Jesus Calms the Storm
A violent storm threatens to sink the disciples' boat. Jesus wakes from sleep and commands the wind and waves to be still.
Mark 4:35-41, Matthew 8:23-27, Luke 8:22-25
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The Story
That day when evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, 'Let us go over to the other side.' Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat.
A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion.
The disciples woke him and said to him, 'Teacher, don't you care if we drown?'
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 'Quiet! Be still!'
Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
He said to his disciples, 'Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?'
They were terrified and asked each other, 'Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!'
The disciples were experienced fishermen who knew the Sea of Galilee well. For them to be terrified meant this was no ordinary storm. Yet Jesus slept peacefully through it all—not because He didn't care, but because He was never in danger.
With a word, He silenced the storm. The same voice that spoke creation into existence now commanded the chaos to cease. The disciples began to understand: this was no ordinary teacher.
Jesus Stops the Storm
Kids Version
Jesus and His disciples got in a boat to cross a big lake. Jesus was SO tired. He lay down in the back of the boat and fell asleep.
Then—WHOOOOSH!—a terrible storm came! The wind howled! CRASH! Huge waves slammed into the boat! Water was splashing in everywhere!
The disciples were TERRIFIED! Some of them were fishermen who knew this lake well. They knew this was a really bad storm!
'We're gonna sink! We're gonna drown!'
But Jesus was still sleeping! In the middle of all that noise and chaos!
The disciples shook Him awake. 'TEACHER! Don't You CARE if we drown?!'
Jesus stood up in the rocking boat. He looked at the wind. He looked at the waves.
'QUIET!' Jesus commanded. 'BE STILL!'
Immediately—the wind stopped. The waves calmed down. Everything was perfectly peaceful. Just like that!
Jesus turned to His disciples. 'Why were you so afraid? Don't you have faith?'
The disciples looked at each other with HUGE eyes. They weren't scared of the storm anymore—they were amazed at JESUS!
'Who IS this?' they whispered. 'Even the wind and waves OBEY Him!'
Jesus has power over everything—even storms! When life feels scary and out of control, remember: Jesus can calm any storm.
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Characters in This Story
Scripture — Mark 4:35-41 (KJV)
35And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
36And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
37And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
38And 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?
39And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
40And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
41And they feared exceedingly , and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
Memory Verse
“And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.”
— Mark 4:35 (KJV)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “Jesus Calms the Storm” in the Bible?
A violent storm threatens to sink the disciples' boat. Jesus wakes from sleep and commands the wind and waves to be still. This story is found in Mark 4:35-41, Matthew 8:23-27, Luke 8:22-25.
Where is “Jesus Calms the Storm” found in the Bible?
“Jesus Calms the Storm” is found in Mark 4:35-41, Matthew 8:23-27, Luke 8:22-25, in the book of Mark.
What can children learn from “Jesus Calms the Storm”?
This story teaches children about Jesus' power over nature, Faith, Fear, Peace. A huge storm hit while Jesus and His friends were in a boat. They were scared! But Jesus told the wind and waves to stop—and they did!