew 8:26 (KJV)

What does Matthew 8:26 mean?

Matthew 8:26 shows Jesus questioning his disciples’ fear during a storm, pointing out their lack of faith, and then calming the winds and the sea, resulting in a sudden and complete peace. The verse highlights both the disciples’ anxiety and Jesus’ authority over nature.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to his disciples while they are in a boat during a violent storm. The disciples are frightened, and Jesus addresses their fear by calling them “of little faith.” After this, Jesus stands up and commands the wind and the sea to be still, and immediately there is a great calm, demonstrating his power and the trust he expects from his followers.

The Greek behind Matthew 8:26

  • The word for “fearful” is δειλοί (deiloi), which often means timid or cowardly rather than just afraid. This suggests Jesus is not only noting their fear, but also a lack of courage or trust in him.
  • The phrase “of little faith” comes from ὀλιγόπιστοι (oligopistoi), meaning those with insufficient or small faith. This word is used by Jesus in several places to gently rebuke his followers when they doubt.
  • The verb “rebuked” is ἐπετίμησεν (epetimēsen), which means to command sternly or sharply. Jesus is not just speaking to the wind and sea; he is exercising authority, as one might correct or restrain something out of control.
  • The word for “great” is μεγάλη (megalē), emphasizing the completeness and impressiveness of the calm that follows. The calm is not ordinary, but striking and total.

Why Matthew 8:26 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that faith is only about belief in quiet times; it shows that trust is especially tested in moments of fear and danger.
  • Matthew 8:26 emphasizes Jesus’ authority over the natural world, connecting to the broader theme in this chapter of Jesus’ power over sickness, spirits, and now creation itself.
  • The verse highlights the disciples’ ongoing struggle to trust, which is a recurring theme in the Gospels, helping readers see that even those closest to Jesus wrestled with doubt.

Where else these words appear

“fearful” Greek G1169 · used in 3 verses

  • Mark 4:40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
  • 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.

“calm” Greek G1055 · used in 3 verses

  • Mark 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
  • Luke 8:24 And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.

“faith” Greek G3640 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 6:30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
  • Matthew 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
  • Matthew 16:8 Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?

“rebuked” Greek G2008 · used in 29 verses

  • Matthew 12:16 And charged them that they should not make him known:
  • Mark 8:32 And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.
  • Luke 9:21 And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing;