Mark 4:38
New International Version
Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

New Living Translation
Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”

English Standard Version
But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”

Berean Standard Bible
But Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him and said, “Teacher, don’t You care that we are perishing?”

Berean Literal Bible
And He was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. And they awaken Him and say to Him, "Teacher, is it no concern to You that we perish?"

King James Bible
And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

New King James Version
But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

New American Standard Bible
And yet Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

NASB 1995
Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

NASB 1977
And He Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

Legacy Standard Bible
And Jesus Himself was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion; and they got Him up and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

Amplified Bible
But Jesus was in the stern, asleep [with His head] on the [sailor’s leather] cushion. And they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are about to die?”

Christian Standard Bible
He was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher! Don’t you care that we’re going to die? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But He was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him up and said to Him, “Teacher! Don’t You care that we’re going to die?”

American Standard Version
And he himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion: and they awake him, and say unto him, Teacher, carest thou not that we perish?

Contemporary English Version
Jesus was in the back of the boat with his head on a pillow, and he was asleep. His disciples woke him and said, "Teacher, don't you care that we're about to drown?"

English Revised Version
And he himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But he was sleeping on a cushion in the back of the boat. So they woke him up and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care that we're going to die?"

Good News Translation
Jesus was in the back of the boat, sleeping with his head on a pillow. The disciples woke him up and said, "Teacher, don't you care that we are about to die?"

International Standard Version
But Jesus was in the back of the boat, asleep on a cushion. So they woke him up and asked him, "Teacher, don't you care that we're going to die?"

Majority Standard Bible
But Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him and said, ?Teacher, don?t You care that we are perishing??

NET Bible
But he was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. They woke him up and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care that we are about to die?"

New Heart English Bible
And he himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion, and they woke him up, and told him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are dying?"

Webster's Bible Translation
And he was in the hinder part of the boat, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say to him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

Weymouth New Testament
But He Himself was in the stern asleep, with His head on the cushion: so they woke Him. "Rabbi," they cried, "is it nothing to you that we are drowning?"

World English Bible
He himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and asked him, “Teacher, don’t you care that we are dying?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and He Himself was on the stern, sleeping on the pillow, and they wake Him up, and say to Him, “Teacher, are You not caring that we perish?”

Berean Literal Bible
And He was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. And they awaken Him and say to Him, "Teacher, is it no concern to You that we perish?"

Young's Literal Translation
and he himself was upon the stern, upon the pillow sleeping, and they wake him up, and say to him, 'Teacher, art thou not caring that we perish?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he was upon the back part of the ship, sleeping upon a pillow: and they aroused him, and say to him, Teacher, carest thou not that we perish?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he was in the hinder part of the ship, sleeping upon a pillow; and they awake him, and say to him: Master, doth it not concern thee that we perish?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he was in the stern of the boat, sleeping on a pillow. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, does it not concern you that we are perishing?”

New American Bible
Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”

New Revised Standard Version
But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But Jesus was sleeping on a blanket in the stern of the boat; and they came and roused him and said to him, Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But Yeshua was sleeping on a pillow in the stern of the ship and they came and awakened him and they were saying to him, “Our Master, do you not care that we are perishing?!”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on the pillow. And they awoke him, and said to him: Teacher, carest thou not that we perish?

Godbey New Testament
And He was in the stern, sleeping on a pillow: and they awaken Him, and say to Him; Teacher, is there no care to thee that we perish?

Haweis New Testament
and he was in the stern, sleeping on a pillow: and they awoke him, and say unto him, Master, is it no concern to thee that we are perishing?

Mace New Testament
whilst Jesus was at the stern, asleep on a pillow: upon which they awak'd him, crying out, master, have you so little concern to let us sink? then he rose,

Weymouth New Testament
But He Himself was in the stern asleep, with His head on the cushion: so they woke Him. "Rabbi," they cried, "is it nothing to you that we are drowning?"

Worrell New Testament
And He Himself was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion; and they awake Him, and say to Him, "Teacher, is it no concern to Thee that we perish?"

Worsley New Testament
And He was in the stern asleep on a pillow: and they awake Him, and say unto Him, Master, art thou under no concern that we are perishing?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus Calms the Storm
37Soon a violent windstorm came up, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was being swamped. 38But Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him and said, “Teacher, don’t You care that we are perishing?” 39Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. “Silence!” He commanded. “Be still!” And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm.…

Cross References
Matthew 8:24-26
Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was engulfed by the waves. But Jesus was sleeping. / The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” / “You of little faith,” Jesus replied, “why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was perfectly calm.

Luke 8:23-25
As they sailed, He fell asleep, and a windstorm came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. / The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters, and they subsided, and all was calm. / “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!”

Jonah 1:5-6
The sailors were afraid, and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the ship’s cargo into the sea to lighten the load. But Jonah had gone down to the lowest part of the vessel, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep. / The captain approached him and said, “How can you sleep? Get up and call upon your God. Perhaps this God will consider us, so that we may not perish.”

Psalm 107:28-30
Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. / He calmed the storm to a whisper, and the waves of the sea were hushed. / They rejoiced in the silence, and He guided them to the harbor they desired.

Matthew 14:30-31
But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” / Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?”

John 6:18-20
A strong wind was blowing, and the sea grew agitated. / When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the sea—and they were terrified. / But Jesus spoke up: “It is I; do not be afraid.”

Psalm 44:23-24
Wake up, O Lord! Why are You sleeping? Arise! Do not reject us forever. / Why do You hide Your face and forget our affliction and oppression?

Isaiah 51:9-10
Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD. Wake up as in days past, as in generations of old. Was it not You who cut Rahab to pieces, who pierced through the dragon? / Was it not You who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made a road in the depths of the sea for the redeemed to cross over?

Nahum 1:4
He rebukes the sea and dries it up; He makes all the rivers run dry. Bashan and Carmel wither, and the flower of Lebanon wilts.

Exodus 14:21-22
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove back the sea with a strong east wind that turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, / and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left.

Job 38:8-11
Who enclosed the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, / when I made the clouds its garment and thick darkness its blanket, / when I fixed its boundaries and set in place its bars and doors, ...

Psalm 65:7
You stilled the roaring of the seas, the pounding of their waves, and the tumult of the nations.

Psalm 89:9
You rule the raging sea; when its waves mount up, You still them.

Psalm 93:3-4
The floodwaters have risen, O LORD; the rivers have raised their voice; the seas lift up their pounding waves. / Above the roar of many waters—the mighty breakers of the sea—the LORD on high is majestic.

Psalm 121:4
Behold, the Protector of Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.


Treasury of Scripture

And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say to him, Master, care you not that we perish?

in the.

John 4:6
Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.

Hebrews 2:17
Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

Hebrews 4:15
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

and they.

1 Kings 18:27-29
And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked…

Job 8:5,6
If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty; …

Psalm 44:23,24
Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever…

carest.

Psalm 10:1,2
Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble? …

Psalm 22:1,2
To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? …

Psalm 77:7-10
Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more? …

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Asleep Awake Awaking Boat Care Carest Cried Cushion Danger Destruction Drown Drowning Dying Head Him Hinder Jesus Master Part Perish Perishing Pillow Rabbi Ship Sleeping Stern Teacher Wake Woke
Mark 4
1. The parable of the sower,
14. and the meaning thereof.
21. We must communicate the light of our knowledge to others.
26. The parable of the seed growing secretly;
30. and of the mustard seed.
35. Jesus stills the storm on the sea.














But Jesus was in the stern
The "stern" refers to the back part of the boat, a place often associated with control and direction. In the context of ancient seafaring, the stern was where the helmsman would steer the vessel. Jesus being in the stern symbolizes His ultimate authority and control over the situation, even when it appears He is inactive. This imagery reassures believers that Christ is always in control, even when He seems distant or silent.

sleeping on the cushion
The act of "sleeping" here is significant, as it demonstrates Jesus' humanity and His ability to experience physical exhaustion. The "cushion" indicates a specific place of rest, suggesting that Jesus was intentionally at peace amidst the chaos. This scene invites believers to trust in God's peace and rest, even in the midst of life's storms. It also serves as a reminder of Jesus' dual nature as both fully God and fully man.

So they woke Him
The disciples' decision to "wake" Jesus reflects their desperation and fear. In the original Greek, the word used implies a sense of urgency and need. This action can be seen as a metaphor for prayer, where believers, in times of distress, call upon the Lord for help. It underscores the importance of turning to Jesus in moments of crisis, trusting in His power and presence.

and said, 'Teacher, don’t You care
Addressing Jesus as "Teacher" highlights the disciples' recognition of His authority and wisdom. However, their question, "don’t You care," reveals their doubt and misunderstanding of His character. This phrase challenges believers to examine their own faith and trust in God's goodness, especially when circumstances seem dire. It serves as a reminder that God's care is constant, even when it is not immediately apparent.

that we are perishing?
The word "perishing" conveys a sense of imminent danger and loss. In the context of the storm, it reflects the disciples' fear of physical death. Spiritually, it can also symbolize the fear of eternal separation from God. This phrase calls believers to remember that Jesus came to save humanity from perishing, offering eternal life and security in Him. It encourages Christians to trust in Jesus' power to save and protect, both physically and spiritually.

(38) Asleep on a pillow.--Better, on the pillow--the cushion commonly to be found in the boat's stern.

Carest thou not that we perish?--St. Mark alone gives this touch of despairing expostulation, in which we trace the specific want of faith which was afterwards reproved.

Verse 38. - And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow; more literally, he himself was in the stern (η΅ν αὐτὸς ἐπὶ τῇ πρύμνῃ) asleep on the cushion (ἐπὶ τὸ προσκεφάλαιον καθεύδων). He had changed his posture. He was weary with the labour of addressing the great multitude. He had sought the momentary rest which the crossing of the lake offered to him. He was resting his head upon the low bench which served both for a seat and for a pillow. But while he slept as man, he was watchful as God. "Behold, he that keepeth Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps." Master, carest thou not that we perish? This question savours of impatience, if not of irreverence. Who so likely to have put it as St. Peter? Nor would he be likely afterwards to forget that he had put it. Hence, probably, its appearance in St. Mark's Gospel.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
But
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[Jesus]
αὐτὸς (autos)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

was
ἦν (ēn)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

the
τῇ (tē)
Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

stern,
πρύμνῃ (prymnē)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4403: The stern of a ship. Feminine of prumnus; the stern of a ship.

sleeping
καθεύδων (katheudōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2518: To sleep, be sleeping. From kata and heudo; to lie down to rest, i.e. to fall asleep.

on
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

cushion.
προσκεφάλαιον (proskephalaion)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4344: A pillow or cushion. Neuter of a presumed compound of pros and kephale; something for the head, i.e. A cushion.

[So]
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

they woke
ἐγείρουσιν (egeirousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1453: (a) I wake, arouse, (b) I raise up. Probably akin to the base of agora; to waken, i.e. Rouse.

Him
αὐτὸν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

said,
λέγουσιν (legousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

“Teacher,
Διδάσκαλε (Didaskale)
Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1320: A teacher, master. From didasko; an instructor.

don’t You care
μέλει (melei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3199: It is a care, it is an object of anxiety, it concerns. A primary verb; to be of interest to, i.e. To concern.

that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

we are perishing?”
ἀπολλύμεθα (apollymetha)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 622: From apo and the base of olethros; to destroy fully, literally or figuratively.


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NT Gospels: Mark 4:38 He himself was in the stern asleep (Mar Mk Mr)
Mark 4:37
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