Mark 5:21

¶ 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.

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}.

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

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

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.

Mark 5:21 describes Jesus' return journey across the Sea of Galilee and the immediate gathering of a large crowd upon His arrival. This verse serves as a crucial transition point in Mark's Gospel, setting the stage for subsequent powerful miracles.

Context

Having just completed a ministry trip to the Gentile region of the Gerasenes (or Gadarenes), where He powerfully healed a man possessed by a legion of demons, Jesus sails back to the western, Jewish side of the Sea of Galilee. This side, particularly around Capernaum, was the primary base for His Galilean ministry. The phrase "passed over again by ship unto the other side" indicates a regular pattern of movement across the lake, often to find respite or to minister in different areas. His arrival on the shore immediately draws "much people," demonstrating His widespread fame and the eager anticipation of those seeking His help and teaching.

Key Themes

  • Jesus' Accessibility and Popularity: The immediate gathering of "much people" highlights the immense draw of Jesus. His reputation for healing and teaching preceded Him, causing crowds to flock to Him wherever He went. This continuous public demand underscores the intensity of His ministry.
  • Transitional Moment: This verse acts as a narrative bridge. It concludes the account of the Gerasene demoniac and directly precedes two significant intertwined miracles: the healing of Jairus's daughter and the woman with the issue of blood. The crowd's presence is integral to these events.
  • Commitment to Ministry: Despite the arduous journey and recent intense spiritual conflict, Jesus immediately engages with the waiting multitude, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His mission and compassion for humanity.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "much people gathered unto him" uses the Greek verb συνήχθη (*synēchthē*), which denotes a spontaneous coming together or assembling. It conveys the idea that the crowd was not merely coincidental but actively and eagerly converged upon Jesus as soon as His presence was known. The detail "he was nigh unto the sea" simply grounds the scene geographically, placing Jesus right at the water's edge where the boat would land, making Him immediately visible and accessible to the waiting multitude.

Practical Application

Mark 5:21 reminds us of the persistent human need for divine intervention and the constant availability of Jesus to those who seek Him. Just as the crowds eagerly awaited His arrival, we are encouraged to actively seek His presence and guidance in our lives. It also highlights the demanding nature of ministry and the importance of being present and accessible to those in need, following the example of Christ's tireless compassion and dedication to His Father's will. The verse sets the stage for great things, reminding us that often, a simple return or presence can open the door for profound spiritual encounters, much like the miracles that unfolded immediately after this scene.

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.

  • 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.

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