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The initial time designation, that day, serves to tie this episode closely to the preceding section on parables. Following his teaching, will the disciples understand Jesus clearly? Mark’s narration of Jesus is as one who acts with divine authority. Just as elsewhere Jesus rebukes and silences evil spirits (e.g., 1:25), so now he rebukes and silences the wind and the waves. Like God, he has power over the sea and the chaotic evil it represents (Pss 65:5-7; 104:24-26; 106:9; Rev 21:1). Nevertheless, the disciples fail to perceive Jesus' true identity.