Many unique features of Mark's narrative indicate that it came from an eyewitness account, probably Peter. These include mention of "that day"(v. 35), "as He [Jesus] was"and the other boats (v. 36), the stern and the cushion (v. 38), and the rebuke, terror, and bewilderment of the disciples (vv. 38, 41).
4:35-36 Jesus and the disciples would have been crossing from the west to the east side of the lake (cf. 5:1). Fewer people lived on the east side. Evidently Jesus wanted to get away from the multitudes that had given Him no rest all that day (3:20-4:34) and before. Mark normally did not give precise time designations. Probably he did so here to impress the reader with Jesus' extreme busyness that moved Him to withdraw temporarily.
4:37-38 The Sea of Galilee was susceptible to sudden violent storms because of its geography.
"The atmosphere, for the most part, hangs still and heavy, but the cold currents, as they pass from the west, are sucked down in vortices of air, or by the narrow gorges that break upon the lake. Then arise those sudden storms for which the region is notorious."116
Jesus was probably sleeping on a seat at the stern of the boat that had a cushion on it. The fact that Jesus could sleep in such a storm reflects His physical exhaustion, another indication of His full humanity. This is the only place where Matthew, Mark, and Luke recorded Jesus sleeping, though He slept at other times, of course.
Mark alone recorded the disciples' rebuke. It was inappropriate because of who Jesus was. However the disciples did not fully appreciate who He was yet. They did not like the fact that Jesus appeared to be unconcerned about their safety. Note the contrast between the disciples' anxiety and Jesus' lack of concern.
"It was a cry of distrust, but one often matched by believers today in difficult circumstances when they feel that the Lord has forsaken them."117
4:39-40 Mark is the only evangelist who recorded the words Jesus spoke. Jesus addressed His creation as His child, and it responded accordingly. The wind ceased and the waves calmed down.
"In the calming of the storm (4:35-41) his rebuke' of the wind and muzzling' of the waves are phrased in the language of exorcism, recalling the power of God over chaos at creation. Both episodes are effected solely by the word."118
"In Mark's story the sea is a place of chaos and destruction as well as of instruction and fellowship."119
Jesus expressed disappointment that the disciples had not demonstrated more mature faith (cf. 7:18; 8:17-18, 21, 32-33; 9:19). "Timid"(NASB, Gr deiloi) means fearful. "No faith"meant no trust in Him on this occasion. They did not yet realize that Jesus was God who controls nature (cf. Ps. 89:8-9; 104:5-9; 106:8-9; 107:23-32).
". . . Jesus anticipates comprehension on the part of the disciples and they exhibit a profound lack thereof. The upshot is that conflict erupts between Jesus and the disciples, and nowhere is this more apparent than in a series of three boat scenes and two feeding miracles, with the miracles interspersed among the boat scenes."120
4:41 The disciples now became more fearful than they had been when the wind and waves were swamping their boat. The Greek words Mark used, ephobethesan phobon, describe respectful awe that people feel in the presence of supernatural power (cf. 16:8). They had seen Jesus perform many healings and exorcisms, but this was a new revelation of the extent of His authority. Still they did not understand who He really was as is clear from their question.
This story should encourage all Jesus' disciples with the knowledge that He can control the natural circumstances of life, including its storms, and keep them safe. This would have been a comforting revelation to Mark's original readers in their persecutions.
