Mark 5:21

KJV

¶ And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} when Jesus {G2424} was passed over {G1276} again {G3825} by {G1722} ship {G4143} unto {G1519} the other side {G4008}, much {G4183} people {G3793} gathered {G4863} unto {G1909} him {G846}: and {G2532} he was {G2258} nigh {G3844} unto the sea {G2281}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua crossed in the boat to the other side of the lake, and a great crowd gathered around him.

Berean Standard Bible

When Jesus had again crossed by boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around Him beside the sea.

American Standard Version

And when Jesus had crossed over again in the boat unto the other side, a great multitude was gathered unto him; and he was by the sea.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 5:21 serves as a pivotal transitional verse in the Gospel narrative, depicting Jesus' return by ship to the western, Jewish side of the Sea of Galilee after His ministry in the Gentile Decapolis. Upon His arrival, a large multitude spontaneously gathered around Him at the water's edge, eagerly anticipating His presence and ministry, thereby setting the immediate stage for two significant miracles that underscore His divine authority and compassion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' powerful encounter in the region of the Gerasenes (or Gadarenes), where He cast a legion of demons out of a man and into a herd of pigs ([Mark 5:1-20](/mark/5-1-20 "Mark 5:1-20 - The Gerasene Demoniac")). The command to the healed man to "Go home to your people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you" ([Mark 5:19](/mark/5-19 "Mark 5:19 - Jesus' Command to the Healed Man")) highlights a mission to the Gentiles, a stark contrast to Jesus' primary focus on Israel. Mark 5:21 then signals Jesus' departure from this Gentile territory and His re-entry into Jewish lands, specifically the vicinity of Capernaum, which served as His Galilean ministry base. The gathering crowd directly precedes the intertwined narratives of Jairus's plea for his dying daughter and the healing of the woman with a chronic hemorrhage ([Mark 5:22-43](/mark/5-22-43 "Mark 5:22-43 - Jairus's Daughter and the Woman with an Issue of Blood")), emphasizing the continuous demand for Jesus' healing and teaching ministry.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Sea of Galilee (also known as Lake Gennesaret or Tiberias) was central to Jesus' Galilean ministry, serving as both a travel route and a setting for many miracles and teachings. The eastern side, where the Gerasene incident occurred, was largely Gentile territory, while the western side was predominantly Jewish. Jesus' frequent crossings by "ship" (a common fishing boat) were typical for travel and ministry in the region. The immediate gathering of "much people" upon His arrival reflects the widespread fame Jesus had already garnered through His miraculous healings and authoritative teaching throughout Galilee. Crowds were a constant feature of His public ministry, often pressing in on Him, eager to hear His words or receive His touch, indicative of the societal needs and spiritual hunger prevalent among the populace.

* **Key Themes:** Mark 5:21 contributes to several overarching themes within Mark's Gospel. Firstly, it reinforces the theme of **Jesus' Authority and Popularity**, as His mere presence draws a "much people" (Greek: _ochlos_), signifying His recognized power and the widespread anticipation of His works. This echoes earlier accounts of crowds following Him after His initial healings and teachings, such as those found in [Mark 1:32-34](/mark/1-32-34 "Mark 1:32-34 - Jesus Heals Many at Evening"). Secondly, the verse highlights **Jesus' Unwavering Commitment to Ministry**. Despite the recent intense spiritual battle and the journey across the sea, Jesus immediately re-engages with the waiting multitude, demonstrating His tireless compassion and dedication to His mission of proclaiming the Kingdom of God and bringing healing. This commitment is a consistent motif throughout Mark, as seen in Jesus' constant movement and engagement with people ([Mark 1:38-39](/mark/1-38-39 "Mark 1:38-39 - Jesus Preaches in Galilee")). Lastly, it functions as a **Narrative Transition**, signaling a shift from a significant Gentile encounter back to the heart of His Jewish ministry, setting the stage for the next series of powerful demonstrations of His messianic identity and power.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **passed over (Greek, _diaperáō'_):** From G1276, meaning "to cross entirely" or "sail over." This word emphasizes the complete and deliberate nature of Jesus' journey across the Sea of Galilee. It implies a purposeful movement from one distinct geographic and cultural area (Gentile Gerasenes) to another (Jewish Galilee), highlighting His intentionality in returning to His base of operations for continued ministry.
* **people (Greek, _óchlos'_):** From G3793, referring to "a throng," "multitude," or "rabble." This term is frequently used in the Gospels to describe the large, often unorganized, crowds that followed Jesus. It conveys the sheer number and spontaneous nature of those who gathered, indicating Jesus' widespread fame and the popular demand for His presence, not just a few curious individuals.
* **gathered (Greek, _synágō'_):** From G4863, meaning "to lead together," "collect," or "convene." The passive voice used here ("was gathered") suggests that the people came together to Him, indicating an active, eager convergence rather than a casual assembly. This highlights the magnetic pull of Jesus and the anticipation of the crowd, who were ready and waiting for His arrival.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side,"**: This opening clause establishes the scene, marking Jesus' return journey. The phrase "passed over again" (_pálin diaperáō_) signifies a habitual action, indicating that crossing the Sea of Galilee was a regular part of Jesus' itinerant ministry. The "other side" refers to the western shore, likely near Capernaum, contrasting with the eastern, Gentile region He had just left. The detail "by ship" underscores the mode of travel typical for the region and for Jesus' movements across the lake.
* **"much people gathered unto him:"**: This phrase immediately introduces the central action upon Jesus' arrival. The "much people" (_polýs óchlos_) emphasizes the large size of the crowd, demonstrating Jesus' immense popularity and the public's eagerness to interact with Him. The verb "gathered" (_synágō_) conveys a spontaneous, intentional convergence of the multitude toward Jesus, indicating their anticipation and readiness to receive from Him.
* **"and he was nigh unto the sea."**: This final clause provides a precise geographical detail, grounding the scene. It places Jesus right at the water's edge, immediately accessible to the waiting crowd as soon as His ship landed. This proximity facilitates the immediate interaction and sets the stage for the events that follow, emphasizing the directness and immediacy of His engagement with the people.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 5:21 effectively employs several literary devices. The verse functions primarily as a **Transitional Narrative**, smoothly shifting the geographical and narrative focus from the Gentile region of the Gerasenes back to the Jewish heartland of Galilee. This transition is crucial for the unfolding of subsequent events. Furthermore, there is a strong sense of **Anticipation** created by the description of "much people gathered unto him." The immediate congregation of the crowd suggests a pre-existing expectation and eagerness for Jesus' arrival, building narrative tension for the miracles that are about to occur. Mark also uses **Geographical Precision** by noting that Jesus "was nigh unto the sea," which grounds the story in a tangible setting and enhances the reader's visualization of the scene, making Jesus' immediate accessibility to the crowd vivid and realistic.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 5:21, though seemingly simple, carries significant theological weight. It underscores the profound human need for divine intervention and the consistent accessibility of Jesus to those who seek Him. The immediate gathering of the crowd highlights Jesus' magnetic presence and the widespread recognition of His authority, not merely as a teacher, but as one who possessed unique power. This verse sets the stage for the demonstration of Jesus' sovereign power over sickness and death, reinforcing His identity as the Messiah who brings healing and restoration. It also implicitly points to the divine initiative in ministry; Jesus crosses over, and the people respond, illustrating the dynamic interaction between God's outreach and humanity's reception.

* [Matthew 4:24-25](/matthew/4-24-25 "Matthew 4:24-25 - Jesus' Fame and Crowds Gather")
* [Luke 4:40-41](/luke/4-40-41 "Luke 4:40-41 - Jesus Heals Many at Sunset")
* [John 6:2](/john/6-2 "John 6:2 - A Great Crowd Follows Jesus")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 5:21 invites us to reflect on the nature of our own pursuit of Christ. Just as the crowds eagerly awaited Jesus' return, demonstrating a persistent hunger for His presence and power, we too are called to cultivate an active and expectant posture in our spiritual lives. This verse reminds us that Jesus is always accessible to those who genuinely seek Him, even after demanding journeys or intense spiritual battles. His immediate engagement with the multitude, despite His recent exertions, serves as a powerful model of tireless compassion and unwavering commitment to ministry. For believers, this means being present and available to those in need, mirroring Christ's self-giving example. It also encourages us to recognize that our "return" to moments of quiet expectation or prayer can often be the very threshold where profound spiritual encounters and divine interventions unfold, much like the transformative miracles that immediately followed this scene. We are reminded that our readiness to meet Him is often met by His readiness to minister to us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does the immediate gathering of "much people" reveal about the spiritual hunger of the time, and how does that compare to the spiritual hunger in our world today?**
* **How does Jesus' willingness to immediately engage with the crowd after a demanding journey challenge our own priorities and commitment to serving others?**
* **In what ways are we "nigh unto the sea" in our own lives, waiting for Christ's presence, and what does it mean to actively "gather unto Him" in our daily walk?**

### FAQ
**Why did so many people gather to Jesus immediately upon His arrival?**

Answer: The immediate gathering of "much people" upon Jesus' arrival was a common occurrence throughout His ministry, as His reputation for performing extraordinary miracles and teaching with unparalleled authority had spread widely across Galilee. People were drawn to Him out of a desperate need for healing, a desire to hear His words, or simply out of curiosity regarding the remarkable events surrounding Him. Mark's Gospel frequently highlights these large crowds, emphasizing Jesus' popularity and the public's eager anticipation of His presence, as seen in other instances where crowds pressed in on Him, such as when He taught by the sea ([Mark 4:1](/mark/4-1 "Mark 4:1 - Parable of the Sower")) or healed the sick ([Mark 3:7-10](/mark/3-7-10 "Mark 3:7-10 - Crowds Follow Jesus")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 5:21, depicting Jesus' return and the spontaneous gathering of a great multitude, powerfully foreshadows His ultimate role as the central figure to whom all humanity will ultimately gather. Just as the crowds flocked to Him at the sea's edge, desperate for healing and hope, so too does humanity, burdened by sin and brokenness, find its ultimate hope and salvation in Christ. His physical presence and accessibility to the waiting throng prefigure His spiritual accessibility through the Holy Spirit to all who call upon His name ([Romans 10:13](/romans/10-13 "Romans 10:13 - Call on the Name of the Lord")). This scene of eager anticipation for His arrival points to the greater longing for the Messiah's coming, a longing fulfilled in Jesus, who is the "desire of all nations" ([Haggai 2:7](/haggai/2-7 "Haggai 2:7 - The Desire of All Nations")). Moreover, the gathering of people around Jesus, the Good Shepherd, anticipates the eschatological gathering of His elect from every nation, tribe, people, and language, when He will draw all people to Himself ([John 12:32](/john/12-32 "John 12:32 - Jesus Will Draw All People to Himself")) and establish His eternal Kingdom, where a "great multitude that no one could count" will stand before the Lamb ([Revelation 7:9-10](/revelation/7-9-10 "Revelation 7:9-10 - The Multitude Before the Throne")). Thus, Mark 5:21 is not merely a historical account but a profound glimpse into the Christ who continually draws people to Himself for salvation and transformation.

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

Matthew 9:1

¶ And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.

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.

Luke 8:40

¶ And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people [gladly] received him: for they were all waiting for him.