But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus wasn't just napping; he was asleep on a specific cushion, likely the steersman's, indicating his humble role as part of the crew. His deep sleep, far from showing indifference, highlights the disciples' own crisis of faith in thinking He didn't care as the storm raged around them.
But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus had just finished teaching a large crowd, and wanting a break, he directed his disciples to set sail across the Sea of Galilee. As they sailed, a furious storm suddenly broke, tossing their small boat violently and filling it with water. Amidst the chaos and terror, Jesus, utterly exhausted from the day's ministry, slept soundly on a cushion at the stern.
Imagine the scene: a violent storm, waves crashing, the boat tossed like a toy. Yet, Jesus is fast asleep. What does this say about His inner state and our own?
Jesus's sleep in the storm isn't just a detail; it's a profound statement of His absolute peace and trust in the Father's sovereign plan.
Unshakable Calm
While the disciples were gripped by terror, Jesus rested deeply. The 'pillow' or cushion was likely the steersman's seat at the stern, a place of authority and responsibility. For Jesus to be asleep here signifies a complete surrender and lack of anxiety, even as the boat filled with water.
A Deeper Reality
His sleep reveals that He was operating from a different reality than the terrified disciples. His humanity experienced weariness, but His divinity knew the ultimate outcome and the Father's unfailing control over all creation. He wasn't oblivious; He was secure in His Father's care.
The disciples' desperate plea, 'Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?' is raw, honest, and reveals a crucial turning point in their understanding.
The disciples' cry, though born of terror, contains a nascent faith and a direct appeal to Jesus's authority.
Terror Meets Accusation
Their words reveal a complex mix of fear and perhaps even accusation. They see Jesus's sleep as indifference, questioning His care. The phrase 'do you not care' highlights their distress and their inability to comprehend His peaceful state amidst their peril.
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A Plea for Intervention
Despite their fear, they turn to Jesus, recognizing Him as their only hope. They believe He has the power to intervene, even if they don't yet fully grasp the depth of His authority over nature. Their plea, 'we perish,' is a powerful confession of their helplessness and a desperate call for salvation.
Understand the original words
didaskale · Greek Noun
A descriptive term for one who instructs, used here to address Jesus, acknowledging his authority and role as a rabbi/teacher. It highlights the disciples' recognition of his wisdom, even if their understanding of his divine nature was still developing.
apollymetha · Greek Verb
Used in Scripture to describe the state of being lost, destroyed, or undergoing eternal ruin. It denotes a condition of total helplessness and the impending finality of death or spiritual separation from God.
This event occurred on the Sea of Galilee, a body of water known for its sudden, violent storms, which would have heightened the disciples' terror and the miracle's impact.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Galilean Ministry Begins
Jesus starts teaching and gathering disciples around the Sea of Galilee, performing miracles and attracting large crowds.
c. AD 28
Jesus Teaches Parables by the Sea
Jesus teaches extensively from a boat on the Sea of Galilee, using parables like the Parable of the Sower to illustrate spiritual truths. This is the same day as the storm event.
Evening of the same day— this verse
Jesus and Disciples Cross the Sea
After a long day of teaching, Jesus tells his disciples they will cross to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Other boats accompany them.
Night during the crossing
Sudden Violent Storm Erupts
A fierce storm suddenly strikes the Sea of Galilee, tossing the boat violently and filling it with water, threatening to sink them.
During the storm
Jesus Sleeps; Disciples Panic
Despite the storm's fury, Jesus, exhausted from the day, sleeps soundly in the stern of the boat on a cushion. The disciples, terrified and facing imminent death, wake Him.
During the storm
Jesus Calms the Storm
Jesus awakens, rebukes the wind, and commands the sea to be still. Immediately, a great calm ensues, astonishing the disciples.
Following the calming
Disciples' Amazement and Fear
Overcome with awe and fear, the disciples question who Jesus truly is, realizing even the wind and waves obey His commands.
This passage describes the same event of Jesus calming the storm, but from Matthew's perspective, highlighting Jesus' divine authority over nature and the disciples' lack of faith.
Luke 8:22-25Luke's account also covers the storm and Jesus' calming of it, emphasizing the disciples' fear and Jesus' gentle rebuke of their lack of faith.
Job 38:8-11This passage from Job shows God asserting His sovereign power over the sea and its boundaries, drawing a parallel to Jesus' absolute authority when He rebuked the storm.
Psalm 107:23-30This psalm beautifully recounts sailors in a storm crying out to the Lord for deliverance, who then stills the waves, mirroring the disciples' desperate plea and Jesus' powerful response.
Isaiah 43:1-2God promises protection to His people when they pass through water and fire, assuring them that He will be with them, which speaks to the underlying truth that Jesus, though seemingly asleep, was ultimately in control and present with His disciples.
vincentMark 4:38: "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?"
A pillow (τὸ προσκεφάλαιον)The definite article indicates a well-known part of the boat's equipment - the coarse leathern cushion at the stern for the steersman. The Anglo-Saxon version has bolster.
bengelMark 4:38: "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?"
Mark 4:38 . Πρύμνῃ , the stern ) where the helm is.— τὸ προσκεφάλαιον , the pillow ) This was a part of the ship, as one may infer from the article; it was of wood, as Theophylactus observes. See Heupel. on this passage.— οὐ μέλει σοι , it is not the case, is it? that thou hast no care ) The Lord is not moved to anger at their praying in a rat…
Jesus wasn't just napping; he was asleep on a specific cushion, likely the steersman's, indicating his humble role as part of the crew. His deep sleep, far from showing indifference, highlights the disciples' own crisis of faith in thinking He didn't care as the storm raged around them.
Jesus had just finished teaching a large crowd, and wanting a break, he directed his disciples to set sail across the Sea of Galilee. As they sailed, a furious storm suddenly broke, tossing their small boat violently and filling it with water. Amidst the chaos and terror, Jesus, utterly exhausted from the day's ministry, slept soundly on a cushion at the stern.
Jesus had just finished teaching a large crowd, and wanting a break, he directed his disciples to set sail across the Sea of Galilee. As they sailed, a furious storm suddenly broke, tossing their small boat violently and filling it with water. Amidst the chaos and terror, Jesus, utterly exhausted from the day's ministry, slept soundly on a cushion at the stern.
"But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”" — Jesus wasn't just napping; he was asleep on a specific cushion, likely the steersman's, indicating his humble role as part of the crew. His deep sleep, far from showing indifference, highlights the d…
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Last reviewed October 2026