“And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.”
That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, let us go over to the other side — the storm stilling that follows is introduced by Jesus' own initiative: he proposes crossing the lake. The other side is the Decapolis region — Gentile territory. The crossing is not accidental but purposive: Jesus is heading toward the demon-possessed man of chapter 5, toward Gentile mission territory. The evening timing creates the darkness in which the storm becomes most frightening. Let us go over — the disciples are included; they will cross together.
Church Fathers on Mark 4:35
After His teaching, they come from that place to the sea, and are tossed by the waves.
Therefore He allowed them to fall into the fear of danger, that they might experience His power in themselves, who saw others benefitted by Him. But He was sleeping upon the pillow of the ship, that is, on a wooden one.
Or else the ship into which He embarked, is taken to mean the tree of His passion, by which the faithful attain to the security of the safe shore. The other ships which are said to have been with the Lord signify those who are imbued with faith in the cross of Christ, and are not beaten about by the whirlwind of tribulation; or who, after the storms of temptation, are enjoying the serenity of peace.
Read all 6 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a reflection on this verse
No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!