Mark 6:51, commentary and pictures

He climbed aboard the wave-battered boat where His disciples had struggled for hours against a deadly tempest in obedience to His command, and the moment He stepped in the wind stopped and they were left utterly astonished beyond measure. He had watched them with tender care through their despair and come to them walking calmly over the raging water, and His voice telling them who He was turned their terror that He was a messenger of death into the certainty that He was their Deliverer. His presence instantly changed their horror and despair into joyful faith with no more dread of death, so completely reassuring them that the storm was forgotten. The sudden stilling of the wind proves His supreme power that even sea and waves obey, and those on board bowed before Him with thankful hearts confessing that He is truly the Son of God.

The Stormy Crossing

Mark 6:51 belongs to the account of Jesus joining the disciples' boat during a storm on the lake, coming to them walking on the rough water toward them while they were frightened. The disciples had crossed the sea in obedience to Christ's command and were caught in a terrible tempest their vessel would not obey. They were driven helpless by the wind until they laid down their oars in despair and expected to perish after hours of struggling against it. Jesus, left on the other shore, came to them walking calmly on the boisterous, white-capped waves while tempest and billows threatened death. Bewildered and hopeless, they mistook His appearance on the water for a sure sign of immediate death and cried out in great fear.

He had watched over them with tender concern and had not lost sight of them. The help they received came after their hearts were humbled and they prayed. When He stepped up into the wave-buffeted boat and took His place in it the wind and storm suddenly ceased. After their struggle the ship reached its destination immediately with a sudden safe landing, so the night of horror was succeeded by the light of dawn.

Jesus held Peter till both were safely seated in the boat among their joyful companions, with Peter subdued and silent because pride and unbelief had nearly cost him his life. The event was later recalled as an earlier rescue from danger at sea, giving the disciples reason to trust that Jesus had not abandoned them. The scene reveals the majesty of God and His works in the high running waves and dashing spray of the ocean. God holds the winds in His hand and controls the waters, beholding the highest heavens and the midst of the sea at one glance. Though human beings on the broad deep waters are mere specks in His sight, angels are sent from His excellent glory to guard their little boat as it careens over the waves.

The Deliverer Acknowledged

His voice heard above the roar, identifying Himself and bidding them not to fear, silenced their fear. That word revealed Him as the messenger of life rather than death. They recognized Him as their Deliverer, and His presence reassured them so completely that the storm was forgotten.

His coming to them into the ship changed the scene at once from the horror of despair to the joy of faith and hope. Their fear gave way to joy, for with Christ with them they felt no more anxiety or dread of death.

When He stepped into the boat the wind ceased, and they were overwhelmed with amazement in themselves beyond measure and wondered.

The disciples and others on board bowed at the feet of Jesus with thankful hearts and confessed that of a truth He is the Son of God. The ceasing of the wind proves His supreme power that even sea and waves obey, so He is to be obeyed and trusted for protection as the One who notices even a falling sparrow.

When Peter took his eyes from Jesus to see the admiration of others he lost guidance and doubt and fear seized him. Nothing but an eye firmly fixed on the Saviour enables treading the stormy billows of the world.