Mark 4:41

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

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The disciples address one another immediately after Jesus rebukes the storm, following his direct question about their fear and faith. They stand on the boat, observing the sudden stillness of the wind and sea.

The words — ἐφοβήθησαν (ephobēthēsan) translates as "they feared," paired with μέγαν φόβον (megan phobon) for "great fear." This lexical combination denotes a profound, overwhelming reaction rather than ordinary caution.

The thread — The pattern of divine authority over nature and the resulting fear appears in Luke 8:25, 1 Samuel 12:18, and Job 38:11. These passages consistently link God’s command over creation with the awe it provokes in witnesses.

Why it lands — The verse records the disciples’ inquiry into Jesus’ identity before it addresses the reader. It requires a direct assessment of his authority that moves beyond natural explanation to divine allegiance.

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

Cross-references

Luke 8:25 “Where is your faith?” He asked. Frightened and amazed, they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him!”
1 Samuel 12:18 So Samuel called to the LORD, and on that day the LORD sent thunder and rain. As a result, all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.
Job 38:11 and I declared: ‘You may come this far, but no farther; here your proud waves must stop’?
1 Samuel 12:24 Above all, fear the LORD and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you.
Psalms 89:7 In the council of the holy ones, God is greatly feared, and awesome above all who surround Him.
Jonah 1:9 “I am a Hebrew,” replied Jonah. “I worship the LORD, the God of the heavens, who made the sea and the dry land.”
Jonah 1:15 Then they picked up Jonah and cast him into the sea, and the raging sea grew calm.
Matthew 8:27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey Him!”
Matthew 14:32 And when they had climbed back into the boat, the wind died down.
Mark 5:33 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him trembling in fear, and she told Him the whole truth.