Mark 4:40

11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: 12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

quarantine:scripture (2026-07-29) — verbatim-scripture

And he said unto them,.... His disciples, why are ye so fearful? since he was with them in person, whose power to keep and preserve them, they had no room to question, when they reflected on the miracles they had so lately seen performed by him: how is it that ye have no faith?

These verses describe a storm on the sea of Galilee, when our Lord and His disciples were crossing it, and a miracle performed by our Lord in calming the storm in a moment. Few miracles recorded in the Gospel were so likely to strike the minds of the apostles as this. Four of them at least were fishermen. Peter, Andrew, James, and John, had probably known the sea of Galilee, and its storms, from their youth. Few events in our Lord's journeyings to and fro upon earth, contain more rich instruction than the one related in this passage.

In Matthew (Mt 8:26) it is, "Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?" Faith they had, for they applied to Christ for relief: but little, for they were afraid, though Christ was in the ship.

LAST Lord's-Day morning our music was pitched upon a high key. We sought after great faith in the Master's name [Sermon #1963, Volume 33—The Search for Faith.] It struck me that I might, perhaps, have discouraged some of the feebler sort and that, therefore, it would be right, this morning, to follow up that sermon by endeavoring to encourage those of weak faith to exercise it until it becomes stronger—and also to invite those who, as yet have no faith, to venture in the direction of childlike trust. With this brief introduction, let us come at once to our subject.

These verses describe a storm on the sea of Galilee, when our Lord and His disciples were crossing it, and a miracle performed by our Lord in calming the storm in a moment. Few miracles recorded in the Gospel were so likely to strike the minds of the apostles as this. Four of them at least were fishermen. Peter, Andrew, James, and John, had probably known the sea of Galilee, and its storms, from their youth. Few events in our Lord's journeyings to and fro upon earth, contain more rich instruction than the one related in this passage. Let us learn, in the first place, that Christ's service does not exempt His servants from storms . Here were the twelve disciples in the path of duty. They were obediently following Jesus, wherever He went. They were daily attending on His ministry, and hearkening to His word. They were daily testifying to the world, that, whatever Scribes and Pharisees might think, they believed on Jesus, loved Jesus, and were not ashamed to give up all for His sake. Yet here we see these men in trouble, tossed up and down by a tempest, and in danger of being drowned. Let us mark well this lesson. If we are true Christians, we must not expect everything smooth in our journey to heaven. We must count it no strange thing, if we have to endure sicknesses, losses, bereavements, and disappointments, just like other men. Free pardon and full forgiveness, grace along the way, and glory at the end — all this our Savior has promised to give. But He has never promised that we shall have no affliction. He loves us too well to promise that. By affliction He teaches us many precious lessons, which without it we should never learn. By affliction He shows us our emptiness and weakness, draws us to the throne of grace, purifies our affections, weans us from the world, makes us long for heaven.

LAST Lord's-Day morning our music was pitched upon a high key. We sought after great faith in the Master's name [Sermon #1963, Volume 33—The Search for Faith.] It struck me that I might, perhaps, have discouraged some of the feebler sort and that, therefore, it would be right, this morning, to follow up that sermon by endeavoring to encourage those of weak faith to exercise it until it becomes stronger—and also to invite those who, as yet have no faith, to venture in the direction of childlike trust. With this brief introduction, let us come at once to our subject. I should not wonder if the disciples considered that they had much faith in Jesus, their Master and Lord. They had been with Him all day, listening to His teaching, believing it even when they did not understand it. They had afterwards gathered about Him in private to listen to His fuller explanations and they were thankful to be favored with those expositions in which their Lord became their private Tutor. I do not question that they, each one of them, esteemed himself a firm believer in Jesus. How could he tolerate a doubt? But, my Brothers and Sisters, we have, none of us, any idea how scanty our faith really is. When trial comes, the heap from the threshing floor becomes very small beneath the influence of the winnowing fan. After a day of calm service with Jesus, a storm came on and that storm tested their faith and left so little of it that Jesus said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" Remember that we have no more faith at any time than we have in the hour of trial. All that which will not bear to be tested is mere carnal confidence. Fair-weather faith is no faith—the only real faith in Jesus Christ is that which can trust Him when it cannot trace Him—and believe Him when it cannot see Him.

This question may be very properly put to those who have no faith at all—and we intend to so put it in the second part of our discourse. But it was originally put to men who had some faith, men who had faith enough to make them disciples of Christ, faith which brought them to sail in the same vessel with Him. Even when they reproached Him and said, "Care you not that we perish?" they had faith enough to make them call Him, "Master."

This question may be very properly put to those who have no faith at all—and we intend to so put it in the second part of our discourse. But it was originally put to men who had some faith, men who had faith enough to make them disciples of Christ, faith which brought them to sail in the same vessel with Him. Even when they reproached Him and said, "Care you not that we perish?" they had faith enough to make them call Him, "Master." Yet, in comparison with the faith which they ought to have had, Christ calls their faith no faith at all! They were so wavering, so tossed about with unbelief, that though they were His hearty, honest and sincere followers, He yet speaks to them as if they were unbelievers and says to them, "How is it that you have no faith?" I shall address this question, then, first of all, to God's people. And in the next place, to the unconverted. I. First, LET US SPEAK TO GOD'S PEOPLE. Let me say to begin with, that this is a question which must have been peculiarly painful to Him who asked it. The faith in which they were lacking was faith in Him—their Master, their Lord who had loved them from before the foundation of the world and who intended to shed His precious blood for them—and to make them His companions in Glory, world without end! Yet they had no faith in Him! Let the Lord Jesus come to you, my Brothers and Sisters, and I think you will detect much sorrow in the tone of His voice when He asks, "How is it that you have no faith, or so little faith in Me? I have loved you. I have loved you to the death—remember Gethsemane and Golgotha—remember all that I did and am still doing for you. How is it that you doubt Me?" Beloved, if we doubt our fellow men, it is not strange, for Judas is one of a large family.

Why are ye so fearful? - Having me with you. How is it that ye have no faith? - Having already had such proofs of my unlimited power and goodness.