The Storm on the Lake

According to the account in Mark, Christ was already in the little fishing boat, and simply remained there without going ashore to dismiss the people (ch. 4:1, 36). However, since Matthew has separated from its context the story of the storm on the lake (see on ch. 8:18), apparently he deems it necessary, in this connection also, to record Jesus' entering into the boat (see ch. 13:2). It was probably almost dusk when the disciples shoved the boat away from the shore. This vessel was doubtless the "small ship" placed at Jesus' disposal (see on Mark 3:9). There were several other fishing boats that left shore at the same time to cross the lake with Jesus (see Mark 4:36).

A tempest arose. The Greek word is seismos, "a shaking," "a commotion," "a tempest," or "an earthquake." Our English word seismograph is derived in part from this root. Here seismos denotes the turbulence of the sea, and the terrific force of the furious gusts of wind as they struck the boat. The Lake of Galilee is noted for sudden storms of great intensity. In this instance the winds came sweeping wildly down upon the waters of the lake fom the mountain gorges along the eastern shore. However, the evening had been calm, and the disciples had probably not anticipated stormy weather.

The boat began filling up with such rapidity that the disciples lost hope of bailing the water out before it became completely swamped. Several of the disciples were expert fishermen who had spent much of their lives on the Lake of Galilee, and who knew how to handle a boat in a storm. But all their experience and skill failed them on this occasion. The Bible says Jesus was a sleep in the boat. This is the only recorded instance of Jesus' sleeping. Overcome with utter weariness and hunger at the close of a strenuous day He no doubt fell asleep quickly (see on Matt. 8:18 Mark 4:38).

The disciples called to Jesus twice in the darkness, only to have their voices drowned out by the noise of the storm. Then a sudden flash of lightning disclosed to them the fact that Jesus was still asleep whereupon "they came to him, and awoke him" (Luke 8:24). Astonished that He could sleep through the fury of the gale, and amazed at His apparent unconcern in the midst of their frantic efforts to save the ship and their very lives, they addressed Him somewhat reprovingly, "Carest thou not that we perish?" (Mark 4:38). Though the disciples had seen many wonderful evidences of divine power, it seems that prior to this time Jesus had displayed no control over the forces of nature, and it might not have occurred to them that He could do so. But Christ stood and calmed the storm. It subsided as suddenly as it had risen. No doubt the silence of nature was as startling and impressive as the unexpected fury of wind and wave had been. As Christ stilled the winds and the waves of Galilee, so He is able to still the storms of life that so often burst unexpectedly and with violence over the human soul. Too often the reason we do not experience His power in our lives is that we are "fearful" and have but "little faith."