Mark 4:38

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?

And {G2532} he {G846} was {G2258} in {G1909} the hinder part of the ship {G4403}, asleep {G2518} on {G1909} a pillow {G4344}: and {G2532} they awake {G1326} him {G846}, and {G2532} say {G3004} unto him {G846}, Master {G1320}, carest {G3199} thou {G4671} not {G3756} that {G3754} we perish {G622}?

But he was in the stern on a cushion, asleep. They woke him and said to him, "Rabbi, doesn't it matter to you that we're about to be killed?"

But Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him and said, “Teacher, don’t You care that we are perishing?”

And he himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion: and they awake him, and say unto him, Teacher, carest thou not that we perish?

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?

Commentary

This verse is part of the account of Jesus calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee (Mark 4:35-41). After a long day of teaching, Jesus and His disciples were crossing the lake when a sudden, violent storm arose, common in that region due to winds sweeping down from the surrounding hills.

While the experienced fishermen among the disciples were terrified, Jesus was remarkably asleep in the stern ("hinder part") of the boat, resting His head on a cushion or bolster ("pillow"). This detail highlights Jesus' humanity and perhaps His profound peace or exhaustion.

Overwhelmed by the danger, the disciples wake Him with a desperate plea that reveals their panic and temporary lack of faith: "Master, carest thou not that we perish?" This question expresses their fear that Jesus was indifferent to their plight, a common human feeling when facing overwhelming difficulties.

The scene starkly contrasts the raging storm and the disciples' fear with Jesus' peaceful sleep. It sets the stage for the demonstration of His divine authority over creation in the following verses.

  • Key Themes: Faith vs. Fear, Jesus' Authority over Nature, Jesus' Humanity, Trusting God in Trials.
  • Linguistic Insight: The Greek word for "pillow" (προσκεφάλαιον - proskefalaion) refers to a cushion, likely part of the boat's equipment, possibly the helmsman's cushion. The disciples' question "carest thou not" (οὐ μέλει σοι - ou melei soi) is a poignant expression of feeling abandoned or ignored in a crisis.
  • Cross-reference: Parallel accounts are found in Matthew 8:23-27 and Luke 8:22-25.

Reflection: Like the disciples, we often face "storms" in life – crises, fears, and uncertainties. This verse reminds us that even when it seems Jesus is "asleep" or unaware of our struggles, He is present in the boat with us. Our call is to turn to Him, even with our fearful questions, and trust in His power and care.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Peter 5:7

    Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

  • Hebrews 4:15

    For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.

  • Isaiah 54:6

    ¶ For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.

  • Isaiah 54:8

    In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.

  • Matthew 8:25

    And his disciples came to [him], and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.

  • Isaiah 40:27

    ¶ Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God?

  • Isaiah 40:28

    Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, [that] the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? [there is] no searching of his understanding.
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