|
|
|
| In Jonah, a violent storm threatens a ship on which Jonah sleeps, so Mark made a violent storm threaten a ship on which Jesus sleeps. In Jonah, the apprehensive sailors waken Jonah and question his cavalier attitude toward the danger, so Mark made his boat's captain apprehensive also, and had him, too, waken Jesus and question him about his seeming lack of concern. The miraculous calming of the sea in Jonah causes the men fear the Lord, so Mark has the miraculous calming of his sea make the disciples fear Jesus, too. (Jonah 1:4-16, Mark 4:37-41) |
Old Testament Antecedents |
Mark 4 |
|
[S]uch a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. All the sailors were afraid …(Jonah 1:4) |
That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." (Mark 4:35) Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. (36) A furious squall came up, and the
waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. (37) |
|
Passengers are surprised Jonah sleeps as the storm
threatens the boat. Scripture teaches that sleep comes easy to those who are
confident in the Lord’s protection. But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep. The captain went to him and said, "How can you sleep? (Jonah 1:5-6)
|
Passengers are surprised Jesus sleeps as the storm
threatens the boat. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The
disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we
drown?" (38) |
|
The Lord rules the seas. [He] brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm…(Psalm 107:29-30) O God our Savior…who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves…(Psalm 65:5-7) You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them (Psalm 89:9) When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. (Isaiah 43:1) |
The Lord has the power to control the seas, so Mark
gave Jesus a similar power. He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. (39) |
|
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. (Isaiah 12:2) For the LORD…will not forsake his faithful ones. They will
be protected forever (Psalm 37:28) When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word
I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. (Psalm 56:3-4) |
He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" (40) |
|
After the sailors saw the power of Jonah’s god, they
became fearful of the Lord. [T]he raging sea grew calm. At this the men greatly feared the LORD (Jonah 1:15-16) |
Disciples were fearful of he who had god-like powers. They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this?” (41) |
|
The wind obeys the Lord. Praise the LORD …stormy winds that do his bidding, |
Mark has the wind obey the command of Jesus. “Even the wind and the waves obey him!" (41) |
|
After the Lord stilled the storm, the sailors arrived
safely at their destination. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. (Psalm 107:30) |
After Jesus calms the seas, the sailors arrive safely
at their destination. They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. (Mark 5:1) |
Other articles about Mark’s
gospel:
David and Jesus
Jesus Walks on Water
Loaves and Fishes
Wicked Tenants Parables