Strong’s Greek 3640 centers on Jesus’ recurring description of His own disciples as having “little faith.” Every occurrence falls within the Synoptic Gospel accounts of Jesus’ Galilean ministry, and every setting highlights a moment when external circumstances threaten to eclipse the disciples’ confidence in the character and power of God revealed through His Son. The term therefore functions less as a static label and more as an urgent summons to fuller trust.

Survey of Gospel Occurrences

1. Matthew 6:30 – Spoken in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus contrasts fleeting grass with the Father’s faithful provision: “will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” The issue is daily anxiety about life’s necessities.
2. Matthew 8:26 – In a sudden storm on the Sea of Galilee, “He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?’ Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was perfectly calm.” Doubt surfaces in the face of physical danger.
3. Matthew 14:31 – After Peter falters while walking on the water, “Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of him. ‘You of little faith,’ He said, ‘why did you doubt?’ ” Fear interrupts a momentary triumph of trust.
4. Matthew 16:8 – The disciples misunderstand Jesus’ warning about the leaven of the Pharisees, thinking of literal bread. “Aware of their discussion, Jesus said, ‘You of little faith, why are you debating among yourselves that you have no bread?’ ” Spiritual dullness replaces attentiveness to His teaching.
5. Matthew 17:20 – Following their failure to cast out a demon, Jesus explains, “Because of your little faith. For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed…nothing will be impossible for you.” Here “little faith” contrasts with persevering, prayerful dependence.
6. Luke 12:28 – Mirroring Matthew 6, Jesus addresses crowds: “If God so clothes the grass…how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith!” Economic insecurity tempts the hearers to doubt divine care.

Pattern and Progression

The order in Matthew shows escalation: basic provision (Matthew 6), natural peril (8), supernatural phenomena (14), doctrinal perception (16), and direct ministry power (17). The repeated correction creates a pedagogical rhythm: revelation, testing, rebuke, and deeper insight. Luke’s single use broadens the call beyond the Twelve to every believer tempted by worry.

Relationship to Other Faith Vocabulary

Whereas “faith” (πίστις) throughout the New Testament denotes wholehearted reliance on God, ὀλιγόπιστος exposes a divided heart—one that has already tasted divine authority yet allows visible threats or limited reasoning to overshadow previous evidence. It is not the absence of belief (ἀπιστία) but its stunted growth. Jesus’ response therefore is not condemnation but invitation: He consistently couples the rebuke with a fresh demonstration of power or teaching that re-grounds the disciples in God’s faithfulness.

Christological Emphasis

Each scene showcases Jesus as the object and anchor of faith. The calming of the storm reveals His sovereignty over creation; walking on water and rescuing Peter unveils His lordship over chaos; feeding multitudes and warning against Pharisaic leaven underscores His identity as the true Bread from Heaven. Thus “little faith” is inseparable from inadequate perception of who Jesus is.

Theological Implications

1. Divine Provision – Anxiety contradicts the Father’s proven care and the believer’s covenant privileges.
2. Sovereignty over Nature – Fear of natural forces reveals incomplete grasp of Christ’s divinity.
3. Spiritual Discernment – Misinterpretation of Jesus’ words stems from failing to integrate prior revelation with present instruction.
4. Ministry Effectiveness – Spiritual authority is exercised not by technique but by trusting intimacy with God expressed in prayer and fasting (context of Matthew 17:21 in the textual tradition).

Pastoral Application

Preachers and teachers may employ these passages to expose contemporary parallels: economic uncertainty, health crises, doctrinal confusion, and ministry fatigue. The remedy is not self-generated optimism but renewed contemplation of Christ’s person and promises. Discipleship training should therefore weave together exposition of past faithfulness, practice of dependent prayer, and engagement in obedience that stretches trust.

Historical Reception

Early Christian writers quickly seized on these episodes to challenge timidity. Chrysostom, commenting on Matthew 8, exhorted believers to “abate the swelling waves of passion” through faith in the One who commands the sea. Medieval monastic literature often paired Matthew 6 and Luke 12 to encourage uncluttered reliance on God. Reformers cited Matthew 17:20 to affirm that effective ministry springs from faith anchored in the gospel, not ecclesiastical power.

Concluding Synthesis

Strong’s Greek 3640 encapsulates the disciples’ recurring struggle between the revelation they had received and the pressures confronting them. Its six appearances chart the path from fledgling trust to maturing, mountain-moving confidence. For every generation of believers, the term remains a mirror and a spur—exposing wavering hearts while directing them back to the all-sufficient Lord who repeatedly asks, “Why did you doubt?”