And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

MARK 4:38KJV
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Mark 4:38 (KJV)

What does Mark 4:38 mean?

Mark 4:38 describes how Jesus was asleep at the back of the boat during a dangerous storm, while his disciples, frightened for their lives, woke him up and asked if he cared that they were about to die. The verse shows the disciples’ fear and their sense that Jesus seemed unconcerned about their desperate situation.

In this scene, Jesus is physically present but resting, showing his humanity, while the disciples are panicking as the storm threatens to sink their boat. The disciples address Jesus as “Master” and question whether he cares about their survival, revealing both their dependence on him and their anxiety. This moment sets up the dramatic contrast between Jesus’ calm and the disciples’ fear, leading into the miracle that follows.

The Greek behind Mark 4:38

  • ὀπίσω (not tagged, but implied as "hinder part") and πλοῖον (G4403, ploiōn, "ship"): The verse places Jesus specifically at the back of the boat, emphasizing his physical location and the detail that he was asleep, which highlights his calmness amid chaos.
  • προσκεφάλαιον (G4344, proskephalaion, "pillow"): This word means a cushion or headrest, showing that Jesus was not just dozing but intentionally resting, adding to the sense of peace in contrast to the storm.
  • διδάσκαλε (G1320, didaskale, "Master" or "Teacher"): The disciples address Jesus with respect, acknowledging his authority even as they question his concern for them.
  • μέλει (G3199, melei, "carest"): This word carries the sense of genuine concern or interest, so the disciples are not just asking if Jesus notices, but if he truly cares about their fate.

Why Mark 4:38 matters

  • Mark 4:38 highlights the disciples’ fear and their struggle to trust Jesus in a crisis, making their humanity and vulnerability very relatable.
  • The verse sets up a key moment where Jesus’ calmness in the storm contrasts sharply with the disciples’ panic, preparing the reader for the miracle that follows.
  • By showing the disciples questioning Jesus’ care, Mark 4:38 invites readers to consider how fear can cloud trust, a theme that runs through many stories in the Gospels.

Where else these words appear

“ship” Greek G4403 · used in 3 verses

  • Acts 27:29 Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.
  • Acts 27:41 And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.

“awake” Greek G1326 · used in 7 verses

  • Matthew 1:24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
  • Luke 8:24 And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.
  • 2 Peter 1:13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;

“carest” Greek G3199 · used in 10 verses

  • Matthew 22:16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.
  • John 10:13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
  • 1 Corinthians 7:21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.

“asleep” Greek G2518 · used in 20 verses

  • Matthew 8:24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
  • Matthew 26:45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
  • Mark 14:41 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.