Epiphany · The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
Matthew 8:23-27
Jesus Calms the Storm
February 1, 2026
Overview & Insights
“What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” (Matthew 8:27)
Matthew continues in this passage to emphasize themes of Jesus’ authority—here over sin (9:1–8), the demonic (8:28–34), and nature (8:23–27)—and faith as the appropriate discipleship response to Jesus (9:21–22; cf. 8:26). The call to follow Jesus wholeheartedly is issued in 8:18–22, picking up the call stories of the first four disciples (4:18–22) and anticipating that of Matthew, a tax collector, in 9:9. The story of Jesus’ calming the storm shares a plot connection with 14:22–33, where Jesus (with Peter momentarily) walks on the sea. Jesus’ (messianic) identity and the disciples’ little faith are emphasized in both accounts. The story of Jesus’ claim to forgive sins (9:2, 8) evokes Matthew’s identification of Jesus as the one who “will save his people from their sins” (1:21) and foreshadows Jesus’ death, which will be “for the forgiveness of sins” (26:28).
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Commentary
Matthew 8 Commentary: Healing, Teaching, and Miracles Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik covers the stilling of the storm within Matthew's cycle of authority miracles.
Matthew 8:23 Classic Commentaries Compared BibleHub
Historic commentators set side by side on the disciples' fear and Jesus' rebuke of the sea.
Matthew 8 Commentary Precept Austin
Word studies and cross references on the calming of the storm and Jesus' authority over creation.
Matthew 8 (Word on Fire Bible) Word on Fire · Bishop Barron
Bishop Barron on trusting the One who commands wind and sea rather than living controlled by fear.
Background & Word Study
Matthew 8:23 Greek Interlinear BibleHub
Greek text with parsing for the storm, the great calm, and the disciples' little faith.
Matthew 8:23-27 - Jesus Stills the Storm Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary passage page reading the storm as a scene about discipleship and trust in Jesus.
Book of Matthew Summary (chapters 1-13) BibleProject
Animated overview of the first half of Matthew, where Jesus' authority over nature is displayed.
The Church Fathers
Sermons & Reflections
Questions preachers ask
What does the calming of the storm reveal?
As the boat is swamped and the disciples cry out, Jesus rebukes the wind and sea into a great calm, showing a power over creation that belongs to God alone.
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