And grace, in the midst of a storm, looks like courage. These images, however, occur in a literary context that uses a Greco-Roman mode of rhetorical elaboration to unfold the mysterious nature of the kingdom of God in Jesus' activity. This Weak's Hermeneutic , Joseph Weaks. Questions, Chreai, and Challenges to Honor. The Interface of Rhetoric and Culture in Mark's Gospel.
Questions score points, draw blood, and shame opponents.
The same interpretation applies equally to the phenomenon of answering a question with a counter-question, which also is an aggressive weapon. And by observing who is reduced to silence, we have narrative clues about who triumphed in the question game and who lost. Both the storm and the fears of the disciples are calmed by the words of Jesus. Stormstiller is Peacemaker. In the context of this book, that means that God also is Peacemaker.