Clearly the storm was life-threatening, otherwise the disciples would have left Jesus alone. Remember, not many of them could swim and if they were in the middle of the lake while it was dark, they would have a long way to swim to the shore. They probably shouted instructions to one another to row harder and use their hands or pots to scoop water out of the boat. Looking around, they expected to see Jesus helping them, but instead he was sleeping. This surprised them. Why was he not helping them?
38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”