Mark 4 37

Mark 4:37 kjv

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

Mark 4:37 nkjv

And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.

Mark 4:37 niv

A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.

Mark 4:37 esv

And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling.

Mark 4:37 nlt

But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.

Mark 4 verses

Mark 4 37 Meaning

Mark 4:37 describes the sudden and intense onset of a severe windstorm that immediately threatens to capsize the boat carrying Jesus and His disciples. The magnitude of the storm is emphasized by the waves continually breaking over the vessel, causing it to rapidly fill with water and thus creating an immediate and grave peril for everyone aboard.

Mark 4 37 Context

Mark chapter 4 is largely comprised of parables of the Kingdom of God, illustrating its nature, growth, and mystery (e.g., the Parable of the Sower, the Lamp on a Stand, the Growing Seed, and the Mustard Seed). The disciples, along with a large crowd, have just heard Jesus' teachings about the spiritual realm and the operation of God's Kingdom. This account of the storm at sea immediately follows these parables, serving as a powerful demonstration that Jesus' authority is not just over the spiritual and unseen, but also over the physical, tangible world, including the chaotic forces of nature. It dramatically illustrates the power and reality of the very King and Kingdom He is proclaiming. Historically, the Sea of Galilee is known for its sudden, violent storms, caused by strong winds funneling through ravines and meeting colder air masses over the lake's basin.

Mark 4 37 Word analysis

• And (καὶ - kai): A simple connective particle, often used in Mark's Gospel to indicate immediate sequence, contributing to the sense of urgency and direct action. It links this event closely to Jesus' preceding teaching ministry.
• there arose (γίνεται - ginetai): From ginomai, meaning "to come into being," "to happen," "to arise." Used in the present tense, it conveys a sense of vividness and immediacy, as if the storm is unfolding before the reader's eyes. It suggests a sudden and powerful appearance, not a gradual formation.
• a great storm (λαῖλαψ μεγάλη - lailaps megale):
  • λαῖλαψ (lailaps): A hurricane, a violent squall, whirlwind, or tempest. This word specifically denotes a sudden and dangerous outburst of wind and rain, much more severe than a general storm. It implies the chaotic, swirling nature of the wind. This choice of word highlights the extraordinary and life-threatening nature of the event.
  • μεγάλη (megale): "Great," "large," "mighty," "intense." Amplifies lailaps, indicating the extraordinary power and magnitude of the storm, leaving no doubt about the severity of the threat.
• of wind (ἀνέμου - anemou): From anemos, meaning "wind." Specifies that the lailaps was primarily a wind-driven tempest, responsible for whipping up the waves.
• and (καὶ - kai): Another conjunction connecting the effect of the wind (waves beating) to its cause.
• the waves beat into the boat (τὰ κύματα προσέβαλλεν εἰς τὸ πλοῖον - ta kymata prosballen eis to ploion):
  • τὰ κύματα (ta kymata): "The waves," "the billows." Refers to the agitated masses of water.
  • προσέβαλλεν (prosballen): Imperfect active indicative of prosballō, meaning "to cast against," "to dash upon," "to strike against." The imperfect tense here is significant; it indicates continuous, repeated action. The waves were relentlessly crashing into the boat, not just against it. This depicts the persistent and overwhelming force.
  • εἰς τὸ πλοῖον (eis to ploion): "Into the boat." The preposition "into" reinforces that the waves were not merely hitting the side but were entering and filling the vessel.
• so that (ὥστε - hoste): A conjunction introducing a result clause. This signals the dire consequence of the continuous influx of water.
• the boat was now filling with water (ἤδη γεμίζεσθαι τὸ πλοῖον - ēdē gemizesthai to ploion):
  • ἤδη (ēdē): "Already," "by this time," "now." Emphasizes the critical state and the rapid deterioration of the situation. It conveys a sense of urgency—the boat had quickly reached a point of imminent sinking.
  • γεμίζεσθαι (gemizesthai): Present passive infinitive of gemizō, meaning "to fill," "to be full." The present infinitive suggests the ongoing process of filling, not a static state. The boat was actively and continuously becoming full. The passive voice implies that this was happening to the boat, outside the control of its occupants.
  • τὸ πλοῖον (to ploion): "The boat," specifically "the ship" or "fishing vessel." It indicates the vessel itself was taking on so much water that its buoyancy was critically compromised.

This verse contains an implicit polemic against the idea of uncontrolled natural forces or, for pagan audiences, deities like Poseidon who supposedly ruled the seas arbitrarily. By setting up a scenario of ultimate natural chaos and peril, the narrative prepares for the revelation of Jesus' unique divine authority which surpasses and commands all created powers. It establishes humanity's powerlessness against nature's fury, paving the way for the astonishing demonstration of Jesus' sovereign control.

Mark 4 37 Bonus section

• The Sea of Galilee: This lake is about 7 miles wide and 13 miles long. It sits nearly 700 feet below sea level, surrounded by steep hills. The funneling of cold air from the surrounding mountains into the deep basin can create incredibly sudden and violent windstorms, making this biblical account historically plausible.
• Biblical Pattern: The theme of God or a divine figure controlling the chaotic waters is a recurring motif in the Bible, reflecting God's sovereignty over creation from Genesis 1:2 (Spirit hovering over the waters) to Psalm 107. Jesus' action directly parallels this divine authority.
• Markan Style: Mark's Gospel is known for its fast pace and emphasis on action. This verse, with its immediate depiction of rising peril ("arose," "now filling"), contributes to this sense of urgent narrative flow.

Mark 4 37 Commentary

Mark 4:37 is crucial because it meticulously sets the scene for one of Jesus' most striking miracles. The detailed description of the storm—its "greatness," the "wind" (lailaps, denoting a whirlwind), and the "waves" relentlessly "beating into" the boat until it was "filling with water"—underscores the real and imminent danger facing Jesus and His disciples. This was no ordinary storm; it was a violent tempest that genuinely threatened their lives and the complete destruction of their vessel. The graphic language emphasizes the extremity of the situation, making the disciples' subsequent panic understandable. This stark reality of human vulnerability against the untamed forces of nature highlights the immense power about to be revealed through Jesus, contrasting His calm amidst the chaos with the disciples' growing fear. The scene perfectly frames the upcoming display of Jesus' divine dominion over creation, a power typically attributed solely to God in the Old Testament. This foundational peril makes His subsequent calming of the storm an even more profound revelation of His unique identity and authority as the Son of God.