Mark 2:13

KJV

¶ And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he went forth {G1831} again {G3825} by {G3844} the sea side {G2281}; and {G2532} all {G3956} the multitude {G3793} resorted {G2064} unto {G4314} him {G846}, and {G2532} he taught {G1321} them {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua went out again by the lake. All the crowd came to him, and he began teaching them.

Berean Standard Bible

Once again Jesus went out beside the sea. All the people came to Him, and He taught them there.

American Standard Version

And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 2:13 serves as a pivotal transitional verse, depicting Jesus's continued public ministry by the Sea of Galilee, where he once again engaged with large crowds. Following a significant confrontation with religious authorities in the preceding verses, this passage highlights Jesus's unwavering commitment to teaching, reaffirming his role as a divine instructor and revealing the widespread popular appeal of his message among the common people. It sets the stage for further developments in his ministry, emphasizing the accessibility of his presence and the authority of his words.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the dramatic account of Jesus healing a paralytic and declaring his sins forgiven in [Mark 2:1-12](/mark/2-1-12 "Mark 2:1-12 - The Healing of the Paralytic and Forgiveness of Sins"). That episode culminated in a direct challenge to Jesus's authority by the scribes, who questioned his right to forgive sins. Mark 2:13 acts as a bridge, moving Jesus from a private setting (a house) and a contentious encounter back into the public sphere. The phrase "went forth again" suggests a return to a familiar pattern of ministry, indicating that despite opposition, Jesus's mission to reach and teach the masses remained paramount. It transitions into the calling of Levi and further controversies that continue to explore Jesus's authority and the nature of his kingdom in [Mark 2:14-28](/mark/2-14-28 "Mark 2:14-28 - The Calling of Levi and Further Controversies").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "sea side" almost certainly refers to the shore of the Sea of Galilee, a vibrant hub of economic and social activity in first-century Galilee. Towns like Capernaum, where Jesus often based his ministry, were situated along its shores, making it a natural gathering place for people from diverse backgrounds—fishermen, tax collectors, and merchants. Public teaching in open spaces was a common practice for itinerant teachers and rabbis of the time, allowing large numbers of people to gather without the constraints of synagogue space. The "multitude" (Greek: _ochlos_) typically comprised the common people, often those marginalized or overlooked by the religious elite, highlighting Jesus's ministry to all strata of society, particularly those hungry for spiritual truth and healing.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 2:13 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the Gospel of Mark. Firstly, it underscores the **Accessibility of Jesus's Ministry**. Jesus consistently goes to the people, meeting them where they are, whether in homes, synagogues, or by the sea, demonstrating his inclusive and outward-focused approach to ministry, as seen throughout his early Galilean ministry described in [Mark 1](/mark/1 "Mark 1 - Jesus's Early Ministry in Galilee"). Secondly, the verse emphasizes the **Compelling Appeal of Jesus**. The immediate and overwhelming response of "all the multitude" to "resort unto him" reveals the profound spiritual hunger among the populace and Jesus's unique ability to draw people to himself through his authoritative teaching and miraculous works. This popular appeal stands in stark contrast to the growing opposition from religious leaders, a tension that will intensify throughout the Gospel. Finally, the verse highlights the **Primacy of Jesus's Teaching**. Despite his healing ministry, Mark explicitly states that Jesus "taught them," affirming his central role as a divine prophet and instructor. His teaching was not merely informative but transformative, carrying an authority that surpassed that of the scribes, as noted in [Mark 1:22](/mark/1-22 "Mark 1:22 - Jesus's Authoritative Teaching").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **went forth (Greek, _exérchomai'_):** This verb signifies a purposeful departure or movement out from a place. In this context, it emphasizes Jesus's active initiative to leave the confines of the house (where the paralytic was healed) and return to the public sphere by the sea. It suggests a deliberate continuation of his public ministry, not a retreat, despite the recent controversy.
* **multitude (Greek, _óchlos'_):** This term refers to a large, often unorganized crowd, the common people, or the masses. Its use here highlights the broad, popular appeal of Jesus, indicating that his ministry was not confined to a select few but attracted a diverse and numerous following from all walks of life, including those often disregarded by the religious establishment.
* **taught (Greek, _didáskō'_):** This word denotes the act of instructing, explaining, or imparting knowledge. It signifies Jesus's primary role as a teacher, one who systematically communicates truth and spiritual insights. The emphasis on teaching underscores that Jesus's ministry was not solely about performing miracles but fundamentally about proclaiming the truths of God's kingdom and transforming understanding.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ And he went forth again by the sea side;":** This clause describes Jesus's intentional movement from the previous scene (likely a house in Capernaum) back to the familiar and accessible setting of the Sea of Galilee's shore. The adverb "again" (Greek: _pálin_) indicates a return to a customary pattern of ministry, suggesting that teaching by the sea was a regular practice for him. This act demonstrates Jesus's proactive approach to reaching people where they naturally gathered.
* **"and all the multitude resorted unto him,":** This segment highlights the immediate and overwhelming response to Jesus's presence. The phrase "all the multitude" conveys the vast number of people drawn to him, indicating his widespread popularity and the deep spiritual hunger that existed. The verb "resorted" (Greek: _érchomai_) implies that the crowds actively came to him, demonstrating their eagerness to be near him and hear his words, signifying a compelling draw that Jesus exerted over the populace.
* **"and he taught them.":** This final, concise clause states the primary activity Jesus engaged in once the crowd had gathered. Despite the preceding miracles and controversies, Mark emphasizes that Jesus's core mission was to teach. This teaching was authoritative, insightful, and foundational to his ministry, aiming to impart divine truth and shape the understanding and lives of his listeners. It was through his words that the nature of the Kingdom of God was revealed.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 2:13 employs several literary devices to convey its meaning. The use of **Setting** is significant, as the "sea side" is a recurring and symbolic location in Mark's Gospel, often associated with calling disciples, teaching large crowds, and demonstrating Jesus's authority over creation. It represents an open, accessible space for ministry, contrasting with the more confined and often contentious settings of synagogues or houses. The phrase "went forth again" suggests **Repetition** and **Pattern**, establishing Jesus's consistent and deliberate engagement with the public, despite the rising opposition. This reinforces his unwavering commitment to his mission. There is also an implicit **Contrast** between the private, confrontational encounter with the scribes in the preceding verses and Jesus's immediate return to open, public teaching of the masses. This highlights Jesus's resilience and the broad scope of his ministry beyond the confines of religious institutions. Finally, the verse functions as a **Transition**, bridging the narrative from the intense theological debate of the paralytic's healing to the subsequent events of Jesus's public ministry, including the calling of Levi, preparing the reader for further revelations of Jesus's identity and authority.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 2:13 underscores the profound theological truth that God, in Christ, actively seeks out humanity, making himself accessible and revealing divine truth through authoritative teaching. Jesus's willingness to go "forth again by the sea side" demonstrates a divine initiative to meet people where they are, rather than expecting them to come to a specific, exclusive location. This open-air, public teaching to "all the multitude" highlights the inclusive nature of God's grace and the universal call to hear and respond to the gospel. It reveals Jesus not just as a miracle worker, but as the ultimate revealer of God's will and the Kingdom's truths, whose words carry inherent divine authority, transforming hearts and minds.

* [Matthew 7:28-29](/matthew/7-28-29 "Matthew 7:28-29 - The Authority of Jesus's Teaching")
* [Luke 4:43](/luke/4-43 "Luke 4:43 - Jesus's Mission to Preach")
* [John 6:2](/john/6-2 "John 6:2 - Large Crowds Follow Jesus")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 2:13 offers a powerful model for both personal spiritual growth and the mission of the church. Jesus's consistent return to public teaching by the sea reminds us of the importance of regularly seeking out and immersing ourselves in God's Word. Just as the multitude "resorted unto him," we are called to actively pursue spiritual nourishment and draw near to the source of truth. In a world filled with distractions and competing voices, this verse encourages us to prioritize listening to Jesus's teaching, allowing His authoritative words to shape our understanding, values, and actions. Furthermore, Jesus's willingness to go to the people, meeting them in their everyday environments, serves as a profound challenge for believers today. It calls us to embody the accessibility of the Gospel, to step outside our comfort zones and share the transformative message of Christ with those who need it most, meeting them where they are, just as Jesus did. It underscores that the power lies not in our methods, but in the divine truth of the Word itself.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I actively "resort unto" Jesus's teaching in my daily life?**
* **How can I make the truth of the Gospel more accessible to those around me, following Jesus's example of going "forth again by the sea side"?**
* **What aspects of Jesus's teaching do I find most transformative, and how am I allowing them to shape my character and actions?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus often teach by the sea side, and what is its significance?**

Answer: Jesus frequently taught by the sea side, particularly the Sea of Galilee, for several practical and symbolic reasons. Practically, it was an ideal location for large gatherings. The natural topography of the shore, often with gentle slopes, created an amphitheater-like effect, allowing his voice to carry to "all the multitude" (as seen in [Mark 2:13](/mark/2-13 "Mark 2:13 - Jesus Teaching by the Sea")). It was also a central and accessible area, a hub of daily life for fishermen, merchants, and travelers, ensuring that his message reached a diverse audience. Symbolically, the sea in biblical literature can represent the chaotic, untamed world, and Jesus's presence and authoritative teaching by its shores, as well as his power over the sea itself (e.g., [Mark 4:35-41](/mark/4-35-41 "Mark 4:35-41 - Jesus Calms the Storm")), underscore his sovereignty over all creation and his mission to bring order and truth to a disordered world. It also highlights his ministry to the common people, those on the "fringes" of society, rather than just the religious elite.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 2:13, with Jesus "going forth again by the sea side" to teach "all the multitude," profoundly foreshadows and embodies the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Jesus's role as the authoritative teacher points directly to his identity as the ultimate Prophet, foretold in [Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - A Prophet Like Moses"), who would speak God's very words. His teaching ministry by the sea is a tangible expression of the "Word made flesh" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), bringing divine truth directly to humanity. The accessibility of his teaching, reaching "all the multitude" in open spaces, prefigures the universal offer of salvation through his atoning work, available to all who believe, regardless of social status or background ([Romans 10:12-13](/romans/10-12-13 "Romans 10:12-13 - Salvation for All")). His authoritative teaching, which astonished even his listeners ([Matthew 7:28-29](/matthew/7-28-29 "Matthew 7:28-29 - The Authority of Jesus's Teaching")), reveals his divine nature and the inherent power of his words to transform lives, pointing to his ultimate authority as Lord and Savior. Ultimately, this scene by the sea side anticipates the Great Commission, where the resurrected Christ commands his followers to "go and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")), extending his teaching ministry through his church to the ends of the earth.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Mark 4:1

¶ And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.

Proverbs 1:20

¶ Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:

Proverbs 1:22

How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

Mark 2:2

And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive [them], no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.

Mark 3:7

But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea,

Mark 3:8

And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and [from] beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him.

Luke 21:38

And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.