35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. 37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? (Mark 4:35-41 KJV)
Jesus Calms a Storm
This miracle which Christ performed for the relief of his disciples in calming the storm is recorded earlier (Matthew 8:23), but it is described here in more detail. It was the same day he had preached from a boat, when evening came (Mark 4:35). After laboring in the word all day, instead of resting, he exposed himself to more work, teaching us not to expect constant rest until we reach heaven. The end of one toil may be the beginning of another. The boat Christ used as his pulpit was under his special protection, and though it was in danger, it could not sink. Whatever is used for Christ, he will take special care of.
He himself proposed setting sail at night, saying, “Let us go over to the other side” (Mark 4:35), because he had work to do there, as the next chapter shows. Christ went about doing good, and no obstacle could stop him. We should be just as diligent in serving him and doing God’s will in our generation.
They did not sail until they had sent the crowd away, meaning they had given each person what they came for. Christ sent no one away feeling they had come in vain. Or perhaps they sent them away with a blessing; Christ came not only to pronounce blessings but to give them.
They took him just as he was, still in the same clothes he wore while preaching, without an extra cloak to keep him warm at sea. This isn’t to say we should be careless about our health, but we should not be overly concerned about bodily comfort.
The storm was so strong that the boat was filling with water (Mark 4:37), not from a leak but likely also from the rain. The Greek word used here suggests a violent storm with wind and rain. Since the boat was small, the waves beat into it so much that it was nearly swamped. It’s not unusual for the ship in which Christ and his disciples—his name and gospel—are carried to face great danger.
Other small boats were with him, which likely shared in the storm. These probably carried those who wanted to follow Christ for the benefit of his teaching and miracles. While the crowd stayed behind, some were willing to venture across the water with him. True followers of Christ go wherever he leads. Those who hope to share in Christ’s blessings must also be willing to share in his hardships. It is safe to venture into storms with Christ.
Christ was asleep during the storm, in the stern of the boat, the pilot’s place. He lay at the helm, suggesting that, as George Herbert put it:
When winds and waves assault my keel,
He doth preserve it, he doth steer,
Even when the boat seems most to reel.
Storms are the triumph of his art;
Though he may close his eyes, yet not his heart.
He had a pillow—likely a rough one found in a fishing boat. He slept to test his disciples’ faith and to stir them to pray. Their faith was weak, but their prayers were strong. Sometimes, when the church is in trouble, Christ may seem to be asleep, unconcerned with his people’s suffering or their prayers. But even when he delays, he does not truly delay (Habakkuk 2:3), and when he sleeps, he does not truly sleep. The keeper of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps (Psalm 121:3–4); he slept, but his heart was awake (Song of Songs 5:2; cf. Isaiah 45:15).
The disciples took comfort in his presence and thought the best thing they could do was appeal to him through prayer. Their confidence was in this: they had their Master with them. A ship with Christ in it may be tossed but cannot sink. Just as the burning bush was not consumed because God was in it, so the ship was safe with Christ on board. Caesar once encouraged a ship’s captain by saying, “You carry Caesar and Caesar’s fortune.”
The disciples awoke Christ. If the situation had not been urgent, they wouldn’t have disturbed him (Song of Songs 2:7), but they knew he would understand. When Christ seems to sleep in a storm, he is awakened by the prayers of his people. When we don’t know what to do, our eyes must be on him (2 Chronicles 20:12). We may be at our wits’ end but not at our faith’s end, as long as we have such a Savior.
Their plea to Christ was intense: “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re perishing?” (Mark 4:38). This sounds more like a rebuke than a plea. Their fear was so great they didn’t know what they were saying. But it’s a mistake to think Christ is careless about his people in distress. He is not willing that any should perish—especially not one of his little ones (Matthew 18:14).
Christ’s command to the storm is recorded here but not in Matthew: “Peace, be still” (Mark 4:39)—literally, “Be silent, be muzzled.” Let the wind stop roaring, and let the sea calm down. He silences the noise of the sea and its waves (Psalm 65:7; 93:3–4). The noise is threatening and frightening. Let there be no more of it.
This is, first, a command to us. When our hearts are troubled like a stormy sea (Isaiah 57:20), and our emotions are unruly, we should imagine Christ saying, “Be silent. Be still.” Don’t think in confusion or speak rashly—just be calm.
Second, it is a word of comfort. No matter how loud or violent the storm of trouble may be, Jesus can calm it with a single word. When we face conflict outside and fear within, Christ can speak peace into our hearts. If he says, “Peace, be still,” there will be a great calm immediately. Commanding the sea is God’s prerogative (Jeremiah 31:35), and by doing so, Christ shows himself to be God. The one who made the sea can quiet it.
The rebuke Christ gave them for their fear is more direct than in Matthew. There it is, “Why are you fearful?” (Matthew 8:26); here it is, “Why are you so fearful?” (Mark 4:40). Some fear may be natural, but not to this degree. Matthew records, “O you of little faith”; Mark says, “How is it that you have no faith?” This doesn’t mean they had no faith at all—they believed Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God—but in that moment, their fear overwhelmed their faith. It was missing in action when they needed it most.
“Why is it,” Christ seems to ask, “that in this situation you think I would not come to your aid?” Anyone who doubts whether Christ cares if his people perish should question their faith, and Christ rightly rebukes such a thought.
Finally, the effect of this miracle on the disciples is described differently here. In Matthew, “The men marveled” (Matthew 8:27); here, “They were terrified” (Mark 4:41). The original says, “They feared a great fear.” Now their fear was shaped by faith. Before, they feared the storm because they lacked proper reverence for Christ. Now, seeing his power, they feared him more and the sea less.
They feared that they had offended Christ with their lack of faith and sought to honor him. They had feared the power and wrath of the Creator in the storm; now they feared the power and grace of the Redeemer in the calm. It was a reverent fear, filled with awe and gratitude, like that of Jonah’s sailors who, after the sea was calmed, feared the Lord greatly and offered a sacrifice (Jonah 1:16). They honored Christ, saying, “What kind of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:41). Surely he is more than a man.