Mark 4:41

Authorized King James Version

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And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Original Language Analysis

καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 1 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐφοβήθησαν they feared G5399
ἐφοβήθησαν they feared
Strong's: G5399
Word #: 2 of 21
to frighten, i.e., (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e., revere
φόβον exceedingly G5401
φόβον exceedingly
Strong's: G5401
Word #: 3 of 21
alarm or fright
μέγαν G3173
μέγαν
Strong's: G3173
Word #: 4 of 21
big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)
καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 5 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔλεγον said G3004
ἔλεγον said
Strong's: G3004
Word #: 6 of 21
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
πρὸς to G4314
πρὸς to
Strong's: G4314
Word #: 7 of 21
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
ἀλλήλους another G240
ἀλλήλους another
Strong's: G240
Word #: 8 of 21
one another
Τίς What G5101
Τίς What
Strong's: G5101
Word #: 9 of 21
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
ἄρα manner of man G686
ἄρα manner of man
Strong's: G686
Word #: 10 of 21
a particle denoting an inference more or less decisive (as follows)
οὗτός this G3778
οὗτός this
Strong's: G3778
Word #: 11 of 21
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
ἐστιν is G2076
ἐστιν is
Strong's: G2076
Word #: 12 of 21
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
ὅτι that G3754
ὅτι that
Strong's: G3754
Word #: 13 of 21
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 14 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 15 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἄνεμος the wind G417
ἄνεμος the wind
Strong's: G417
Word #: 16 of 21
wind; (plural) by implication, (the four) quarters (of the earth)
καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 17 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡ G3588
ἡ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 18 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θάλασσα the sea G2281
θάλασσα the sea
Strong's: G2281
Word #: 19 of 21
the sea (genitive case or specially)
ὑπακούουσιν obey G5219
ὑπακούουσιν obey
Strong's: G5219
Word #: 20 of 21
to hear under (as a subordinate), i.e., to listen attentively; by implication, to heed or conform to a command or authority
αὐτῷ him G846
αὐτῷ him
Strong's: G846
Word #: 21 of 21
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Analysis & Commentary

The disciples 'feared exceedingly' (ἐφοβήθησαν φόβον μέγαν—'feared a great fear') and asked: 'What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?' Their fear shifted from storm to Jesus—not terror but awe, reverent wonder at His power. The question 'What manner of man?' (Τίς ἄρα οὗτός ἐστιν) expresses astonishment. They realized Jesus transcends ordinary humanity. The answer: He's God incarnate. The phrase 'even the wind and sea obey' recognizes unprecedented authority. Only Yahweh commands creation (Psalm 104:3-4; 107:25-29). The miracle demands response: acknowledge Jesus' deity and submit to His lordship.

Historical Context

Jewish theology firmly maintained that only God controls seas. Creation psalms celebrate Yahweh's sovereignty over waters (Psalm 65:7; 89:9; 93:3-4; 107:23-32). Job emphasizes God alone commands creation (Job 38:8-11). The disciples, steeped in Old Testament, recognized Jesus' act as divine prerogative. This miracle, along with walking on water (Mark 6:45-52), revealed Jesus as Yahweh incarnate. Early church used this miracle apologetically—proving Jesus' deity to Jewish audiences. Church creeds affirm Jesus as Creator (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2), making storm-calming theologically consistent. The question 'What manner of man?' finds answer: God-man, possessing both human and divine natures.

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