“And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.”
A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped — the Sea of Galilee is notorious for sudden, violent storms caused by the topography: cool air from the surrounding mountains meeting warm lake air can produce severe, fast-developing storms. The waves breaking over the boat and the near-swamping communicate genuine danger, not merely discomfort. These are experienced fishermen who know this lake — their terror in the next verse is not hysterical but professional: they recognize a life-threatening situation.
Church Fathers on Mark 4:37
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
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