Matthew 8:27

KJV

But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} the men {G444} marvelled {G2296}, saying {G3004}, What manner of man {G4217} is {G2076} this {G3778}, that {G3754} even {G2532} the winds {G417} and {G2532} the sea {G2281} obey {G5219} him {G846}!

Complete Jewish Bible

The men were astounded. They asked, "What kind of man is this, that even the winds and sea obey him?"

Berean Standard Bible

The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey Him!”

American Standard Version

And the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 8:27 captures the profound astonishment of Jesus' disciples after He miraculously calms a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee. Their question, "What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!", reveals their dawning realization that Jesus possesses an authority far beyond that of any human, prophet, or teacher, pointing directly to His divine nature and sovereign power over creation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes the narrative of Jesus calming the storm, which immediately follows a series of healing miracles (Matthew 8:1-17) and teachings on discipleship (Matthew 8:18-22). Matthew strategically places this demonstration of Jesus' authority over nature after His authority over disease and demons, building a cumulative picture of His unparalleled power. The disciples' fear in the storm and their subsequent awe at Jesus' command over the elements serve as a pivotal moment, shifting their understanding from Jesus as a powerful healer to a figure with divine dominion. This event sets the stage for further revelations of Jesus' identity, such as the exorcism of the Gerasene demoniacs in the subsequent passage, where even demons recognize His authority (Matthew 8:28-34).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Sea of Galilee, a freshwater lake approximately 13 miles long and 8 miles wide, is notorious for sudden, violent storms. Nestled in a deep basin surrounded by hills, cold air currents can funnel down the ravines, colliding with warmer air over the lake to create tempestuous conditions with little warning. For the disciples, many of whom were experienced fishermen, such a storm was a familiar, yet terrifying, occupational hazard. Their fear was not irrational, but born of practical experience. In the ancient world, control over the elements was exclusively attributed to God (e.g., [Psalm 89:9](/psalms/89-9 "Psalm 89:9 - God Rules the Sea") or [Psalm 107:29](/psalms/107-29 "God Stills the Storm")). Therefore, Jesus' immediate and effortless command over the wind and sea would have been an utterly unprecedented and shocking display of divine power, challenging all their existing categories for understanding human or prophetic authority.
* **Key Themes:** This passage powerfully underscores several key themes within Matthew's Gospel. Firstly, it highlights Jesus' **Divine Authority and Sovereignty**, demonstrating His absolute dominion not only over sickness and evil spirits, but also over the very forces of nature. This points to His identity as God incarnate, the Creator who sustains all things (compare [Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16-17 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ as Creator and Sustainer")). Secondly, it emphasizes the **Developing Understanding of Jesus' Identity** among His disciples. While they had witnessed His miracles, this event pushed them to a new level of questioning and awe, forcing them to grapple with the profound implications of His power. Their "marvelling" and searching question, "What manner of man is this?", signify a critical turning point in their discipleship, moving them closer to the confession of Peter in [Matthew 16:16](/matthew/16-16 "Matthew 16:16 - Peter's Confession of Christ"). Lastly, the narrative subtly introduces the theme of **Faith versus Fear**, as Jesus rebukes the disciples for their lack of faith before calming the storm (Matthew 8:26), contrasting their terror with His serene authority and inviting them to trust in His omnipotence even amidst life's most terrifying "storms."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **marvelled (Greek, _thaumázō'_):** From G2296, meaning "to wonder; by implication, to admire." This word conveys a sense of profound astonishment, awe, and even bewilderment. The disciples were not merely surprised; they were utterly overwhelmed by what they had witnessed, suggesting an encounter that defied their understanding of natural laws and human capabilities.
* **manner of man (Greek, _potapós ánthrōpos'_):** A combination of G4217 ("whatever, i.e., of what possible sort") and G444 ("a human being"). The phrase "potapós houtos estin" (what manner of man is this) is a deeply inquisitive and awe-filled question. It's not a simple inquiry about character, but a profound questioning of Jesus' very nature, origin, and category of being. It implies, "What kind of unique, unprecedented being is this?" or "From what realm does He derive such power?"
* **obey (Greek, _hypakoúō'_):** From G5219, meaning "to hear under (as a subordinate), i.e., to listen attentively; by implication, to heed or conform to a command or authority." This word is crucial as it highlights the immediate and absolute submission of the natural elements to Jesus' direct command, underscoring His sovereign authority. The winds and sea did not merely cease by coincidence; they "obeyed" Him as a servant obeys a master.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But the men marvelled, saying":** This phrase marks a significant shift from the disciples' previous fear to an overwhelming sense of awe and wonder. The "men" primarily refers to the disciples, who, having just witnessed Jesus' effortless command over the tempest, are now confronted with a reality that shatters their preconceived notions of who He is. Their "marvelling" (G2296, _thaumázō_) indicates a profound astonishment that goes beyond simple surprise, bordering on bewilderment at such an unprecedented display of power.
* **"What manner of man is this":** This is the core question, revealing the disciples' deep struggle to categorize Jesus. The Greek phrase (G4217 _potapós_ G3778 _hoûtos_ G2076 _estí_) is not a casual inquiry but expresses profound wonder and a search for understanding regarding His unique identity and origin. They recognize that His power transcends that of any prophet or human being they have ever known, suggesting a divine, rather than merely human, nature.
* **"that even the winds and the sea obey him!":** This exclamation highlights the specific, unprecedented nature of Jesus' power. The "even" (G2532 _kaí_) emphasizes the astonishing fact that inanimate, chaotic forces of nature—elements traditionally seen as uncontrollable except by God Himself—submit instantly to Jesus' voice. The word "obey" (G5219 _hypakoúō_) implies a direct, authoritative command and a willing, immediate submission, underscoring Jesus' absolute sovereignty over creation. This is the definitive proof that compels their profound question about His identity.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful **Literary Devices**. The most prominent is **Rhetorical Question**, "What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!" This question is not posed to elicit an answer from Jesus, but rather to express the disciples' profound awe, bewilderment, and the dawning realization of Jesus' unique, divine identity. It serves to underscore the extraordinary nature of the miracle and to invite the reader into the disciples' astonishment. There is also strong **Hyperbole** in the disciples' reaction, as their "marvelling" is an intense, almost exaggerated, response to an event that truly defies all human experience and expectation. Finally, the verse uses **Contrast** by juxtaposing the extreme chaos and danger of the storm with the immediate, effortless calm brought about by Jesus' simple command, thereby amplifying the magnitude of His power and the depth of the disciples' wonder.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This pivotal moment in Matthew’s Gospel profoundly underscores Jesus' divine authority and His unique identity as the Son of God. The disciples' question, born of astonishment, implicitly acknowledges that only God possesses such absolute dominion over the natural world. This miracle serves as a powerful theological statement: Jesus is not merely a prophet or a wise teacher, but the very Creator who holds all things in His hands. It challenges both the disciples and the reader to move beyond a superficial understanding of Jesus and to recognize Him as the sovereign Lord, worthy of ultimate trust and worship. His power over the elements demonstrates His capacity to bring order out of chaos, peace out of turmoil, and to exercise ultimate control over all circumstances.

* [Job 38:8-11](/job/38-8-11 "Job 38:8-11 - God's Control Over the Sea")
* [Psalm 65:7](/psalms/65-7 "Psalm 65:7 - God Stills the Tumult of the Seas")
* [Psalm 89:9](/psalms/89-9 "Psalm 89:9 - God Rules the Raging Sea")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The disciples' awe-filled question in Matthew 8:27 invites us to pause and reflect on the true identity and power of Jesus in our own lives. Just as they faced a literal storm that threatened to overwhelm them, we too encounter "storms" of various kinds—financial crises, health challenges, relational conflicts, or spiritual doubts—that can leave us feeling fearful and helpless. This passage reminds us that the same Jesus who commanded the winds and the sea with a single word is still sovereign over every circumstance we face. His power is not diminished, and His authority extends over every area of our lives, both seen and unseen. We are called to cultivate a faith that looks beyond the immediate threat and rests in His ultimate control, allowing His peace to calm the anxieties within us. This requires a conscious choice to shift our focus from the magnitude of our problems to the immensity of His power, fostering a deeper trust and a profound sense of worship for the One who is truly Lord over all.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "storms" are currently raging in your life, and how might this passage encourage you to bring them before Jesus?**
* **How does Jesus' authority over nature deepen your understanding of His identity and your trust in Him?**
* **In what ways can you cultivate a greater sense of awe and worship for Jesus in your daily life, even amidst challenges?**
* **What does it mean for you personally that "even the winds and the sea obey him," and how does this truth impact your faith?**

### FAQ
**Why were the disciples so astonished by Jesus calming the storm, given His other miracles?**

Answer: The disciples had witnessed Jesus heal the sick, cast out demons, and teach with unparalleled authority. However, His command over the elements—the winds and the sea—was a distinct category of miracle. In the ancient world, control over nature was universally understood as an attribute belonging solely to God. Prophets might perform miracles through God's delegated power, but none had ever commanded the very forces of creation with such immediate and inherent authority. This event pushed the disciples beyond their existing frameworks for understanding human or prophetic power, forcing them to grapple with the profound implications of Jesus' divine identity. It was one thing to heal a person; it was another entirely to speak to the chaotic, untamable forces of nature and have them instantly obey, as only the Creator could do (compare [Psalm 107:29](/psalms/107-29 "Psalm 107:29 - God Stills the Storm")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The disciples' astonished question in [Matthew 8:27](/matthew/8-27 "Matthew 8:27 - Disciples Marvel at Jesus' Authority") serves as a profound foreshadowing of Jesus' ultimate identity as the Christ, the Son of God, who possesses all authority in heaven and on earth. His calming of the storm is not merely a display of power, but a revelation of His divine nature, echoing the Old Testament descriptions of Yahweh as the one who rules the raging sea (e.g., [Psalm 89:9](/psalms/89-9 "Psalm 89:9 - God Rules the Raging Sea")). This miracle points forward to the New Testament's full revelation of Jesus as the incarnate Word, through whom all things were created and by whom all things are sustained ([John 1:3](/john/1-3 "John 1:3 - All Things Created Through Him"); [Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16-17 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ as Creator and Sustainer")). The One who commanded the winds and the sea is the same One who would later command death itself, rising from the grave as the victor over sin and death ([Romans 6:9-10](/romans/6-9-10 "Romans 6:9-10 - Christ's Resurrection and Dominion")). His power to bring peace to the storm-tossed sea ultimately points to His ability to bring spiritual peace to the storm-tossed human heart, offering rest to the weary and burdened ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). Thus, the awe of the disciples at His dominion over creation finds its ultimate fulfillment in the worship of Him as Lord over all, the King of kings and Lord of lords ([Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Mark 7:37

And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.

Mark 1:27

And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine [is] this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

Mark 6:51

And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.

Matthew 15:31

Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.

Matthew 14:33

Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.