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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Mark 4:35 - 4:41
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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mar_4:35-41
35On that day, when evening came, He said to them, "Let us go over to the other side." 36Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him. 37And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. 38Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" 39And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Hush, be still." And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. 40And He said to them, "Why are you afraid? How is it that you have no faith?" 41They became very much afraid and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?"
Mar_4:35-41 This begins an extended context of miracles, Mar_4:35 to Mar_8:26. Jesus confirmed His message by showing His power. This specific event is paralleled in Mat_8:18; Mat_8:23-27 and Luk_8:22-25.
Mar_4:36 This verse has several odd features not found in the parallels.
1. What does "just as He was" mean? TEV translates it "the disciples got into the boat in which Jesus was already sitting." This seems to be the best option.
2. What does "and other boats were with Him" refer to? Was the apostolic group in several small boats or did other boats also find themselves in the storm?
These are obviously eye-witness details (i.e., Peter's), but their purpose and implications are uncertain.
Mar_4:37 "And there arose a fierce gale of wind" Sudden violent storms are common on the Sea of Galilee because of the surrounding hills and its being situated below sea level. This must have been a particularly bad storm because even the seasoned fishermen among them became afraid.
Mar_4:38 This event was obviously used to depict Jesus' calm and the disciples' fear of current circumstances. The question about Jesus' care is a universal one. If God is loving and all powerful, why do believers face the threatening trials of life?
▣ perishing" See Special Topic: Apollumi at Mar_3:6.
Mar_4:39 This powerfully demonstrated the power and authority of Jesus—even inanimate forces of nature obey Him.
▣ "Hush, be still" This is a present active imperative followed by a perfect passive imperative. Jesus, as God the Father's agent of creation (cf. Joh_1:3; Joh_1:10; 1Co_8:6; Col_1:16; Heb_1:2), had, and has, power over it (cf. Psa_33:7; Psa_65:2; Psa_147:18).
Mar_4:40 This is a good question for all believers in every situation. Jesus is teaching His disciples by word and deed.
Mar_4:41 This verse clearly displays the theological infancy of the Apostles. The context contrasts several types of unbelief: (1) His family's; (2) the religious leaders'; and (3) the disciples'. Numbers 1, 3 are spiritually growing. Their unbelief is based on ignorance, but number 2 is willful. They are given sign after sign, truth after truth, but because of preexisting biases the religious leaders not only refuse to believe, but attribute Jesus' actions and teachings to Satan's power! This is the unpardonable sin!
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