Chapter 4:35-41Jesus Stills the Sea

4:35 And the same day, when the even was come, He saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
And the same day, when the even was come - After He had finished His parables among the multitude, and had explained them to His disciples: Let us pass over unto the other side - Our Lord was now by the sea of Galilee.

4:36 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.
they took Him even as He was in the ship - which may be understood of His being taken and carried in the ship, in which He had been preaching all the day, without being moved into another; and there were also with Him other little ships; - or boats, that were in company with that, in which Christ was.

Christ was Lord High Admiral of the Galilean lake that night, and He had quite a little fleet of vessels around his flagship.

4:37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
And there arose a great storm of wind - Called Laelaps, a wind that is suddenly whirled about upwards and downwards, and is said to be a storm, or tempest of wind with rain; it was a sort of a hurricane: and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was full; of water, and ready to sink.

4:38 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?
He was quite at home upon the wild waves,-“Rocked in the cradle of the deep,”-for winds and waves were but His Father’s servants, obeying His commands.

4:39 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.
And He arose and rebuked the wind - He arose from off His pillow, and stood up; and in a majestic and authoritative way reproved the wind, as if it was a servant that had exceeded His commission; at which He shows some resentment: and said unto the sea, peace, be still; - as if that which was very tumultuous and boisterous, and threatened with shipwreck and the loss of lives, had raged too much and too long: and the wind ceased, and there was a great calm; - which was very unusual and extraordinary.

4:40 And He said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
When He had calmed the winds and the waves, 

He had to speak to another fickle set, more fickle than either winds or waves: “and He said unto them,”-

How imperfect are the best of saints! Faith and fear take their turns while we are in this world; but ere long, fear will be overcome, and faith will be lost in sight.

4:41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him? 

What manner of man is this? - They were astonished at such power proceeding from a person who appeared to be only like one of themselves. what manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him? - Surely this person must not be a mere man; He must be more than a man; He must be truly God, that has such power over the wind and sea.

Chapter 4:30-34 Parable of the Mustard Seed

4:30 And He said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?
Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? - How amiable is this carefulness of Jesus! How instructive to the preachers of His word! He is not solicitous to seek fine turns of eloquence to charm the minds of his auditors, nor to draw such descriptions and comparisons as may surprise them: but studies only to make Himself understood; to instruct to advantage; to give true ideas of faith and holiness; and to find out such expressions as may render necessary truths easy and intelligible to the meanest capacities. The very wisdom of God seems to be at a loss to find out expressions low enough for the slow apprehensions of men.

4:31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:

It is like a grain of mustard seed - That is, the kingdom of God spoken of in the preceding verse, is like unto a grain of mustard seed; by which is meant it brings life or points to the kingdom of heaven, directs the way unto it, and shows what qualifies persons for it, and gives them a claim unto it.

4:32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.

But when it is sown, it groweth up -So the Gospel, when it was preached, it spread notwithstanding all the opposition made against it by, the Jews and Gentiles: there was no stopping it; and shooteth out great branches, so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it: by whom are meant, saints; such to whom the Gospel is come in power, and who have the grace of God wrought in their hearts, who are partakers of the heavenly calling: these come where the Gospel is preached, but where they lodge, abide, and continue, under the shadow of the Gospel.

4:33 And with many such parables spake He the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.

With many such parables - As they were able to hear - or to understand always suiting his teaching to the capacities of His hearers.

4:34 But without a parable spake He not unto them: and when they were alone, He expounded all things to His disciples. 

He expounded all things to His disciples - That they might be capable of instructing others. Outside hearers, those who do not come into close fellowship with the true disciples of Christ, have seldom more than a superficial knowledge of Divine things.