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.

And {G2532} he began {G756} again {G3825} to teach {G1321} by {G3844} the sea side {G2281}: and {G2532} there was gathered {G4863} unto {G4314} him {G846} a great {G4183} multitude {G3793}, so that {G5620} he {G846} entered {G1684} into {G1519} a ship {G4143}, and sat {G2521} in {G1722} the sea {G2281}; and {G2532} the whole {G3956} multitude {G3793} was {G2258} by {G4314} the sea {G2281} on {G1909} the land {G1093}.

Again Yeshua began to teach by the lake, but the crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat on the lake and sat there, while the crowd remained on shore at the water's edge.

Once again Jesus began to teach beside the sea, and such a large crowd gathered around Him that He got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people crowded along the shore.

And again he began to teach by the sea side. And there is gathered unto him a very great multitude, so that he entered into a boat, and sat in the sea; and all the multitude were by the sea on the land.

Commentary on Mark 4:1 (KJV)

Mark 4:1 opens a pivotal chapter in Jesus' ministry, setting the stage for some of His most significant parables. This verse describes Jesus' return to public teaching by the shore of the Sea of Galilee, a familiar setting for His Galilean ministry.

Context

Following a period of intense activity, including healings, casting out demons, and facing opposition from religious authorities, Jesus once again focuses on teaching. The previous chapter, Mark 3:7-8, shows Jesus withdrawing to the sea with His disciples due to the immense crowds. Mark 4:1 picks up this thread, illustrating the continued drawing power of Jesus. The "great multitude" that gathered was so large that Jesus had to employ an ingenious method to address them effectively: He entered a fishing boat and sat a short distance from the shore. This allowed His voice to carry over the water to the people gathered on the land, creating a natural amphitheater and providing a necessary buffer from the pressing crowds.

Key Themes

  • Jesus' Dedication to Teaching: The phrase "he began again to teach" emphasizes that teaching was a core and recurring aspect of Jesus' mission. His primary method of communicating God's truth was through instruction and parables.
  • The Drawing Power of Christ: The "great multitude" highlights the widespread interest in Jesus, whether from curiosity, hope for healing, or a genuine desire to hear His message. This vast audience underscores the need for effective communication.
  • Adaptability in Ministry: Jesus' use of a ship as a floating pulpit demonstrates His practical wisdom and resourcefulness. He adapted His method to the circumstances to ensure His message could reach the maximum number of people. This resourcefulness is a key aspect of His earthly ministry.
  • Setting for Parables: This verse serves as the immediate introduction to the Parable of the Sower, followed by other parables of the Kingdom of God. The scene of Jesus teaching from the boat to the crowd on the shore becomes the iconic backdrop for these foundational teachings.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "multitude" is ochlos (ὄχλος), often referring to a large, undifferentiated crowd, highlighting the sheer number of people drawn to Jesus. The "ship" (ploion, πλοῖον) would have been a common fishing boat, providing a simple yet effective platform for His teaching.

Practical Application

Mark 4:1 reminds us of the enduring importance of teaching and learning God's Word. Just as Jesus sought innovative ways to deliver His message, believers today are called to be resourceful in sharing the Gospel, adapting methods to reach diverse audiences. The eagerness of the crowd to hear Jesus also challenges us to cultivate a similar hunger for spiritual truth and to listen with an open heart. This passage encourages us to value accessibility in sharing truth and to recognize the power of God's Word to draw people to Himself.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Mark 2:13

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

  • Luke 5:1

    ¶ And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,

  • Luke 5:3

    And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.

  • Luke 8:4

    ¶ And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable:

  • Luke 8:10

    And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

  • Matthew 13:1

    ¶ The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.

  • Matthew 13:15

    For this people's heart is waxed gross, and [their] ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with [their] eyes, and hear with [their] ears, and should understand with [their] heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
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