Mar 4:33-41 | RWP | e4.org | As they were able to hear it ( καθως ηδυναντο ακουειν ). Only in Mark. Imperfect indicative. See for ου δυνασθε βασταζειν , not able to bear. Jesus used parables now largely, but there was a limit even to the use of them to these men. He gave them the mystery of the kingdom in this veiled parabolic form which was the only feasible form at this stage. But even so they did not understand what they heard.

‏ Mark 4:33-41

As they were able to hear it ( καθως ηδυναντο ακουειν ). Only in Mark. Imperfect indicative. See Joh 16:12 for ου δυνασθε βασταζειν, not able to bear. Jesus used parables now largely, but there was a limit even to the use of them to these men. He gave them the mystery of the kingdom in this veiled parabolic form which was the only feasible form at this stage. But even so they did not understand what they heard.

But privately to his disciples he expounded all things ( κατ' ιδιαν δε τοις ιδιοις μαθηταις επελυεν παντα ). To his own ( ιδιοις ) disciples in private, in distinction from the mass of the people Jesus was in the habit (imperfect tense, επελυεν ) of

disclosing, revealing, all things ( παντα ) in plain language without the parabolic form used before the crowds. This verb επιλυω occurs in the N.T. only here and in Ac 19:39 where the town-clerk of Ephesus says of the troubles by the mob: "It shall be settled in the regular assembly" ( εν τη εννομω εκκλησια επιλυθησετα ). First future passive indicative from επιλυω. The word means to give additional ( επ ) loosening ( λυω ), so to explain, to make plainer, clearer, even to the point of revelation. This last is the idea of the substantive in 2Pe 1:20 where even the Revised Version has it: "No prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation" ( πασα προφητεια γραφης ιδιας επιλυσεως ου γινετα ). Here the use of γινετα (comes) with the ablative case ( επιλυσεως ) and the explanation given in verse 2Pe 1:21 shows plainly that disclosure or revelation to the prophet is what is meant, not interpretation of what the prophet said. The prophetic impulse and message came from God through the Holy Spirit. In private the further disclosures of Jesus amounted to fresh revelations concerning the mysteries of the kingdom of God.

When even was come ( οψιας γενομενης ). Genitive absolute. It had been a busy day. The blasphemous accusation, the visit of the mother and brothers and possibly sisters, to take him home, leaving the crowded house for the sea, the first parables by the sea, then more in the house, and now out of the house and over the sea.

Let us go over unto the other side ( διελθωμεν εις το περαν ). Hortatory (volitive) subjunctive, second aorist active tense. They were on the western side and a row over to the eastern shore in the evening would be a delightful change and refreshing to the weary Christ. It was the only way to escape the crowds.

Even as he was ( ως ην ). Vulgate, ita ut erat. Bengel says: sine apparatu. That is, they take Jesus along ( παραλαμβανουσιν ) without previous preparation.

Other boats ( αλλα πλοια ). This detail also is given only by Mark. Some people had got into boats to get close to Jesus. There was a crowd even on the lake.

There ariseth a great storm of wind ( γινετα λαιλαπς μεγαλη ανεμου ). Mark's vivid historical present again. Mt 8:24 has εγενετο (arose) and Lu 8:23 κατεβη (came down). Luke has also λαιλαπς, but Matthew σεισμος (tempest), a violent upheaval like an earthquake. Λαιλαπς is an old word for these cyclonic gusts or storms. Luke's "came down" shows that the storm fell suddenly from Mount Hermon down into the Jordan Valley and smote the Sea of Galilee violently at its depth of 682 feet below the Mediterranean Sea. The hot air at this depth draws the storm down with sudden power. These sudden storms continue to this day on the Sea of Galilee. The word occurs in the LXX of the whirlwind out of which God answered Job (Job 38:1) and in Jon 1:4.

The waves beat into the boat ( τα κυματα επεβαλλεν εις το πλοιον ). Imperfect tense (were beating) vividly picturing the rolling over the sides of the boat "so that the boat was covered with the waves" (Mt 8:24). Mark has it: "insomuch that the boat was now filling" ( ωστε ηδη γεμιζεσθα το πλοιον ). Graphic description of the plight of the disciples.

Asleep on the cushion ( επ το προσκεφαλαιον καθευδων ). Mark also mentions the cushion or bolster and the stern of the boat ( εν τη πρυμνη ). Mt 8:24 notes that Jesus was sleeping ( εκαθευδεν ), Luke that

he fell asleep ( αφυπνωσεν, ingressive aorist indicative). He was worn out from the toil of this day.

They awake him ( εγειρουσιν αυτον ). So Mark's graphic present. Matthew and Luke both have "awoke him." Mark has also what the others do not: "Carest thou not?" ( ου μελε σοι; ). It was a rebuke to Jesus for sleeping in such a storm. We are perishing ( απολλυμεθα, linear present middle). Precisely this same form also in Mt 8:25 and Lu 8:24.

Rebuked the wind ( επετιμησεν τω ανεμω ) as in Mt 8:26 and Lu 8:24. He spoke to the sea also. All three Gospels speak of the sudden calm ( γαληνη ) and the rebuke to the disciples for this lack of faith.

Why are ye fearful? ( Τ δειλο εστε; ). They had the Lord of the wind and the waves with them in the boat. He was still Master even if asleep in the storm.

Have ye not yet faith? ( Ουπω εχετε πιστιν; ). Not yet had they come to feel that Jesus was really Lord of nature. They had accepted his Messiaship, but all the conclusions from it they had not yet drawn. How like us in our troubles they were!

They feared exceedingly ( εφοβηθησαν φοβον μεγαν ). Cognate accusative with the first aorist passive indicative. They feared a great fear. Mt 8:27 and Lu 8:22 mention that "they marvelled." But there was fear in it also.

Who then is this? ( Τις αρα ουτος εστιν; ). No wonder that they feared if this One could command the wind and the waves at will as well as demons and drive out all diseases and speak such mysteries in parables. They were growing in their apprehension and comprehension of Jesus Christ. They had much yet to learn. There is much yet for us today to learn or seek to grow in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. This incident opened the eyes and minds of the disciples to the majesty of Jesus.