Mark 4:39-40
And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Jesus doesn't just calm the storm; He commands it with two distinct words: "Peace!" and "Be still!" This isn't merely a gentle plea, but a powerful decree, highlighting His authority over the natural world, much like a sovereign over their kingdom. The immediate and total cessation of the wind and waves, beyond what nature would allow, reveals His divine power, surpassing human understanding.
Jesus and his disciples set out across the Sea of Galilee in a boat, intending to find a quiet place to rest. As they sailed, a violent storm suddenly arose, threatening to swamp their vessel and drown them all, while Jesus slept peacefully in the stern. Terrified and feeling abandoned, the disciples cried out to Jesus, who then woke up and commanded the wind and waves to cease.
Jesus didn't just calm the storm; He spoke to it with the authority of God. What does this tell us about His identity?
The text describes Jesus waking up and directly rebuking the wind and commanding the sea. This isn't a polite request; it's an authoritative command.
A Word of Power
Notice the words used: "Peace! Be still!" (or "Silence! Be muzzled!" in some translations). This language carries the weight of divine command. It's as if the wind and waves were disobedient servants who needed to be brought back into line.
Creator's Voice
This action reveals Jesus' divine nature. Only the Creator has the inherent authority to command the very elements He fashioned. His words weren't a plea for help but a declaration of control, demonstrating He is God who commands the seas and winds.
Immediate Obedience
The result was not a gradual calming but an immediate, perfect stillness. This instantaneous obedience shows that creation itself recognizes and responds to its Master's voice.
The disciples cried out in terror, and Jesus responded with a question about their faith. What's the connection between fear and faith in moments of crisis?
In the midst of the storm, the disciples were consumed by fear, believing they were going to perish. Their immediate reaction was to wake Jesus, not with trust, but with an accusation: "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?"
Fear Overriding Faith
Jesus' response, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?" directly links their intense fear to a lack of faith. Their terror wasn't just a natural reaction to danger; it was a symptom of their diminished trust in Jesus' presence and power.
A Test of Trust
This event served as a crucial test for the disciples. While they had seen Jesus perform miracles, the sheer ferocity of the storm overwhelmed them. Jesus intentionally allowed the situation to escalate to reveal their deep-seated need for greater reliance on Him, even when He seemed to be asleep.
Understand the original words
epetimēsen · Greek Verb
To sternly command, censure, or forbid. In the Gospels, it is frequently used when Jesus exercises divine authority over nature, demons, or sickness, demonstrating his sovereign power over creation.
pephimōso · Greek Verb
A Greek imperative command meaning "hush," "keep quiet," or "muzzle." It expresses sovereign control and the immediate imposition of silence or stillness upon a chaotic force.
deiloi · Greek Adjective
A state of terror, dread, or timidity. In the biblical context, it often refers to a lack of trust in God’s presence or power, contrasting with the "fear of the Lord" which is the beginning of wisdom.
pistin · Greek Noun
This event happened in the evening of a busy day, highlighting Jesus' humanity in needing rest but also His divine authority over creation when His disciples' lives were threatened.
c. AD 30
Jesus begins his public ministry
Jesus starts teaching, healing, and calling disciples, drawing large crowds across Galilee.
c. AD 30
Jesus teaches the parable of the sower
Jesus teaches a crowd by the Sea of Galilee, using parables to illustrate spiritual truths.
Evening of the same day— this verse
Jesus and disciples cross the Sea of Galilee
Jesus, weary from a day of teaching, agrees to cross to the other side of the Sea of Galilee with his disciples.
During the crossing
Violent storm erupts on the Sea of Galilee
A fierce storm suddenly strikes, overwhelming the disciples' boat and putting their lives in danger.
During the crossing
This passage directly parallels Jesus' authority over the sea, showing God's sovereign power to set boundaries for the waters and declare 'Thus far shall you come, and no farther.'
Psalm 107:29This verse describes God transforming a raging storm into a calm, mirroring Jesus' act of rebuking the wind and sea to bring about a great calm.
Nahum 1:4This prophecy speaks of God rebuking the sea and making its rivers dry, echoing the same divine authority Jesus demonstrated over the elements.
Matthew 8:27This parallel account shows the disciples' reaction to Jesus' power over nature, highlighting their awe and questioning, 'What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?'
Luke 8:24In this related account, Jesus asks the disciples, 'Where is your faith?' after calming the storm, emphasizing the connection between His power and their trust.
expositorsMark 4:35-41: "And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side."
CHAPTER 4:35-41; 6:47-52 (Mark 4:35-41; Mark 6:47-52)THE TWO STORMS (JESUS WALKING ON THE WATER) "And on that day, when even was come, He saith unto them, Let us go over unto the other side. And leaving the multitude, they take Him with them, even as He was, in the boat. And other boats were with Him. And there ariseth a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the boat, insom…
expositorsMark 4:39: "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."
CHAPTER 4:39, 5:15, 5:31, 5:41 (Mark 4:39; Mark 5:15; Mark 5:31; Mark 5:41)FOUR MIRACLES "And there was a great calm." Mark 4:39 (R.V.) "Behold, him that was possessed with devils, sitting, clothed and in his right mind, even him that had the legion." Mark 5:15 (R.V.) "Who touched Me?" Mark 5:31 (R.V.) "Talitha cumi." Mark 5:41 (R.V.) THERE are two ways, equa…
Jesus doesn't just calm the storm; He commands it with two distinct words: "Peace!" and "Be still!" This isn't merely a gentle plea, but a powerful decree, highlighting His authority over the natural world, much like a sovereign over their kingdom. The immediate and total cessation of the wind and waves, beyond what nature would allow, reveals His divine power, surpassing human understanding.
Jesus and his disciples set out across the Sea of Galilee in a boat, intending to find a quiet place to rest. As they sailed, a violent storm suddenly arose, threatening to swamp their vessel and drown them all, while Jesus slept peacefully in the stern. Terrified and feeling abandoned, the disciples cried out to Jesus, who then woke up and commanded the wind and waves to cease.
Jesus and his disciples set out across the Sea of Galilee in a boat, intending to find a quiet place to rest. As they sailed, a violent storm suddenly arose, threatening to swamp their vessel and drown them all, while Jesus slept peacefully in the stern. Terrified and feeling abandoned, the disciples cried out to Jesus, who then woke up and commanded the wind and waves to cease.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Mark 4:39-40 is available in the Sola app.
From Fear to Awe
After Jesus calmed the storm, the disciples' fear didn't disappear entirely, but it transformed. They were filled with awe and wonder, asking, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" This new awe, born from experiencing His power firsthand, was a step towards a more robust faith.
The fundamental biblical concept of trust, reliance, and commitment to God. It is not merely intellectual assent, but an active, living dependence on God’s character and promises, especially in the face of trials.
Jesus calms the storm
Jesus, awakened by the disciples, rebukes the wind and commands the sea to be still, bringing immediate calm.
Following the miracle
Disciples question Jesus' identity
Stunned by Jesus' authority over nature, the disciples are filled with great fear and wonder who he truly is.
"And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”" — Jesus doesn't just calm the storm; He commands it with two distinct words: "Peace!" and "Be still!" This isn't merely a gentle plea, but a powerful decree, highlighting His authority over the natural…
