Overwhelmed with fear, they asked one another, “Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”
Parallel translations
- WEB They were greatly afraid, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
- KJV And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
- NKJV And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
- NASB They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who, then, is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”
- NLT The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The disciples are filled with awe and wonder who Jesus is, that even wind and sea obey him.
Overview
Their fear turns to reverent astonishment as they grasp that no mere man commands the elements. The question 'Who then is this?' is the central question of Mark's Gospel, pointing toward Jesus' divine identity. The wind and sea obey him because he is the Lord of creation, God in the flesh.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- 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!”
- Job 38:11and I declared: ‘You may come this far, but no farther; here your proud waves must stop’?
- 1 Sam 12:18–20So 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.
- Ps 89:7In the council of the holy ones, God is greatly feared, and awesome above all who surround Him.
- Jonah 1:15–16At this, they picked up Jonah and cast him into the sea, and the raging sea grew calm.
- Jonah 1:9–10“I am a Hebrew,” replied Jonah. “I worship the LORD, the God of the heavens, who made the sea and the dry land.”
- Matt 8:27The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey Him!”
- 1 Sam 12:24Above all, fear the LORD and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you.
- Mark 5:33Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him trembling in fear, and she told Him the whole truth.
- Matt 14:32And when they had climbed back into the boat, the wind died down.
- Rev 15:4Who will not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed.”
- Heb 12:28Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.
- Luke 4:36All the people were overcome with amazement and asked one another, “What is this message? With authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!”
- Mal 2:5“My covenant with him was one of life and peace, which I gave to him; it called for reverence, and he revered Me and stood in awe of My name.
- Mark 7:37The people were utterly astonished and said, “He has done all things well! He makes even the deaf hear and the mute speak!”
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Christ at the center
Mark drives urgently to the cross, showing Jesus the Son of God as the suffering Servant who 'came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'
How Mark 4:41 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.