Mark 4:35-41

“And the same day . . .” (v. 35). Accounts of Jesus’ calming the winds and waves of this storm are also recorded in the gospels of Matthew and Luke. Only Mark makes reference to a happening upon the same day. It is apparent from verses 34 and 36 that Jesus had spent the day teaching the multitude that had gathered on the western shore of the sea of Galilee as He spoke from a ship.

“. . . when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over to the other side” (v. 35). The coming of the even meant that the sun had set. The other side was the country of the Gadarenes (see 5:1). The distance would have been between 5 and 7 miles. The decision to sail as darkness fell seems to have been predicated by schedule and wind direction.

Old Testament scriptures reveal that the Messiah would come and that He would do the Father’s will. Jesus came into this world on a mission — He would be made an offering for sin (Isa. 53:10) and He would preach good news to the poor and proclaim liberty to the captives (Isa. 61:1-2). New Testament scripture reveals that God the Father scheduled Christ to shed His precious redeeming blood before the foundation of the world (I Pet. 1:19-21). Jesus’ decision to sail at this specific hour resulted in His rebuking the winds of a great storm. His rebuking the wind was cause for the disciples to realize that Jesus possessed the power of God. It would seem that the Son’s schedule was to reveal Himself to the disciples at this time.

A favorable westward or northwesterly wind necessary to push a vessel across the sea of Galilee during the nighttime hours is seasonal in occurrence. The seasonal wind pattern at the sea of Galilee is from west to east during the winter season (November to February). The text which follows (Mk. 5:11) reveals that forage was sufficient to feed a great herd of swine. Such forage upon the slopes surrounding the sea of Galilee is available at the close of the winter season (late February and early March).

“And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full” (v. 37). The plan to pass over to the other side did not include the storm recorded here. The most violent storms on the sea of Galilee occur between October and May when strong east winds from the Golan Heights blow onto the body of water. The ship was a fishing boat. Fishing boats of that day had low sides with a raised deck in the rear. Jesus was asleep upon the raised deck when the storm hit.

“. . . and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?” (v. 38). It is by and through the Holy Spirit that we receive the understandings which God would have us receive. The title, Master, signifies authority — authority of note, but not the authority of God the Father. The disciples knew Jesus, not as God the Son, but, as one of lesser authority. The manner in which they knew Jesus, however, was about to change.

Jesus arose and said unto the sea, “Peace, be still” and the wind ceased (v. 39). The disciples had asked if Jesus cared that they were about to perish. Jesus responded by commanding the wind and the sea to be still. Jesus showed them that He cared by His action of silencing the wind and the waves.

The wind heard Jesus’ command and obeyed. The wind which blew upon the sea from the Golan Heights did not have ears. As stated earlier, sudden strong east winds from the Golan Heights is a natural occurrence. The cessation of the east wind when a man speaks, however, is not natural. It should not have happened. When things which should not happen, happen, there is a reason. The reason in this case is the same reason why a strong east wind appeared and parted the waters of the Red Sea the instant that Moses lifted up his rod and stretched out his hand (Ex. 14:21). God makes the impossible happen.

“Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?” (v. 40). The second question clarifies the first. In His opening question Jesus is not asking the disciples why they were fearful of the storm. He is asking them to supply the reason for their fear of perishing. Jesus asked, not seeking information. He knew the answer to both questions before asking the first.

Jesus’ questions should have been cause for the disciples to think upon their faith and lack thereof. That did not happen at this time. Verse 41 reveals that they feared exceedingly. Prior to Jesus’ stilling of the waters, the disciples were filled with fear of perishing. Now they feared because they witnessed the wind and the sea obeying Jesus. They asked “What manner of man is this?” The manner of man which the disciples perceived Jesus to be had suddenly changed.

The disciples followed Jesus because they believed Him to be the promised Messiah. They, however, did not know the manner of man of which the Messiah would be. The disciples did not realize that they were following the promised Prophet who would be like unto Moses (see Deut. 18:15). A second fear fell upon the disciples because they now knew the Messiah whom they were following was more than Master. They feared because they witnessed the authority of God in Jesus.

Their first fear (fear of perishing) was cause for Jesus to act (quiet the wind) and cause to cite their lack of faith. Jesus, seemingly, does not respond to the second fear (their fear of the manner of man who is able to direct the wind and waves). In the text which follows, we see faith building. Jesus acted to build up the faith of the disciples by casting out demons numbering in the thousands (5:13).

Jesus’ mission was both to satisfy the sin debt of all who would believe and to build a faith that would grow and justify many (Isa. 53:11). Let us spread the word. God would have all men repent and not perish.