Bible Strands
Mark 4:37
Soon a violent windstorm came up, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was being swamped.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator describes the disciples' boat immediately after they board Jesus and depart from the shore. They are in the middle of the lake crossing when the weather turns.
The words — The Greek λαῖλαψ (lailaps) denotes a sudden, destructive storm, while μεγὴλη (megalē) intensifies it as violent. These terms establish the immediate physical threat facing the vessel.
The thread — The verse records a sudden storm and swamping waves that parallel Job 1:19 and the identical lake crossing in Luke 8:22 and Matthew 8:23. Each account places Jesus in a threatened boat before He addresses the crisis.
Why it lands — The text states a factual maritime emergency to establish the disciples' imminent peril. It requires the reader to acknowledge the physical danger that precedes any request for divine intervention.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
Cross-references
- Matthew 8:23 When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him.
- Job 1:19 when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on the young people and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
- Luke 8:22 One day Jesus said to His disciples, “Let us cross to the other side of the lake.” So He got into a boat with them and set out.
- Psalms 107:23 Others went out to sea in ships, conducting trade on the mighty waters.
- Jonah 1:4 Then the LORD hurled a great wind upon the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship was in danger of breaking apart.
- Job 1:12 “Very well,” said the LORD to Satan. “Everything he has is in your hands, but you must not lay a hand on the man himself.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.
- Acts 27:14 But it was not long before a cyclone called the Northeaster swept down across the island.
- 2 Corinthians 11:25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea.
- Acts 27:41 But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was being broken up by the pounding of the waves.