What is the meaning of Mark 4:40? Why are you so afraid? Jesus had just rebuked the wind and waves, and “there was a great calm” (Mark 4:39). His first question probes the disciples’ hearts more than their circumstances. • Fear surfaced because they forgot who was in the boat with them. Earlier that day they heard Him teach that the kingdom grows irresistibly (Mark 4:26-32); now, in the storm, they lost sight of that truth. • Scripture repeatedly links fear to a lapse in remembering God’s presence. “Do not fear, for I am with you” (Isaiah 41:10); “God is our refuge and strength… therefore we will not fear, though the earth is transformed” (Psalm 46:1-2). • Jesus’ question exposes fear as misplaced focus. Instead of looking at Him, they stared at the waves—something Peter will repeat in Matthew 14:30. • The calm that follows His command reinforces that nothing external—not even forces of nature—can threaten those held by Him (John 10:28). Do you still have no faith? The second question presses further: fear reveals a deficiency of trust. • “Still” recalls prior miracles they personally witnessed—raising Peter’s mother-in-law (Mark 1:31), cleansing a leper (1:42), healing the paralytic (2:12). The disciples had ample evidence of His authority. • Faith, in biblical terms, is confidence in God’s character and word (Hebrews 11:6). Their panic implied that, at that moment, they doubted both. • Jesus ties faith to obedience and rest. When He said, “Let us cross to the other side” (Mark 4:35), that word should have settled the outcome. Compare Joshua facing the Jordan (Joshua 3:13) or Paul during his storm, trusting God’s promise of safety (Acts 27:24-25). • The question invites growth. Later, after the resurrection, these same men will face imprisonments and martyrdom without flinching (Acts 4:19-20; 12:2). The journey from fear to bold faith begins here. summary Mark 4:40 shows that Jesus links fear to a lack of faith. When we forget His presence and promises, storms loom larger than the Savior. Yet His calm command over creation proves He is fully trustworthy. The remedy for fear is renewed faith—fixing our eyes on the One who rules wind, waves, and every circumstance of life. |
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