Absorbed in their efforts to save themselves, they had forgotten that Jesus was on board. Now, seeing their labor vain and only death before them, they remembered at whose command they had set out to cross the sea. In Jesus was their only hope. In their helplessness and despair they cried, "Master, Master!" But the dense darkness hid Him from their sight. Their voices were drowned by the roaring of the tempest, and there was no reply. Doubt and fear assailed them. Had Jesus forsaken them? Was He who had conquered disease and demons, and even death, powerless to help His disciples now? Was He unmindful of them in their distress?

De var så optagne af deres anstrengelser for at redde sig, at de havde glemt, at Jesus var med om bord. Men nu, hvor de så, at deres slid var forgæves, og at de måtte se døden i øjnene, kom de til at huske på, hvem det var, der havde befalet dem at begive sig ud for at sætte over søen. Jesus var deres eneste håb. I deres hjælpeløshed og fortvivlelse råbte de: "Mester! Mester!" men det tætte mørke skjulte ham for deres blik. Deres stemmer druknede i stormens hylen, og der lød intet svar. De blev grebet af tvivl og frygt. Havde Jesus mon svigtet dem. Var han, som havde overvundet sygdomme og onde ånder, ja, selv døden, nu ude af stand til at hjælpe sine disciple? Bekymrede han sig slet ikke om dem i deres ulykke?