Lexical Summary galéné: Calm, tranquility Original Word: γαλήνη Strong's Exhaustive Concordance calm. Of uncertain derivation; tranquillity -- calm. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originperhaps akin to gelaó Definition a calm NASB Translation calm (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1055: γαλήνηγαλήνη, γαληνης, ἡ (adjective ὁ, ἡ, γαληνός calm, cheerful), calmness, stillness of the sea, a calm: Matthew 8:26; Mark 4:39; Luke 8:24. (From Homer down.) Topical Lexicon Overview The term describes the sudden, complete stillness of wind-tossed waters when Jesus speaks His sovereign word. It is used exclusively in the Synoptic accounts of the calming of the storm, underscoring the uniqueness of Christ’s authority over creation and His ability to replace chaos with peace. Biblical Occurrences Matthew 8:26; Mark 4:39; Luke 8:24. In each narrative the word appears at the climactic moment when the raging elements obey Jesus and the sea becomes “perfectly calm” (Matthew 8:26). The repetition across three Gospels functions as a threefold witness that the event is both historical and theologically weighty. Historical and Cultural Context First-century Jews and Gentiles alike regarded the sea as a realm of unpredictability and danger. Fishermen on the Sea of Galilee were well acquainted with sudden, violent squalls funneled down from the surrounding hills. Within that setting, the instantaneous stillness would have been far more striking than if the storm had merely tapered off. The eyewitnesses experienced not only a change in weather but a direct display of divine power in real time and space. Theological Significance 1. Revelation of Christ’s Deity: By issuing a verbal command that nature obeys, Jesus acts with the prerogatives attributed to the LORD in the Psalms: “He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed” (Psalm 107:29). Connections with Old Testament Imagery Old Testament writers frequently portray the LORD subduing chaotic waters (Genesis 1:2; Exodus 14:21-22; Psalm 89:9). By bringing immediate stillness, Jesus identifies Himself with the covenant God who masters the deep. The calm becomes a living commentary on prophetic passages such as Isaiah 9:6-7, where the Messiah is called “Prince of Peace.” Ministry and Pastoral Application • Assurance in Trials: Believers encountering life’s storms draw comfort from the fact that the same Lord who calmed Galilee remains present and able to speak peace into any situation (John 14:27). Early Church Reflection Patristic writers such as Augustine saw in the calm a figure of Christ bringing tranquility to the Church amid persecution. The word therefore entered homiletic tradition as a picture of Christ’s ongoing care for His people. Summary Used only three times, the term captures a moment when divine authority breaks into human fear, turning violent disorder into serene order. It invites readers of every generation to trust the One whose voice still brings perfect calm. Forms and Transliterations γαληνη γαλήνη galene galēnē galḗne galḗnēLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 8:26 N-NFSGRK: καὶ ἐγένετο γαλήνη μεγάλη NAS: and it became perfectly calm. KJV: there was a great calm. INT: and there was a calm great Mark 4:39 N-NFS Luke 8:24 N-NFS |