Jesus' peace (v. 24) contrasts starkly with the disciples' fear (v. 25); they are of little faith (v. 26), just like those who are anxious for tomorrow (6:30) or who doubt Jesus' power to work extraordinary miracles (14:31; 16:8; 17:20). Ability to sleep during trouble was often a sign of faith in God (Ps 3:5; 4:8), and the Greeks also praised philosophers who demonstrated consistency with their teaching by maintaining a serene attitude during a storm (Diog. Laert. 1.86; 2.71; 9.11.68). Just as Jesus demands that we express our love for God by trusting him for material provision (Mt 6:25-34), he demands that we trust him for safety. Our heavenly Father may not always protect us from earthly ills, but he will do with our lives what is best for us (10:29-31). By this point in the narrative the disciples appear without excuse for their unbelief, like Israel in the wilderness; "Jesus expects them to have taken charge of the storm themselves" (Rhoads and Michie 1982:90, 93).