Mark 4:35-41

4:35 That day [see 4:1; the full day on which Jesus shared many parables from a boat pushed out from the shore a short distance] when evening came, he said [without giving any reason why] to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other [eastern] side [population of this region was largely Gentile; see 5:20 re: Decapolis].“

4:36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was [presumably without returning to shore before departing to the other side of the lake], in the boat. There were also other boats [occupants of these boats had probably come round the boat in which Jesus was, to listen to Him; perhaps they turned back when the weather got rough] with him.

4:37 A furious squall [the storm would become part of that day’s curriculum] came up, and the waves broke over the boat [speaks of the intensity of the storm], so that it was nearly swamped.

Note: “Many people have the idea that storms come to their lives only when they have disobeyed God, but this is not always the case … [unlike Jonah] the disciples got into a storm because of their obedience to the Lord.” (W.W. Wiersbe, Be Diligent, p. 46)

4:38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping [in contrast to the anxious crew; Jesus was weary after a full day of teaching; humanity of Jesus (see Heb. 4:15); we can sleep when we trust God to take care of us (see Ps. 4:8); only mention in the Gospels of Jesus sleeping] on a cushion. The disciples [probably weary themselves, were desperate and fearful] woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown [the disciples asked Him accusingly; they were baffled by His calmness]?”

Note: Have you ever felt that Jesus was unaware or unconcerned about your trials?

4:39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said [only Mark records the words Jesus used] to the waves, “Quiet [see 1:25]! Be still [and remain so]!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm [sometimes He calms the storm, and other times He calms the hearts of His children].

4:40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid [cowardly, timid]? Do you still have no faith?”

4:41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey [to listen to] him!”