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Luke 8:25
ESV He said to them, "Where is your faith?" And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, "Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?"
NIV "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him."
NASB And He said to them, 'Where is your faith?' But they were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, 'Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?'
CSB He said to them, "Where is your faith?" They were fearful and amazed, asking one another, "Who then is this? He commands even the winds and the waves, and they obey him!"
NLT Then he asked them, 'Where is your faith?' The disciples were terrified and amazed. 'Who is this man?' they asked each other. 'When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!'
KJV 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.
NKJV But He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, “Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!”

What does Luke 8:25 mean?

With a simple rebuke, Jesus stilled a fierce storm on the Sea of Galilee. He now turns to the disciples who had reacted out of fear and asks them about their faith. Mark's account has, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?" (Mark 4:40). Matthew puts the question prior to Jesus rebuking the storm: "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" (Matthew 8:26).

This question ties to the recently-recorded parable of the sower (Luke 8:4–8). What kind of faith do the disciples have? In this moment, it appears to be that of the soil with thorns. They believe until they are beset by the "cares…of life" (Luke 8:14). Jesus exhorts them to have the faith of the good soil that takes in what Jesus says and does and allows what they learn to change their hearts. Instead, they react in fear as if Jesus' power is unknown to them.

Luke 8 gives a series of parables and practical examples of different types of faith under different circumstances. The disciples have seen Jesus heal sickness and injuries and expel demons, but control over the sea is on another level. The sea represents chaos and all that mankind cannot control. Only God can take formless water and bring it to order (Genesis 1:1–10). Such control over water has not been seen since the parting of the Red Sea or, to a lesser extent, the parting of the Jordan (Exodus 14; Joshua 3:14–17). Jesus didn't even pray and ask for God's power.

It's reasonable for the disciples to respond to this level of power by rethinking who Jesus truly is. As their understanding of Jesus grows, their faith must, also. Although their fear shows a lack of faith, their question is encouraging. Like the fertile soil, they are contemplating and asking questions, not merely walking away. Before long, Peter will be able to name their Teacher: "The Christ of God" (Luke 9:20).

But naming Jesus as the Messiah only goes so far. Only God can control the sea with a mere word.
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