Mark 4:41

And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

And {G2532} they feared {G5399} exceedingly {G5401}{G3173}, and {G2532} said {G3004} one {G240} to {G4314} another {G240}, What {G5101} manner of man {G686} is {G2076} this {G3778}, that {G3754} even {G2532} the wind {G417} and {G2532} the sea {G2281} obey {G5219} him {G846}?

But they were terrified and asked each other, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the waves obey him?"

Overwhelmed with fear, they asked one another, “Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Mark 4:41 KJV captures the disciples' profound reaction immediately after Jesus miraculously calms a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee. Their fear of the raging elements transforms into an even deeper awe and bewilderment concerning the true identity and unparalleled authority of the man who commanded the wind and the waves.

Context

This pivotal verse concludes the dramatic account of Jesus and His disciples crossing the Sea of Galilee. While Jesus was asleep in the boat, a sudden and fierce storm arose, threatening to capsize their vessel. The disciples, many of whom were experienced fishermen, were terrified and cried out to Jesus, believing they were about to perish. Jesus awoke, rebuked the wind and the sea with a simple command ("Peace, be still"), and immediately there was a great calm. It is this astonishing display of power that elicits their fearful question in verse 41.

Key Themes

  • The Divine Authority of Jesus: The central theme is Jesus' absolute dominion over creation. Unlike prophets who performed miracles by God's power, Jesus commands nature directly, demonstrating an inherent, divine authority. The disciples' question, "What manner of man is this," highlights their dawning realization that Jesus is more than just a prophet or a teacher; He possesses power belonging only to God.
  • Awe and Reverential Fear: The disciples' initial fear of the storm shifts to a profound fear of Jesus Himself. This is not the fear of terror, but a deep sense of awe and reverence in the presence of overwhelming power and holiness. It's similar to the reaction of Old Testament figures encountering the manifest presence of God.
  • The Unveiling of Christ's Identity: This miracle serves as a powerful revelation of who Jesus truly is. It forces the disciples to confront the supernatural reality of His person, pushing them beyond their preconceived notions of the Messiah. This event contributes significantly to their gradual understanding of Jesus' unique divine nature, a theme that continues throughout the Gospels, leading to Peter's confession in Mark 8:29.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "feared exceedingly" translates the Greek ἐφοβήθησαν φόβον μέγαν (ephobēthēsan phobon megan), literally "they feared a great fear." This emphasizes the intensity and profound nature of their fear, which was not merely terror but a deep, overwhelming awe in the presence of the miraculous. The question "What manner of man is this?" comes from τίς ἄρα οὗτός ἐστιν (tis ara houtos estin), signifying a profound inquiry into Jesus' identity, expressing their astonishment and wonder at His unique power.

Practical Application

Mark 4:41 challenges us to consider our own understanding of Jesus. Do we truly grasp His sovereignty over all creation, including the "storms" of our lives? This verse encourages us to move beyond superficial knowledge of Christ to a deeper, more reverent awe of His divine power and authority. When faced with life's overwhelming circumstances, remembering that Jesus commands even the wind and the sea can bring profound peace and trust, shifting our fear of circumstances to a healthy, worshipful fear of the One who controls all things.

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.

  • Luke 8:25

    And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.

  • Job 38:11

    And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?

  • Jonah 1:15

    So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging.

  • Jonah 1:16

    Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the LORD, and made vows.

  • 1 Samuel 12:18

    So Samuel called unto the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.

  • 1 Samuel 12:20

    And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart;

  • 1 Samuel 12:24

    Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great [things] he hath done for you.

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