Mark 4:35-41 - Who is Jesus? Will you trust him?
4:35On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. 37A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. 38But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. 40He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
Who is Jesus? This is first and foremost a text about the Messiahship of Jesus. There is rich history in the Old Testament of God’s power over the chaos of storms and nature. In Psalm 107:29, God calms the sea. Jesus’ disciples would have remembered this and wanted their beloved rabbi to pray for them and ask for God to intervene in their time of danger. Jesus, however, does not ask for divine protection. He exhibits divine power directly. This was more startling by far than the healings and exorcisms that had marked his ministry to that point. It is at heart a revelation story. Jesus is more than a great rabbi. He is something entirely new.
Word Study
Vs. 35 – On that day – This refers to the day of the previous teaching. In Vs. 1 Jesus begins his teaching in a boat by the sea. They are still there on the Sea of Galilee. The word for sea and lake are the same here. The Sea of Galilee is actually a large fresh water lake. It was notorious for sudden wild storms.
Evening – They are at the end of a long hard day.
Other side – They are trying to get away from the crowds for a little while.
Vs. 36 – just as he was – This means still in his teaching boat.
Vs. 37 – great – this is the same word translated “dead” in verse 39. It means something like absolute or the ultimate.
Windstorm – literally, “a whirlwind”. This has overtones of God’s encounter with Job (Job 38:1) out of the whirlwind.
Vs. 38 – stern – a raised area of a larger boat, either in the seat usually occupied by the steersman or under the afterdeck. This was a protected area.
Asleep – This word reflects Jesus’ confidence in divine providence.
Woke him – They probably wanted him to pray for them. See above. There is precedent for God calming the seas in the Psalms (107:29)
Vs. 39 – rebuked – This is a strong word. It is not a simple reprimand. It is a word with the power to stop the action. This word is like those used in exorcisms. It is an exhibition of divine power.
Be still! – Literally “Be muzzled”.
Dead – see above, Vs. 37
Vs. 40 – Have you still no faith? – I would translate “Are you still without faith in spite of everything?”
Faith – this means 1) recognition of Jesus as Christ and 2) trust in him for life
Questions for Discussion
- This text shows Jesus attacking the powers of chaos that threaten to engulf his disciples. What are the powers that can threaten to engulf Jesus’ disciples today? What are some of the situations that can seem to almost swamp you?
- This is a text that declares that God is involved in human life. How have you experienced that? What are some examples of times you have wondered if that is true?
- Jesus’ disciples have learned a lot about God, but they still have trouble trusting in a crisis situation. What are the situations in which you find it most difficult to trust God?
- The disciples think that Jesus does not care about them because he is not upset. How do you think that Jesus displays his care for you?