King James Version

What Does Luke 8:25 Mean?

Luke 8:25 in the King James Version says “And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another , What manner of man i... — study this verse from Luke chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Luke 8:25 · KJV


Context

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.

27

And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
After Jesus calms the storm, He asks: 'Where is your faith?' The disciples had called on Jesus ('Master, master, we perish,' v. 24), showing some faith, but their panic revealed weak faith. Jesus' question challenges them—they had the Master of wind and waves in their boat; what did they have to fear? True faith trusts God's presence and power even in terrifying circumstances. The disciples' fear despite Jesus' presence shows the common struggle between intellectual knowledge (Jesus is with us) and experiential trust (therefore we're safe). Faith grows through testing.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Sea of Galilee, surrounded by hills, experiences sudden, violent storms as cold air rushes down from heights. Experienced fishermen (Peter, James, John) fearing a storm indicates genuine danger—this wasn't novice panic. Jesus' sleeping during the storm (v. 23) demonstrated perfect peace and trust in the Father. His calming the storm with a word ('Peace, be still,' Mark 4:39) demonstrated divine authority over nature—only God controls wind and waves (Psalm 107:23-30). The disciples' question 'What manner of man is this? for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him' (v. 25) shows dawning awareness of Jesus' divine identity.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Jesus' question 'Where is your faith?' teach about trusting God's presence and power even in frightening circumstances?
  2. How does Jesus' authority over nature reveal His divine identity and build faith?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 29 words
εἶπεν1 of 29

he said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

δὲ2 of 29

And

G1161

but, and, etc

αὐτῷ3 of 29

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

Ποῦ4 of 29

Where

G4226

as adverb of place; at (by implication, to) what locality

ἐστιν5 of 29

is

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

6 of 29
G3588

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

πίστις7 of 29

faith

G4102

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

ὑμῶν8 of 29

your

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

φοβηθέντες9 of 29

they being afraid

G5399

to frighten, i.e., (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e., revere

δὲ10 of 29

And

G1161

but, and, etc

ἐθαύμασαν11 of 29

wondered

G2296

to wonder; by implication, to admire

λέγοντες12 of 29

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

πρὸς13 of 29

one to another

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

ἀλλήλους14 of 29
G240

one another

Τίς15 of 29

What manner of man

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

ἄρα16 of 29
G686

a particle denoting an inference more or less decisive (as follows)

οὗτός17 of 29

this

G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

ἐστιν18 of 29

is

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

ὅτι19 of 29

! for

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

καὶ20 of 29

and

G2532

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

τοῖς21 of 29
G3588

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

ἀνέμοις22 of 29

the winds

G417

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

ἐπιτάσσει23 of 29

he commandeth

G2004

to arrange upon, i.e., order

καὶ24 of 29

and

G2532

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

τῷ25 of 29
G3588

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

ὕδατι26 of 29

water

G5204

water (as if rainy) literally or figuratively

καὶ27 of 29

and

G2532

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

ὑπακούουσιν28 of 29

they obey

G5219

to hear under (as a subordinate), i.e., to listen attentively; by implication, to heed or conform to a command or authority

αὐτῷ29 of 29

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


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 8:25 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 8:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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