Mark 4 35

Mark 4:35 kjv

And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

Mark 4:35 nkjv

On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side."

Mark 4:35 niv

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side."

Mark 4:35 esv

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side."

Mark 4:35 nlt

As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's cross to the other side of the lake."

Mark 4 verses

Mark 4 35 Meaning

Mark 4:35 signifies a pivotal transition in Jesus' ministry, marking the end of a long day of public teaching and parables, and initiating a journey across the Sea of Galilee. It illustrates Jesus' deliberate command to His disciples to embark on a passage, which subsequently leads to the demonstration of His divine authority over nature, foreshadowing both their spiritual training and the future expansion of the gospel beyond conventional boundaries.

Mark 4 35 Context

Mark 4:35 follows an extensive period of Jesus teaching parables to large crowds by the Sea of Galilee (Mk 4:1-34), including the Parable of the Sower, the Lamp, the Growing Seed, and the Mustard Seed. The verse acts as a decisive narrative break and a transition. It shifts the scene from public teaching to a more private interaction with the disciples, demonstrating Jesus' power rather than merely explaining truths. This shift sets the stage for the dramatic event of Jesus calming the storm, directly illustrating His divine authority over creation, a power implicitly discussed in His preceding parables about the Kingdom of God growing despite hidden challenges. Historically, the Sea of Galilee, being in a depression surrounded by hills, was known for its sudden and violent storms, making this seemingly simple journey a potentially perilous one. The command to go to "the other side" refers to the eastern, predominantly Gentile, region of Decapolis, foreshadowing the expansion of Jesus' mission beyond the Jewish heartland.

Mark 4 35 Word analysis

• And (Καὶ - Kai): This common Greek conjunction connects the verse to the preceding narrative, signaling a continuation of events but also marking a shift to a new scene or aspect of Jesus' ministry following His extensive parable teaching. It emphasizes sequential action.
• on that day (ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ - en ekeinē tē hēmerā): This phrase links the journey directly to the day of significant teaching by the Sea of Galilee (Mk 4:1). It underscores the immediacy and continuity of Jesus' activities and suggests a purposeful move following a day of intense spiritual discourse.
• when evening came (ὀψίας γενομένης - opsias genomenēs): This temporal phrase marks the end of daylight, a time when conditions on the Sea of Galilee could quickly change due to thermal shifts creating sudden winds. The choice of evening suggests Jesus' deliberate timing, perhaps for less crowd interaction, but also sets a mood, as evening often precedes events of spiritual significance or testing in biblical narratives.
• He said (λέγει - legei): The use of the present tense (historical present) makes the narrative vivid and immediate. It signifies Jesus' active leadership and initiative. His word is authoritative, a direct command, not a mere suggestion.
• to them (αὐτοῖς - autois): This refers specifically to His disciples, who were now receiving more private and practical lessons in discipleship after the public parables (Mk 4:10). This immediate circle is being prepared for deeper insights and encounters with Jesus' power.
• Let us go over (Διέλθωμεν - Dielthōmen): This is a hortatory subjunctive, an exhortation or a polite command meaning "Let us cross over" or "Let us go through." It is an invitation for the disciples to participate in Jesus' intentional journey, highlighting His leadership and their inclusion in His mission.
• to the other side (εἰς τὸ πέραν - eis to peran): This refers to the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, known as the Decapolis region, a primarily Gentile area. This command carries profound symbolic significance, hinting at the broader scope of Jesus' mission to include Gentiles and pushing the disciples beyond their comfort zone, physically and conceptually, into new territories for the gospel. It implies leaving the familiar (Jewish side) for the unknown or "foreign" (Gentile side).

• "And on that day, when evening came": This combination highlights a crucial moment of transition after a full day of ministry, moving from didactic teaching to experiential demonstration, from public discourse to a more intimate setting with the disciples.
• "He said to them, 'Let us go over to the other side'": This specific command by Jesus initiates a journey fraught with both natural peril (the storm to come) and spiritual significance (moving towards Gentile territory), directly challenging the disciples' faith and preparing them for their future commission. It emphasizes Jesus' sovereignty over time and destination.

Mark 4 35 Bonus section

The immediate narrative connection of Mark 4:35 to the calming of the storm (Mk 4:37-41) implies that Jesus purposefully led His disciples into a situation where their faith would be tested, allowing for a profound revelation of His nature. This demonstrates a key pedagogical approach by Jesus: lessons are not only taught through parables but also through lived experiences and divine intervention, designed to stretch their understanding of who He truly is. The "other side" in this context is often understood as the world beyond familiar comfort zones, an allegorical foreshadowing of the gospel spreading to all peoples. This intentional crossing anticipates the mission mandate given by Christ, urging His followers to venture into uncharted spiritual and cultural territories. The very act of entering a boat with Jesus represents entrusting one's life to His leadership amidst uncertain waters, a fundamental aspect of Christian discipleship.

Mark 4 35 Commentary

Mark 4:35 acts as a pivotal transition, closing a significant chapter of Jesus' public teaching by the Sea of Galilee and immediately initiating a direct, physical journey that will profoundly test and deepen the disciples' understanding of His divine authority. Jesus' intentional command, "Let us go over to the other side," is not a casual suggestion but a decisive directive. It frames the subsequent events—the sudden and violent storm, and Jesus' miraculous calming of it—as a preordained lesson designed to reveal His power over creation and to cultivate true faith in His followers. The "other side" carries weighty symbolic meaning; it points to the eastern, predominantly Gentile, region of Decapolis. This subtle yet deliberate shift signals the nascent universal reach of the Kingdom of God, hinting at a ministry that transcends the geographical and spiritual boundaries of Judaism and preparing the disciples for their later commission to preach to all nations. Jesus leads them into the challenging "deep waters" of their faith, illustrating that true discipleship involves not just hearing His words but embarking on the journey with Him, facing trials in His presence, and witnessing His omnipotence firsthand.