Commentaries
4:35-41 Christ was asleep in the storm, to try the faith of his disciples, and to stir them up to pray. Their faith appeared weak, and their prayers strong. When our wicked hearts are like the troubled sea which cannot rest, when our passions are unruly, let us think we hear the law of Christ, saying, Be silent, be dumb. When without are fightings, and within are fears, and the spirits are in a tumult, if he say, Peace, be still, there is a great calm at once. Why are ye so fearful? Though there may be cause for some fear, yet not for such fear as this. Those may suspect their faith, who can have such a thought as that Jesus careth not though his people perish. How imperfect are the best of saints! Faith and fear take their turns while we are in this world; but ere long, fear will be overcome, and faith will be lost in sight.
Mr 4:35-5:20. Jesus Crossing the Sea of Galilee, Miraculously Stills a Tempest—He Cures the Demoniac of Gadara. ( = Mt 8:23-34; Lu 8:22-39).
The time of this section is very definitely marked by our Evangelist, and by him alone, in the opening words.
Jesus Stills a Tempest on the Sea of Galilee (Mr 4:35-41).
35. And the same day—on which He spoke the memorable parables of the Mr 4:1-32, and of Mt 13:1-52.
when the even was come—(See on [1435]Mr 6:35). This must have been the earlier evening—what we should call the afternoon—since after all that passed on the other side, when He returned to the west side, the people were waiting for Him in great numbers (Mr 4:21; Lu 8:40).
he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side—to the east side of the lake, to grapple with a desperate case of possession, and set the captive free, and to give the Gadarenes an opportunity of hearing the message of salvation, amid the wonder which that marvellous cure was fitted to awaken and the awe which the subsequent events could not but strike into them.