Mark 4:41

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}?

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 4:41 encapsulates the disciples' profound and transformative reaction to Jesus' miraculous calming of a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee. Their initial terror of the natural elements shifts dramatically to an overwhelming awe and reverential fear concerning the true identity and unparalleled authority of the man who, with a mere command, brought the tempestuous wind and sea to immediate submission. This pivotal moment forces them to confront the divine power inherent in Jesus, prompting a bewildered inquiry into the very nature of His being.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the climactic conclusion to the narrative of Jesus calming the storm, which begins in [Mark 4:35](/mark/4-35 "Mark 4:35 - Jesus and His disciples cross the Sea of Galilee"). Immediately preceding this, Jesus had been teaching parables to the crowds, emphasizing the nature of the Kingdom of God. The transition from teaching to a dramatic display of power over creation is significant, demonstrating that Jesus' authority extends beyond words to the very fabric of the cosmos. The disciples' desperate plea in [Mark 4:38](/mark/4-38 "Mark 4:38 - Disciples awaken Jesus during the storm") ("Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?") highlights their human fear and lack of understanding, setting the stage for Jesus' powerful rebuke of the wind and sea in [Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus rebukes the wind and sea"), which immediately brings about a great calm. Verse 41, then, is the disciples' stunned response to this undeniable demonstration of divine power, shifting the focus from their physical peril to the spiritual revelation of Jesus' identity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Sea of Galilee, a freshwater lake approximately 13 miles long and 8 miles wide, is notorious for sudden, violent storms. Nestled between hills, cold air currents can funnel down the ravines, colliding with the warmer air over the lake, creating rapid and intense squalls. For the disciples, many of whom were seasoned fishermen, such a storm was a familiar, yet terrifying, occupational hazard. Their experience would have taught them the futility of human effort against such forces. In the ancient world, control over the sea and wind was exclusively attributed to God (e.g., [Psalm 89:9](/psalms/89-9 "Psalm 89:9 - God rules the raging sea") or [Psalm 107:29](/psalms/107-29 "Psalm 107:29 - God stills the storm")). Therefore, Jesus' effortless command over these elements would have profoundly challenged their understanding of human and divine authority, placing Him squarely in the realm of the divine in their worldview.
* **Key Themes:** The episode culminating in [Mark 4:41](/mark/4-41 "Mark 4:41 - Disciples' Awe at Jesus' Authority") powerfully underscores several core themes within the Gospel of Mark. Foremost is **The Divine Authority of Jesus**, showcasing His inherent dominion not only over disease and demons, as seen in earlier chapters, but also over creation itself. Unlike Old Testament prophets who acted as instruments of God's power, Jesus commands nature directly, revealing a unique, intrinsic authority that belongs to God alone. This miracle also highlights **The Unveiling of Christ's Identity**, pushing the disciples beyond their initial perception of Him as merely a great teacher or prophet. Their question, "What manner of man is this," signifies a dawning, albeit incomplete, realization of His supernatural nature, a theme that progressively develops throughout the Gospel, culminating in Peter's confession in [Mark 8:29](/mark/8-29 "Mark 8:29 - Peter's Confession of Christ"). Finally, the passage explores the nature of **Faith and Fear**, demonstrating a transition from a worldly fear of perishing to a profound, reverential fear (awe) in the presence of divine power, inviting reflection on the proper response to God's manifest presence.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Feared (Greek, _phobéō'_):** From G5399, meaning "to frighten, i.e. (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e. revere." This word indicates a deep emotional response, moving beyond mere terror to a profound sense of awe and reverence. The disciples' fear of the storm transforms into a holy dread in the presence of Jesus' power, recognizing something truly divine.
* **Manner of man (Greek, _ára'_):** From G686, a particle denoting an inference or conclusion, often used to express wonder or astonishment, as in "what manner (of man)." This isn't a simple question seeking information but an exclamation born of profound bewilderment and a dawning realization that Jesus defies all known categories of human identity. It reflects their struggle to comprehend His unique authority.
* **Obey (Greek, _hypakoúō'_):** From G5219, meaning "to hear under (as a subordinate), i.e. to listen attentively; by implication, to heed or conform to a command or authority." This word is crucial as it implies a direct, willing submission of the wind and sea to Jesus' command, underscoring His absolute, sovereign authority over creation. It's not a mere cessation of the storm but an active response to His voice.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they feared exceedingly,"**: This clause describes the disciples' intense emotional state. The Greek construction "feared a great fear" (ἐφοβήθησαν φόβον μέγαν) emphasizes the magnitude and depth of their fear, which is now directed not at the storm, but at Jesus Himself. It signifies a profound, overwhelming awe in the presence of divine power, a response akin to Old Testament encounters with the manifest glory of God.
* **"and said one to another,"**: This indicates a shared, collective response and a desperate attempt to process the incomprehensible event. Their turning to each other suggests a need for communal understanding and validation of what they had just witnessed, as no single individual could fully grasp its implications alone. It highlights their bewilderment and the profound impact of the miracle.
* **"What manner of man is this,"**: This rhetorical question expresses their utter astonishment and inability to categorize Jesus within their existing frameworks. The term "manner of man" (τίς ἄρα οὗτός ἐστιν) conveys a sense of profound inquiry into His identity, acknowledging that He is no ordinary human. It's a question born of wonder and a dawning, unsettling realization that Jesus possesses power beyond human comprehension.
* **"that even the wind and the sea obey him?"**: This final clause articulates the specific source of their astonishment: Jesus' unique authority over the natural world. The "even" (καί) emphasizes the extraordinary nature of this obedience, as these are forces traditionally seen as uncontrollable by humans and subject only to God. The fact that they "obey" Him implies a conscious submission to His command, reinforcing His divine sovereignty.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 4:41 is rich in literary devices that amplify its theological impact. The phrase "feared exceedingly" (literally "feared a great fear" in Greek) employs **Hyperbole** and **Cognate Accusative** to emphasize the profound intensity of the disciples' emotional response. This is not just ordinary fear, but an overwhelming, almost sacred dread. The central question, "What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" is a powerful **Rhetorical Question**. It is not posed to elicit an answer from another disciple, but rather to express the disciples' collective astonishment, bewilderment, and the dawning realization of Jesus' unique, divine identity. The question serves to highlight the extraordinary nature of Jesus' power and to invite the reader to ponder the same profound mystery. Furthermore, the concept of the wind and sea "obeying" Jesus can be seen as a subtle form of **Personification**, attributing a capacity for conscious response to inanimate elements, thereby underscoring the absolute and personal nature of Jesus' command over creation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 4:41 stands as a pivotal moment in the Gospel narrative, profoundly impacting the disciples' understanding of Jesus' identity and authority. It unequivocally demonstrates Jesus' divine sovereignty over creation, placing Him in a category reserved solely for God in the Old Testament. This event challenges the disciples, and by extension, all readers, to move beyond a superficial understanding of Jesus as merely a teacher or prophet, to grasp His inherent, divine power. The shift from fear of the storm to a reverential fear of Jesus is a theological turning point, signifying a proper, worshipful response to the manifestation of God's glory. This episode foreshadows Jesus' ultimate authority over all things, including sin, death, and the forces of evil.

* [Psalm 107:29](/psalms/107-29 "Psalm 107:29 - God stills the storm")
* [Job 38:8-11](/job/38-8-11 "Job 38:8-11 - God's control over the sea")
* [Matthew 16:13-16](/matthew/16-13-16 "Matthew 16:13-16 - Peter's Confession of Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 4:41 serves as a profound mirror, inviting us to examine our own understanding and response to Jesus. Do we truly grasp the magnitude of His authority, or do we, like the disciples, sometimes limit Him to our human categories? When the "storms" of life rage—whether they be personal crises, global uncertainties, or spiritual battles—do we panic and question His care, or do we remember that the One who commands the wind and the sea is sovereign over every circumstance? This verse calls us to cultivate a deeper, reverential awe of Jesus, recognizing that His power is not merely historical but eternally present and active. It encourages us to shift our focus from the overwhelming nature of our problems to the overwhelming power of our Savior, fostering a trust that can calm our inner anxieties even when external circumstances remain turbulent. Our fear of circumstances should transform into a worshipful fear of the One who holds all things in His hands.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my understanding of Jesus' authority over creation impact my response to the "storms" in my own life?**
* **In what ways might I be limiting my view of Jesus, preventing me from fully grasping His divine power and identity?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper sense of reverential awe for Jesus, moving beyond mere intellectual assent to a transformative encounter with His sovereignty?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the disciples' fear changing from the storm to Jesus?**

Answer: The shift in the disciples' fear from the natural phenomenon (the storm) to Jesus Himself is profoundly significant. Initially, their fear was a natural human response to mortal danger. However, once Jesus effortlessly commanded the wind and sea, their fear transformed into a deeper, reverential awe (Greek: *phobos*), akin to the "fear of the Lord" described in the Old Testament (e.g., [Exodus 14:31](/exodus/14-31 "Exodus 14:31 - Israel fears the Lord after Red Sea")). This new fear was not terror, but a recognition of overwhelming divine power and holiness. It signified a dawning realization that Jesus was not merely a prophet or a wise teacher, but someone possessing inherent authority over creation—an attribute reserved for God alone. This transformation marked a critical step in their understanding of Jesus' true, divine identity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 4:41, though a narrative of Jesus' earthly ministry, profoundly points to His ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment. The power Jesus demonstrates over the wind and sea is not merely a miraculous feat but a tangible manifestation of His pre-existent, divine nature as the Creator and Sustainer of all things. As [Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - Christ as Creator") declares, "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him." The very elements that "obey" Him in [Mark 4:41](/mark/4-41 "Mark 4:41 - Disciples' Awe at Jesus' Authority") are those He spoke into existence. This event foreshadows His ultimate victory over all chaotic forces, including sin and death, which are the greatest storms humanity faces. Just as He calmed the physical storm, He offers true peace to those caught in the spiritual storms of life, a peace that surpasses understanding, as promised in [John 14:27](/john/14-27 "John 14:27 - Jesus gives peace"). His authority over creation confirms His identity as the Son of God, the Messiah, who has been given "all authority in heaven and on earth" ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - Jesus' Great Commission")). Ultimately, Mark 4:41 reveals the Lordship of Christ, who is not only able to calm the literal seas but also to bring order and salvation to the chaotic human heart, leading us to confess, like the disciples, that He is truly unique and worthy of all worship and obedience, for "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow" ([Philippians 2:10](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10 - Every Knee Shall Bow to Jesus")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.