Matthew 8:26 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jesus gently rebukes their fear, then commands the wind and sea, and a great calm follows.
What Does Matthew 8:26 Mean?
Jesus first addresses the disciples' hearts before He addresses the storm. 'Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?' The question is tender as well as searching, for He is in the boat with them, and His presence should have stilled their dread. Then He rises and rebukes the winds and the sea.
At His word the chaos obeys. Where there had been a raging tempest, there is now a great calm, sudden and total. The same authority that healed the sick and cast out spirits now commands the elements themselves. This is the act of One to whom all creation answers. The scene teaches that faith looks to the power and presence of Christ rather than to the size of the storm, for the One who rules the wind and waves is with His own.
Matthew 8:26 in the Original Language
epitimao (ἐπιτιμάω), 'rebuked' -- to command sternly; Jesus speaks to the wind and sea as to something under his authority.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 8:26
What does Matthew 8:26 mean?
Jesus gently rebukes their fear, then commands the wind and sea, and a great calm follows.