Mark 4:30-41

Living Bible

³⁰ Jesus asked, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story shall I use to illustrate it? ^31-32 It is like a tiny mustard seed! Though this is one of the smallest of seeds, yet it grows to become one of the largest of plants, with long branches where birds can build their nests and be sheltered.”

³³ He used many such illustrations to teach the people as much as they were ready to understand.^{[a] 34} In fact, he taught only by illustrations in his public teaching, but afterwards, when he was alone with his disciples, he would explain his meaning to them.

³⁵ As evening fell, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” ³⁶ So they took him just as he was and started out, leaving the crowds behind (though other boats followed). ³⁷ But soon a terrible storm arose. High waves began to break into the boat until it was nearly full of water and about to sink. ³⁸ Jesus was asleep at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. Frantically they wakened him, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you even care that we are all about to drown?”

³⁹ Then he rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Quiet down!” And the wind fell, and there was a great calm!

⁴⁰ And he asked them, “Why were you so fearful? Don’t you even yet have confidence in me?”

⁴¹ And they were filled with awe and said among themselves, “Who is this man, that even the winds and seas obey him?”