Mark 4:40Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He likewise admonishes the disciples for their lack of faith. Had they truly possessed faith, they would have trusted that He, even while resting, could protect them from all harm.

Initially, there is the account of Jesus calming the storm as He rebuked the winds after awakening from His slumber. Then follows the narrative of the fierce demoniacs who broke their chains and fled into the desolate regions. Both Mark and Luke recount this event; their wording varies, yet the essence remains consistent. Matthew relays the Lord's inquiry: Why are you so fearful, you of little faith? In Mark's account, the question reads: Why are you so afraid? It pertains to your lack of faith, or rather, that complete faith comparable to a mustard seed. Luke poses the question: Where is your faith? It is likely that all three questions were asked while they were in the boat: Why are you so fearful? Where is your faith? You of little faith! Each gospel writer highlights different aspects of this address to the disciples, allowing for varied emphasis among them.

The vessel carried His human nature, yet it was the majesty of His divine essence that upheld the vessel and everything within it. To illustrate that His Humanity was not reliant on a vessel—crafted from wood and assembled by a carpenter—He, the Creator of all that exists, solidified the waters and brought them beneath His feet. Just as the Lord empowered the hands of Simeon the priest so he could hold Him in the temple (Luke 2:25-35), so too did He later strengthen the feet of Simon the apostle, allowing him to stand upon the water. Thus, the title held by the Firstborn in the temple became the title held by the Firstborn while at sea.

The authority of His actions and miracles proclaims His divinity. The raging winds, I witness, cease their fury at His command. The tumultuous waters become calm when He speaks. I observe the waves stiffening, the depths struggling to contain His footsteps. He walks upon the surging waves, His feet radiant, leaving traces in the flowing waters. He alone subdues the winds, granting peace to the gales. Who else can address the Aquilonians saying, ‘Hush, confine the vast sea within your prisons,’ if not the Creator of the Aquilonian people?

Upon rising from slumber, the Lord swiftly revealed to them their unworthiness due to their fearfulness and lack of trust. How could they believe that the One who had carried out numerous wonders in their presence would fail? If He cannot fail, then there is no reason for them to be afraid.

In this passage, Mark provides additional details that enhance the richness of his narrative and create a more vivid portrayal of the events. He uniquely notes that after sending away the crowd, the disciples took Jesus just as He was in the boat, implying they embarked hastily without preparing for the nighttime voyage on the water. He also highlights the presence of other boats accompanying them on this journey. Mark uniquely describes Jesus resting in a reclining position at the stern of the vessel, and he alone recounts the specific words by which Jesus commanded the winds and the sea.

After listening to them, Jesus questioned, "Why do you doubt and tremble, you of little faith? Is not the testimony of John and the many wonders I have performed among you sufficient for you to recognize my true identity? Do you believe you can be overwhelmed by the tempest of your own struggles? You whom I have chosen to share My message with all nations? O you of little faith!" Then, turning to the disciples, He lamented, "Where has your faith gone?" (Lk. 8:25).

As the shimmering reflections of the stars in the serene night sky danced upon the calm surface of the water, both the disciples and the fishermen exchanged fearful whispers among themselves, asking, "Who is this that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" This astonishing occurrence served as an illustration that complemented the parables of the kingdom of heaven previously shared. From this, the disciples and all believers should come to understand that the kingdom of heaven, or the church of Christ, resembles a vessel tossed about by the tumultuous waves of the worldly ocean. While the powerful waves may sometimes threaten to engulf the ship of the church and lead it to ruin, those aboard must remain steadfast and unafraid. For Christ is with them, and as long as He remains by their side, no power of darkness can prevail against them.

And He addressed them, as noted in the Gospel of Matthew, prior to calming the tempest; in contrast, the Gospel of Mark records this statement as having been made afterward. This divergence in their accounts does not carry significant weight, as it occurs any time the disciples are admonished for their lack of faith. Whether Matthew recounts this before the storm was calmed or Mark mentions it afterward, the core truth of the event remains unchanged regardless of their timing in the narratives.

Jesus Christ boarded the boat, and following Him, the disciples entered as well after dismissing the crowd. He instructed them, "Let us go to the other side of the lake," and they set sail. Other vessels from the local inhabitants trailed behind, unwilling to part from the Divine Teacher. After a long and arduous day, the Lord, weary from discussions, fell asleep in the stern of the boat. Suddenly, a tempestuous wind erupted from the nearby mountains, stirring chaos on the waters; waves crashed into the boat, threatening to capsize it, placing everyone on board in grave danger. Through this unexpected challenge, the Lord sought to teach His closest disciples to rely on His aid and safety. Thus, St.