Christianity
Mark
“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.”
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ParallelsA comparative study
ChristianityJudaismIslam
On The Storm Stilled
These narratives across Abrahamic traditions depict the divine command as the ultimate authority over natural chaos. While the Christian account emphasizes Christ's inherent authority, the Jewish psalm highlights Yahweh's covenantal protection, and the Islamic narrative underscores prophetic reliance on divine decree. Scholars note that these variations reflect distinct theological emphases on the nature of divine power and human salvation.
What every account tells.
- iDivine command is the mechanism by which natural chaos is ordered.
- iiThe storm represents an existential threat to human life.
- iiiThe stilling of the waters signals divine favor and salvation.
How each tradition tells it.
Christianity
In Mark, Jesus exercises inherent divine authority to command the elements, reflecting early Christological claims. This distinguishes the figure from a mere prophet acting through intercession.
Judaism
The Psalmist attributes the calming of the storm directly to Yahweh's sovereign power within a covenantal framework. This reflects a focus on God's protection of the faithful rather than a specific messianic intervention.
Islam
The Quranic narrative of Noah emphasizes the divine command as a decree that reverses the floodwaters. It underscores the Prophet's role in witnessing the fulfillment of God's will rather than exercising independent power.
Read the passages as one.
Judaism
Psalms
“He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.”
Islam
Surah 11: Hud (Hud)
وَقِيلَ يَـٰٓأَرۡضُ ٱبۡلَعِي مَآءَكِ وَيَٰسَمَآءُ أَقۡلِعِي وَغِيضَ ٱلۡمَآءُ وَقُضِيَ ٱلۡأَمۡرُ وَٱسۡتَوَتۡ عَلَى ٱلۡجُودِيِّۖ وَقِيلَ بُعۡدٗا لِّلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
“And it was said, "O earth, swallow your water, and O sky, withhold [your rain]." And the water subsided, and the matter was accomplished, and the ship came to rest on the [mountain of] Judiyy. And it was said, "Away with the wrongdoing people”