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)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
BURKITT | Mr 4:1-2 | Mr 4:3-9 | Mr 4:10-13 | Mr 4:14-20 | Mr 4:21-25 | Mr 4:26-29 | Mr 4:30-34 | Mr 4v35-41 | KJV Comm
Observe here, 1. Our Saviour and his disciples no sooner put forth to see, but dangers attend and difficulties do accompany them; a tempest arose, and the ship was covered with waves, which Christ himself was in, with his disciples.
Learn hence, That the presence of Christ himself does not exempt his disciples and followers from trouble and danger. Here is a great tempest about the disciples’ ears, though Christ himself was in their company.
Observe, 2. The posture our Saviour was in when this tempest arose: he being wearied with the labours of the day, was laid down upon a pillow to sleep at night, thereby showing himself to be truly and really man, and that as he took upon him human nature, so he assumed the infirmities of our nature also, as weariness and pain, hunger and thirst.
Observe, 3. The disciples’ application made to Christ; they awake him with a sad outcry, Master, carest thou not that we perish? here was faith mixed with human frailty. They believed that he could save them; but being asleep, they concluded he must be awaked before they can be saved by him: whereas, though his human nature was asleep, yet his divine nature neither slumbered nor slept.
Learn hence, That the prevalence of fear in a time of great and imminent danger, though it may argue weakness of faith, yet is no evidence of a total want of faith; in the midst of the disciples’ fears they believed Christ’s power.
Observe, 4. A double rebuke given by our Saviour, first to the winds, next to the fears of his disciples: He rebukes the winds, and instantly they are calm. When the sea was as furious as a madman, Christ with a single word calms it.
Learn hence, That the most raging winds, and outrageous seas, cannot stand before the rebukes of Christ. Christ, as God, lays a law upon the most lawless creatures, even when they seem to act most lawlessly.
Observe further, Christ rebukes his disciples’ fears, Why are ye fearful? No sooner was the storm up, but their fears were up. they forgot that the Lord High Admiral of the Ocean was on board the ship; and were as much overset with their boisterous passion as the vessel was with the tempestuous winds; and accordingly, Christ rebukes the tempest within, before the storm without.
First, he calms their hearts, then he quiets the seas. From this instance of the disciples, we may gather, that great faith in the habit may appear little in act and exercise: the disciples’ faith in forsaking all and following Christ, was great faith; but in this present act their faith was weak, through the prevalency of their fears.
O, the imperfect composition of the best of saints! Faith and fear will take their turns, and act their parts, whilst we are upon the stage of this world; ere long our fear will be vanquished, and our faith swallowed up in vision. Lord, set our souls longing for that joyful hour.