Mark 6:51-52
And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The disciples' astonishment wasn't just about Jesus walking on water, but about the immediate cessation of the wind the moment he joined them in the boat. This highlights that their awe deepened from witnessing His power over nature to His sovereign authority commanding it. It underscores a profound realization: He wasn't just performing a miracle in the storm, but that the storm itself yielded to His presence.
Jesus had just miraculously fed thousands with a few loaves and fish, but instead of celebrating, he sent his disciples across the lake while he went to pray alone on a mountain. The disciples found themselves in a violent storm, struggling to row, until Jesus appeared to them walking on the water, initially terrifying them before he calmed their fears and, upon entering their boat, the wind immediately ceased. This event, occurring after the feeding miracle and Peter's attempt to walk on water, leaves the disciples utterly astonished and points to a deeper misunderstanding of who Jesus truly is.
The disciples faced a terrifying storm. Then Jesus stepped in, and everything changed. What does this reveal about His power?
This moment is a dramatic display of Jesus's absolute authority over the natural world.
Nature Obeys Its Creator
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Mark 6:51-52 is available in the Sola app.
The disciples weren't just surprised; they were 'utterly astounded.' What caused such extreme amazement?
The disciples' extreme reaction, 'utterly astounded,' goes beyond a simple 'wow' moment. It's a deep, soul-shaking recognition of who Jesus truly is.
A Revelation of Identity
Understand the original words
existanto · Greek Verb
The theological concept of 'amazement' or 'astonishment' used in the Gospels to describe the reaction of witnesses to the supernatural power and divine authority manifested by Jesus. It often highlights the gap between human comprehension and the reality of the Incarnate Son of God.
pepōrōmenē · Greek Adjective
In biblical terminology, the heart is the center of human intellect, emotion, and will. A 'hardened' heart refers to a state of spiritual insensitivity, pride, or persistent disbelief that prevents a person from perceiving God's truth, even when confronted with signs and wonders.
This event follows the feeding of the five thousand and a dramatic walk on water, highlighting the disciples' repeated failure to grasp Jesus' divine power and authority over creation.
c. AD 28
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
Jesus miraculously feeds over 5,000 men with only five loaves and two fish, a sign of his authority over nature and provision.
c. AD 28— this verse
Jesus Walks on Water
Jesus walks on the Sea of Galilee in the fourth watch of the night (between 3-6 AM) during a storm, appearing as a ghost to his disciples in their boat.
c. AD 28
Jesus Enters the Boat
Jesus joins his disciples in their boat as the wind immediately ceases, leading to their profound astonishment.
c. AD 28
Arrival at Gennesaret
The boat quickly reaches its destination on the plain of Gennesaret, likely aided by a supernatural calming and propulsion, adding to the disciples' wonder.
This passage directly describes the disciples' reaction after Jesus gets into the boat, highlighting their worship and acknowledgment of His divine identity, deepening our understanding of their amazement.
Mark 4:41This verse, from an earlier, similar miracle (Jesus calming the storm), shows the disciples' profound fear and awe at Jesus' power over nature, providing a parallel to their astonishment here.
John 6:21This verse adds that 'they were willing to receive him into the ship' and that 'immediately the boat was at the land,' suggesting a swift, almost supernatural arrival that amplified their wonder.
Luke 8:25This account also emphasizes the disciples' fear and bewilderment, questioning 'What manner of man is this?' after Jesus calms the storm, echoing the profound shock in Mark 6:51.
pooleMark 6:51: "And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered."
See Poole on "Mark 6:47"
vincentMark 6:51: "And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered."
CeasedSee on Mark 4:39.Sore amazed (λίαν ἐκ περισσοῦ ἐξίσταντο)Lit., exceedingly beyond measure. A strong expression peculiar to Mark. Ἐξίσταντο, were amazed. Compare the cognate noun ἔκστασις, and see on Mark 5:42.
The disciples' astonishment wasn't just about Jesus walking on water, but about the immediate cessation of the wind the moment he joined them in the boat. This highlights that their awe deepened from witnessing His power over nature to His sovereign authority commanding it. It underscores a profound realization: He wasn't just performing a miracle in the storm, but that the storm itself yielded to His presence.
Jesus had just miraculously fed thousands with a few loaves and fish, but instead of celebrating, he sent his disciples across the lake while he went to pray alone on a mountain. The disciples found themselves in a violent storm, struggling to row, until Jesus appeared to them walking on the water, initially terrifying them before he calmed their fears and, upon entering their boat, the wind immediately ceased. This event, occurring after the feeding miracle and Peter's attempt to walk on water, leaves the disciples utterly astonished and points to a deeper misunderstanding of who Jesus truly is.
Jesus had just miraculously fed thousands with a few loaves and fish, but instead of celebrating, he sent his disciples across the lake while he went to pray alone on a mountain. The disciples found themselves in a violent storm, struggling to row, until Jesus appeared to them walking on the water, initially terrifying them before he calmed their fears and, upon entering their boat, the wind immediately ceased. This event, occurring after the feeding miracle and Peter's attempt to walk on water, leaves the disciples utterly astonished and points to a deeper misunderstanding of who Jesus truly is.
"And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened." — The disciples' astonishment wasn't just about Jesus walking on water, but about the immediate cessation of the wind the moment he joined them in the boat. This highlights that their awe deepened fr…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
