Mark 4:35-41 Calming the Storm

Parables to Miracles

Mark just arranged a set of parables where Jesus teaches about the Kingdom of God.

Now we get to hear a few miracles where Jesus proves again that He has the authority to speak on this.

He’s going to prove that He is God the Son and therefore can speak with authority about the Kingdom of God.

The Story

Notice that Mark is setting the story up to show that there were witnesses to this event. It was for others to see. Not just their boat but other boats too.

Jesus is also showing His humanity in this story. After teaching for a long time he needs rest.

His disciples think He doesn’t care about them or the situation.

Jesus is not worried.

Jesus’ Response

Mark 4:40 “And he said to them, “Why are you cowardly? Do you still not have faith?””

He knows all the other miracles they have seen Him perform so He asks why they don’t trust Him in this situation.

Previously Jesus has shown His authority over people’s health, the spiritual realm, His authority on the Sabath day of rest.

Now he’s showing them that his power extends to all of nature as well.

Jesus speaks to the storm and it obeys Him. This is something that only God can do and the OT talks about this.

Remember that Jesus was present at creation.

John 1:1–3 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God.The Word was with God in the beginning. All things were created by him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.”

A right takeaway

This is a story that is really easy to overspiritualize.

That means taking some point from the story that sounds really nice and seems to fit from the story but it isn’t actually what the story is for.

We need to look at the context. What is Jesus’ main concern in this situation?

A wrong interpretation is: Jesus will calm all the storms in our life. That’s just not true. The Bible tells us that followers of Jesus will face difficulties and trials. But we also know that God will never leave us in the middle of those trials.

He wants his followers to trust Him.

He wants us to see that He truly is God the Son and proves it with authority that no one else could have. He’s not just a prophet, He is God.

Regardless of the outcome that we experience in this life, our eternal lives are secure if we trust Jesus.