Mark 4 38

Mark 4:38 kjv

And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

Mark 4:38 nkjv

But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"

Mark 4:38 niv

Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"

Mark 4:38 esv

But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?"

Mark 4:38 nlt

Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, "Teacher, don't you care that we're going to drown?"

Mark 4 verses

Mark 4 38 Meaning

Mark 4:38 vividly portrays Jesus's true humanity and profound peace amid a violent storm, contrasted sharply with the fear and desperate plea of His disciples. It highlights their perception of Jesus as "Teacher" and their doubt about His concern, revealing their nascent understanding of His identity and power. This verse sets the stage for Jesus's display of divine authority over creation, challenging their limited faith and preparing them for a deeper revelation of who He truly is.

Mark 4 38 Context

Mark Chapter 4 begins with Jesus teaching foundational parables about the Kingdom of God, such as the Parable of the Sower, explaining the varied responses to His message. He then discusses the purpose of light (the lamp under a basket) and the mysterious growth of the Kingdom (seed growing secretly, mustard seed). These parables, delivered from a boat to a multitude on the shore, establish the nature and future of God's reign. Mark 4:38 occurs immediately after Jesus suggests crossing to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, and a violent storm arises. This shift from parabolic teaching to a demonstration of divine power serves to reinforce the authority of the one speaking the parables, providing a tangible example of the Kingdom's reality in action and challenging the disciples' understanding of who Jesus truly is beyond being merely a "Teacher." Historically, the Sea of Galilee was known for sudden, violent storms due to winds sweeping down the surrounding hills through gorges, making such an event terrifying but not uncommon for experienced fishermen.

Mark 4 38 Word analysis

• But (Greek: Kai): Here functions as a conjunction connecting two contrasting ideas: the raging storm (Mk 4:37) and Jesus's profound peace. It can also imply a simple continuation, but the narrative emphasizes the dramatic difference.
• he himself (Greek: autos): Emphatic pronoun stressing that Jesus specifically was in this state. It highlights His unique composure amidst chaos.
• was in (Greek: ēn en): Simple past tense, indicating Jesus's settled state of being.
• the stern (Greek: tē prymnē): The rear part of the boat, typically the most stable area where the rudder might be located. This position signifies deliberate comfort or the best spot for rest, not one taken by someone concerned about immediate danger. In ancient maritime culture, it's often the area of control.
• of the boat (Greek: tou ploiou): Refers to the common fishing vessel of that era on the Sea of Galilee.
• asleep (Greek: katheudōn): Present participle, indicating an ongoing state of deep sleep. This highlights Jesus's genuine humanity, subject to fatigue and rest, yet also implies a profound trust or inner peace unaffected by external turmoil. This contrasts with common pagan notions of divine beings who are always alert and untouched by human experience.
• on the cushion (Greek: epi to proskefalaion): Literally "on the head-rest." This suggests a designated place for rest, implying a degree of comfort and settledness. It adds a detail to enhance the picture of Jesus's peaceful repose.
• And they awoke (Greek: kai ēgeiran auton): Indicates the disciples' urgent and forceful action to rouse Jesus. The Greek suggests an effort on their part, reflecting their desperation.
• Him (Greek: auton): The direct object of their awakening, emphasizing Jesus as their immediate and sole focus of hope in their distress.
• and say to Him (Greek: kai legousin autō): Present tense, a Markan characteristic (historical present), adding vividness and immediacy to the narrative, making the scene feel like it's unfolding in front of the reader.
• Teacher (Greek: Didaskale): The title the disciples use for Jesus. It acknowledges His authority to teach and their position as students, but it does not fully encompass or recognize His divine power over creation. It implies respect but also a limitation in their understanding of His full identity at this point.
• do You not care (Greek: ou melei soi): A rhetorical question in Greek expecting a "yes" answer (e.g., "Surely You do care, don't You?"). However, in their fearful desperation, it carries an implied accusation of neglect or indifference. Melei implies concern or anxiety for someone. Their question challenges Jesus's attentiveness and compassion. This question echoes the human tendency to question God's presence and care in the midst of suffering.
• that we are perishing (Greek: hoti apollumetha): Apollumetha is a present tense, middle/passive voice verb, meaning "we are perishing" or "we are being destroyed." This conveys their absolute conviction of imminent and ongoing doom, a profound sense of helplessness and mortal danger. It reveals the depth of their fear.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "he himself was in the stern of the boat, asleep on the cushion": This phrase paints a striking contrast between the raging, life-threatening storm (described in v. 37) and Jesus's absolute calm. It emphasizes both Jesus's humanity (needing sleep, experiencing fatigue) and a serene trust or divine peace. His choice of the "stern" and "cushion" suggests an intentional, undisturbed rest, further highlighting His remarkable tranquility. This imagery might challenge contemporary polemics against the idea of a deity interacting with physical limitations, as Jesus embodies a new understanding of divine presence.
• "And they awoke Him and say to Him, 'Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?'": This powerful group of phrases captures the disciples' escalating fear and desperation, climaxing in a rhetorical question that carries both a plea for help and an implicit accusation of apathy. Their address "Teacher" indicates a profound lack of comprehension regarding Jesus's identity as Lord and sovereign over creation. The question "Do You not care" (Greek ou melei soi) signifies their feeling of abandonment and misunderstanding of God's character amidst perceived crisis. The declaration "we are perishing" reflects their conviction of imminent destruction, demonstrating their lack of faith in the one sleeping peacefully among them who holds all power.

Mark 4 38 Bonus section

The incident of Jesus calming the storm, beginning with Mark 4:38, functions as an enacted parable. Just as the parables explain the Kingdom's nature, this miracle reveals the King's identity and power. The boat, carrying Jesus and His disciples through the storm, has been widely interpreted as a metaphor for the Church navigating the tumultuous "storms" of life and persecution. Jesus's initial "absence" or sleep within the storm serves as a crucial test of faith, questioning whether believers trust His presence and care even when He seems inactive or distant. This narrative challenges ancient and contemporary worldviews where natural forces were controlled by unpredictable deities or fate, by asserting God's ultimate and caring sovereignty over creation through Christ. The disciples' response also provides a boundary/limitation for understanding faith; faith is not merely believing Jesus can help, but trusting His presence and care even when all appears lost.

Mark 4 38 Commentary

Mark 4:38 serves as a pivotal moment, immediately following Jesus's parables of the Kingdom, showcasing His authoritative power in action. It dramatically contrasts the chaos of the storm and the disciples' terror with Jesus's inexplicable tranquility. His deep sleep underscores His true humanity—subject to weariness and needing rest. Yet, this very sleep highlights His profound peace and implicit trust in His Father's sovereignty, even in the face of imminent danger. The disciples' desperate cry, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?", exposes their fear and fragile faith. They appeal to Him as a mere instructor, not yet fully comprehending His divine control over creation. Their question reflects a common human dilemma in suffering: questioning God's concern amidst dire circumstances. This scene powerfully sets the stage for Jesus to reveal a greater dimension of His identity, not merely as a Teacher, but as the one who commands the very forces of nature, preparing His followers for the magnitude of who He truly is.