Keraia
Mark 4

Mark 4:38

Jesus Calms the Storm · Mark 4:35–41
Read Mark 4

Translations

Modern
But Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him and said, “Teacher, don’t You care that we are perishing?”
Traditional
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?
Literal
And He was in the stern on the cushion, sleeping. And they awaken Him and say to Him, “Teacher, is it no concern to You that we are perishing?”
Latin
Et erat ipse in puppi super cervical dormiens: et excitant eum, et dicunt illi: Magister, non ad te pertinet, quia perimus?

Original

Greek
English
But Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him and said, “Teacher, don’t You care that we are perishing?”

Notes

Mark 4:38

Jesus was likely asleep at the back of the boat, using a sandbag as a pillow. In 1986, archaeologists found a boat from the time of Jesus in the mud near the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee. It is 8 meters long (26.5 feet), 2.2 meters wide (7.5 feet), and 1.37 meters deep (4.5 feet). It has a raised stern. It could hold up to 15 people.

Mark 4:35–41

  • This passage focuses on the greatness of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The authority of Jesus over the forces of nature showed that he is divine (truly God).

  • the other side: The eastern side of the Sea of Galilee was the region of the Gerasenes (5:1).

  • The presence of other boats following him shows how popular Jesus had become.

Mark 4:35–5:43

The three miracle stories in this section are connected by:

  • a shared location (the Sea of Galilee),

  • the presence of the disciples,

  • the use of a boat, and

  • a common theme, "Who is this" (4:41).

Theme notes and profiles

The Son of God

Events

Parallels

Psalm 107:1–43 Matthew 8:23–27 Luke 8:22–25

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Jesus Christ Kingdom of God, Kingdom of Heaven Mark, Gospel of Miracle Sea of Galilee

Topics

Cowardice: During the Storm at Sea Doubting: General Scriptures Concerning Faith: Trial of in the Tempest at Sea Galilee: Sea (Lake) of Galilee: Miracles of Jesus On Jesus, the Christ: Crosses Lake Galilee and Quiets the Squall Jesus, the Christ: Miracles of Quiets the Squall on Lake Galilee Miracles of Jesus, in Chronological Order: Stills the Storm Pillow: A Support for the Head: Jesus Sleeps Upon Sea: Lake Galilee Calmed by Jesus Ships: Endangered by Storms Ships: The Hinder Part of, Occupied by the Passengers Sleep of Jesus The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Sleeping Trouble: During the Squall, when Jesus Was Asleep in the Boat Unbelief: Disciples