Get To Know Bible Places: The Sea of Galilee Part Two

New Testament Events

Mark 4:35-41 

A sudden storm arose on Jesus and the 12 as they were making their way across the Sea of Galilee. These sudden storms are common on the Sea of Galilee. The sea is situated 685 ft below sea level surrounded by hills that are 1300-2500 feet high. As winds come across these hills they sweep down quickly and with great force. The Spirit uses the Greek word lailaps (λαῖλαψ) in Greek for storm which is the same common word used in Greek for a hurricane (Strongs, 2978). This emphasizes the great brute force of the wind and what is accomplished against the disciples and their fishing boat. Wright adds, 

The effect is particularly strong in the winter and during the spring and fall transitional seasons when the weather can change with little warning. The same phenomenon takes place, though in reverse direction and with stronger effect, whenever eastern desert winds blow off the Transjordan Heights. This, too, is noticeable in the fall and spring. In both cases the result is the same, the waters stir up quickly. Local fishermen report the highest waves they have experienced reach nearly six feet (nearly 2m), creating walls of water plenty high enough to swamp the low-slung fishing boats of the first century AD. (Wright, 237).

Mark 4 certainly describes a very powerful storm, but more than the word used by the Spirit and the geographical location is the testimony of the disciples when one considers that among them were fishermen, 11 of whom had lived near the Sea of Galilee yet feared this storm so greatly that they accused the Lord of not being concerned with their peril (Tenney, 73). Jesus rebuked the wind and said peace be still. The response of the previously doubtful disciples was telling. “Who then is this that even the wind and the sea obey him?”  An instance of the Sea of Galilee was one that led the disciples to question truly who the Son of Man was. They had witnessed many miraculous works up to this point, but the Lord’s ability to stop the storm was significant to them. 

Matthew 14:22-33

Another passage comes to mind when we consider the significance of the Sea of Galilee as a setting in the ministry of Jesus. In this circumstance, we will recognize that the Lord has secluded Himself to pray in one of the surrounding mountains along the sea to pray as He often did. The disciples were instructed to go across the sea to the other side.  Jesus made His way onto the water and by the time His disciples saw Him, they were already 3 to 4 miles from shore (cf. John 6:18). That night, the disciples were on a small fishing boat that was being battered by the furious wind and waves. Matthew writes that the winds were contrary, which indicates that the winds themselves were driving the disciples from their desired destination. They were rowing, but it was no help to them. Mark tells us that they were distressed in their rowing (cf. Mark 6:48). During the fourth watch of the night (3:00 AM-6:00 AM) something will change. 

Here are the facts: the boat was battered by the waves, and the wind was driving them off course. The disciples were struggling, and while this was going on, Jesus was making His way to the boat by walking on water. As they saw a figure approach, the disciples did not find comfort in it, but rather were in terror. They cried out in fear and exclaimed, “It is a ghost!” At this time and place in history, the sea was believed to be the home of evil spirits. Several of the false gods of the peoples who resided among and around the Jews were said to live within the sea.  It was the darkest hours of the night, the wind had commandeered the boat, the waves were tempestuous, and he was in the middle of a lake where, until recently, he thought Jesus was a ghost. Peter made a choice, and he committed to it. He listened for Jesus' command, and then he stepped out of the boat. It was at this moment that Peter walked on the water; amid the chaos, he did something that had never been done, nor has it been done since. 

The surrounding perils came back into view for Peter. Peter saw the force of the wind and became frightened, so frightened that he began to sink. Up to this point, Peter had asked Jesus to call him out, had stepped out, and had walked toward Him. Yet, in a moment, he took his eyes off Jesus. That which was a great triumph of faith quickly became a defeat in doubt. In one perilous moment, his assurance plunged, and he nearly drowned. Likewise, we cannot expect any other result. We cannot expect that if we take our eyes off Jesus, we will maintain any stability. 

As Peter was about to be swallowed up by the stormy sea, he cried out “Lord save me,” and Jesus stretched out His hand, taking hold of Peter. Jesus' reaction is pointed: He replies, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” The word for doubt is distazo (διστάζω), meaning to be divided into or going two different ways. There really is no better definition when we consider the cause of Peter’s failure. He was divided between trusting the Lord to sustain his walk and the wind that threatened his security (Beavers, 92-95). 

The reaction of the disciples goes further on this occasion than it did in Mark 4. This time the reaction is worship and acknowledgement of Jesus as the Son of God. These two instances teach us much about the significance of the Sea of Galilee as a setting during our Lord’s earthly ministry and the impact on His disciples. 

Works Cited: 

Beavers, R. D. The Courage to Be Holy. Ironworks Press, 2022.

Tenney, Merrill C. New Testament Times. Eerdmans, 1965.

Wright, Paul H. Holman Illustrated Guide to Biblical Geography: Reading the Land. B&H Publishing Group, 2020.