VerseReels

Bible story · Mark 4:35–41

Jesus Calms the Storm

A storm frightens the disciples, and Jesus tells the wind and waves to be still. A 2-minute animated story, told simply for children and families, with each verse from the King James Version.

Start the storyFor parents

1 of 7

One evening, after teaching the crowds all day by the lake, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”

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

2 of 7

So they left the crowd and set off across the lake in a boat. Jesus was so tired that he lay down in the back of the boat and fell asleep.

And 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.

Mark 4:36 KJV

3 of 7

Suddenly a great storm blew in. The wind howled, and waves crashed over the sides until the boat was filling with water.

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

Mark 4:37 KJV

4 of 7

Jesus was still asleep on a pillow. The frightened disciples woke him: “Teacher, don’t you care that we are going to drown?”

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 4:38 KJV

5 of 7

Jesus stood up and spoke to the wind and the waves: “Peace, be still.” At once the wind stopped, and everything was perfectly calm.

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

Mark 4:39 KJV

6 of 7

Jesus asked his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still not have faith?”

And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

Mark 4:40 KJV

7 of 7

The disciples were amazed. “Who is this?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and the sea obey him!”

And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Mark 4:41 KJV

The end

Next story: Jesus Feeds the 5,000

What does this story teach?

  • Jesus is with us in every storm.
  • Jesus is more powerful than anything that frightens us.
  • We can bring our fears to Jesus.
  • Faith means trusting Jesus even when things look scary.

Questions to talk about

Use these with your children after the story, at bedtime, at the table or in a class.

  1. How do you think the disciples felt when the storm came?
  2. What did Jesus say to the wind and the waves?
  3. What are some “storms” that make people afraid?
  4. How can we remember that Jesus is with us when we are scared?

Read the story in the Bible

This retelling uses simple words for young readers. Read the full account in Mark 4:35–41, one verse per screen:

Mark 4

Frequently asked questions

Where is the story of Jesus calming the storm in the Bible?

It is told in three Gospels: Mark 4:35–41, Matthew 8:23–27 and Luke 8:22–25. This retelling follows Mark’s account.

What did Jesus say to calm the storm?

Mark 4:39 says Jesus “rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”

Where did Jesus calm the storm?

On the Sea of Galilee, a large freshwater lake in northern Israel. Storms there can blow up quickly because of winds rushing down from the surrounding hills.

What is the lesson of Jesus calming the storm?

Jesus has power over nature, and he cares for his friends when they are afraid. The disciples’ question, “What manner of man is this?”, invites us to see who Jesus really is.

More Bible stories

See all 36 Bible stories