In the overall structure of Mark's Gospel we now move into material that follows the Parable of the Sower, which is the plot synopsis of the first ten chapters of Mark. This story of the disciples in the boat, along with the whole of Mark 5, is about different kinds of soil. The Sower sows the word and people hear and receive that word in different ways. The rocky-ground disciples are afraid. Fear is one of the fundamental responses to the Sower in Mark's story. Mark's Gospel, in fact, ends with a note of fear! (Mark 16:8: "... and they [the women] said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.")

In this story the disciples and Jesus get into a boat for a trip to the other side of the lake. Wind and sea rose up in fury. The disciples were afraid they would perish in this storm. Jesus, on t…