Mark 4:35-41 tells the story of Jesus calming a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee while his disciples panic in the boat. The passage shows that Jesus has authority over nature, and it asks the disciples, and readers, why fear so often wins out over trust in him.
The scene follows a day of teaching in parables by the lake. As evening falls, Jesus proposes a late crossing, and the small group sets out by boat, with other vessels traveling alongside.
35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let’s go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the multitude, they took him with them, even as he was, in the boat. Other small boats were also with him. 37 A big wind storm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so much that the boat was already filled. 38 He himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion, and they woke him up, and told him, “Teacher, don’t you care that we are dying?” 39 He awoke, and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? How is it that you have no faith?” 41 They were greatly afraid, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
Mark 4:35-41 (WEB)
Mark 4:35-41 Summary
Jesus suggests crossing to the far shore at nightfall, and the disciples take him along in the boat just as he is. Partway across, a fierce squall batters the boat until it begins to fill with water. Jesus is asleep in the stern, and the frightened disciples wake him with an accusation: they are perishing, and he does not seem to care.
Jesus stands, speaks to the wind and the sea as if they were disobedient servants, and tells them to be still. The storm drops away into complete calm. He then turns to his followers and asks why they are so afraid and why they still lack faith. The story ends not with the storm but with a stunned question among the disciples about who this man could be.
Context of Mark 4:35-41
The Gospel of Mark is traditionally attributed to John Mark, a companion of Peter, and it was probably written for a Christian community outside Palestine, likely in the late first century. Mark moves quickly from one scene to the next, and he portrays Jesus as the powerful Son of God whose identity is often misunderstood even by those closest to him.
The verses just before this passage present a series of parables about the kingdom of God, including the mustard seed that grows into a large plant. Mark notes that Jesus explained these teachings privately to his disciples. Our passage then shows the teaching made visible: the one who speaks of God’s kingdom also commands the chaos of creation.
Mark 4:35-41 Verse by Verse
Psalm 107:28-29
28 Then they cry to the LORD in their trouble, and he brings them out of their distress. 29 He makes the storm a calm, so that its waves are still.
(WEB)
This psalm describes sailors crying out to the Lord in a storm, and the Lord calming the sea. It sits close to the Gospel scene and shows that Israel’s prayers in trouble were met by a God who stills the waters.
Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, and flame will not scorch you.
(WEB)
Isaiah speaks of God’s presence when waters and fire threaten. The promise that God will be with his people in the midst of danger offers a helpful companion to the disciples’ experience in the boat.
A Prayer Based on Mark 4:35-41
Lord Jesus, you were at peace in the stern of that boat while the waves were breaking over us in our minds and hearts. When the winds rise in my life, I confess that fear often comes faster than faith. Help me to bring my worries to you honestly, the way your disciples did, without hiding what I feel. Speak your peace into the storms I face, and quiet the noise that threatens to drown out your voice. Teach me to trust you more fully each day, even when I cannot see the shore. Amen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Jesus sleep during the storm?
Mark does not explain the reason directly, but the detail shows Jesus’ calm and his complete rest in the midst of danger. It contrasts sharply with the panic of the disciples and highlights his authority over the situation.
Was the disciples’ fear wrong?
The text does not condemn their fear of a real and deadly storm. Jesus rebukes them for their lack of faith in his presence and power, which is the deeper concern of the passage.
What does the question “who then is this?” mean?
The disciples recognize that the wind and sea obey Jesus, and they begin to wonder about his identity. Mark uses this question to lead readers toward a fuller understanding of Jesus as the Son of God.