35And on that day, when evening had come, he said to them: "Let us cross over to the other side." [4:36] And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. [4:37] And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. [4:38] And he was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" [4:39] And rising, he rebuked the wind and said to the sea: "Peace! Be muzzled!" And the wind died down, and there was a great calm. [4:40] And he said to them: "Why are you cowardly like this? Do you still have no faith?" [4:41] And they were seized with great fear and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"
MRK 4:35-41
Jesus Calms the Storm
In the world it was spoken into
First-century listeners would have understood the Sea of Galilee as a vital, yet unpredictable, resource. Its sudden, violent storms were a known danger to fishermen, whose livelihoods depended on its waters. The disciples' cry, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" reflects a common human fear in the face of overwhelming natural forces, but also a challenge to their teacher's perceived authority or concern. Jesus's subsequent actions, rebuking the wind and commanding the sea to be muzzled , would have resonated with Jewish traditions of divine power over creation, echoing narratives where God controls chaos. His question, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?" would have been heard as a reprimand for their —their faint-heartedness or cowardice—in failing to trust in his presence and power, rather than a simple observation of their fear.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
MRK 4:35
- KJV
- And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
- BSB
- When that evening came, He said to His disciples, “Let us cross to the other side.”
- Koinōnos
- And on that day, when evening had come, he said to them: "Let us cross over to the other side.
MRK 4:36
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- After they had dismissed the crowd, they took Jesus with them, since He was already in the boat. And there were other boats with Him.
- Koinōnos
- And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him.
MRK 4:37
- KJV
- And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
- BSB
- Soon a violent windstorm came up, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was being swamped.
- Koinōnos
- And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling.
MRK 4:38
- KJV
- 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?
- BSB
- But Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him and said, “Teacher, donʼt You care that we are perishing?”
- Koinōnos
- And he was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?
MRK 4:39
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. “Silence!” He commanded. “Be still!” And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm.
- Koinōnos
- And rising, he rebuked the wind and said to the sea: "Peace! Be muzzled!" And the wind died down, and there was a great calm.
MRK 4:40
- KJV
- And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
- BSB
- “Why are you so afraid?” He asked. “Do you still have no faith?”
- Koinōnos
- And he said to them: "Why are you cowardly like this? Do you still have no faith?
MRK 4:41
- KJV
- And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
- BSB
- Overwhelmed with fear, they asked one another, “Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”
- Koinōnos
- And they were seized with great fear and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
MRK 4:37
- a storm:The word translated 'a storm' here refers to a furious, violent hurricane or whirlwind, not just a strong wind or heavy rain. It emphasizes the extreme intensity and destructive power of the weather event.
MRK 4:39
- He rebuked:The word translated 'He rebuked' often implies a strong, authoritative command to silence or restrain, as if correcting an unruly person or force. It's more than just a mild scolding.
MRK 4:40
- fearful:The word translated 'fearful' here describes someone who is cowardly or timid, often in a negative sense, rather than simply experiencing fear. It suggests a lack of courage or resolve.