King James Version

What Does Luke 8:24 Mean?

Luke 8:24 in the King James Version says “And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the ragi...” — study this verse from Luke chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

Luke 8:24 · KJV

Salvation

Context

22

Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth.

23

But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.

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.

25

And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another , What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.

26

And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. The disciples' urgent cry "Master, master" (Epistata, epistata, Ἐπιστάτα, ἐπιστάτα) uses Luke's characteristic term for Jesus as authoritative teacher and commander. Their desperate "we perish" (apollumetha, ἀπολλύμεθα) employs present tense, conveying immediate conviction of death—not future possibility but present reality.

Jesus' response demonstrates sovereign authority: "he rebuked" (epetimēsen, ἐπετίμησεν) the same verb used for commanding demons (Luke 4:35, 39, 41), suggesting personal agency behind natural forces. The wind and "raging" water (klydōni, κλύδωνι—tumultuous waves) respond to His command as subjects obey their master. "They ceased" (epausanto, ἐπαύσαντο) indicates immediate cessation, and "there was a calm" (galēnē, γαλήνη) describes supernatural tranquility impossible in natural weather patterns.

This miracle echoes Psalm 107:28-30 where Yahweh calms storms at sailors' cry, applying divine prerogatives to Jesus. Only the Creator controls creation (Job 38:8-11). By commanding nature's fundamental forces, Jesus reveals His identity as God incarnate, fulfilling prophecies of divine intervention and establishing credentials as the promised Messiah who exercises Yahweh's own authority.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Mediterranean cultures viewed the sea as chaotic, unpredictable, and threatening. Babylonian creation myths portrayed gods battling chaotic sea monsters (Tiamat). Greek mythology featured Poseidon's volatile control of waters. For Jewish audiences, God's mastery over seas demonstrated His supremacy (Genesis 1:2, Exodus 14-15, Job 38:8-11, Psalm 89:9, 107:23-32).

Old Testament prophets described Yahweh's power to still storms and waves as proof of His deity. When Jesus exercised identical authority, He implicitly claimed divine identity—a claim His disciples would gradually comprehend. The miracle's eyewitnesses included experienced fishermen who had weathered countless storms. Their astonishment indicates this event transcended natural explanation.

First-century Jewish expectations of Messiah included demonstration of supernatural power, but typically focused on political deliverance and miraculous provision. Jesus' nature miracles expanded messianic understanding, revealing the Messiah as Lord over physical creation itself. This episode occurred during Jesus' Galilean ministry (approximately 28-29 AD), part of His systematic revelation of divine identity through teaching, healing, exorcisms, and nature miracles that built toward Peter's confession at Caesarea Philippi.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Jesus' authority over nature reveal about His identity and power?
  2. How do we reconcile God's sovereignty with our responsibility to pray in crises?
  3. Why does Jesus sometimes calm our storms immediately and other times let them rage?
  4. What parallels exist between physical storms and spiritual/emotional turmoil in our lives?
  5. How should this miracle shape our confidence when praying about seemingly impossible situations?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 24 words
προσελθόντες1 of 24

“they came to him”

G4334

to approach, i.e., (literally) come near, visit, or (figuratively) worship, assent to

δὲ2 of 24

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

διήγειραν3 of 24

“and awoke”

G1326

to wake fully; i.e., arouse (literally or figuratively)

αὐτὸν4 of 24

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

λέγοντες5 of 24

“saying”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

ἐπιστάτα6 of 24

“Master”

G1988

an appointee over, i.e., commander (teacher)

ἐπιστάτα7 of 24

“Master”

G1988

an appointee over, i.e., commander (teacher)

ἀπολλύμεθα8 of 24

“we perish”

G622

to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively

ὁ9 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ10 of 24

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

ἐγερθεὶς11 of 24

“he arose”

G1453

to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from

ἐπετίμησεν12 of 24

“and rebuked”

G2008

to tax upon, i.e., censure or admonish; by implication, forbid

τῷ13 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀνέμῳ14 of 24

“the wind”

G417

wind; (plural) by implication, (the four) quarters (of the earth)

καὶ15 of 24

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τῷ16 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κλύδωνι17 of 24

“the raging”

G2830

a surge of the sea (literally or figuratively)

τοῦ18 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὕδατος·19 of 24

“of the water”

G5204

water (as if rainy) literally or figuratively

καὶ20 of 24

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐπαύσαντο21 of 24

“they ceased”

G3973

to stop (transitively or intransitively), i.e., restrain, quit, desist, come to an end

καὶ22 of 24

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐγένετο23 of 24

“there was”

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

γαλήνη24 of 24

“a calm”

G1055

tranquillity

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 8:24 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 8:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 107:25-29Luke 4:392 Corinthians 1:9-10Psalms 104:6-9Luke 5:5Nahum 1:4

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