And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man 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?”
- BSB Overwhelmed with fear, they asked one another, “Who 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 8:25And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.
- Job 38:11And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?
- 1 Sam 12:18–20So Samuel called unto the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.
- Ps 89:7God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.
- Jonah 1:15–16So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging.
- Jonah 1:9–10And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land.
- Matt 8:27But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
- 1 Sam 12:24Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.
- Mark 5:33But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.
- Matt 14:32And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
- Rev 15:4Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.
- Heb 12:28Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
- Luke 4:36And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.
- Mal 2:5My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name.
- Mark 7:37And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to 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.