Matthew 13:2

And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.

And {G2532} great {G4183} multitudes {G3793} were gathered together {G4863} unto {G4314} him {G846}, so that {G5620} he {G846} went {G1684} into {G1519} a ship {G4143}, and sat {G2521}; and {G2532} the whole {G3956} multitude {G3793} stood {G2476} on {G1909} the shore {G123}.

but such a large crowd gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there while the crowd stood on the shore.

Such large crowds gathered around Him that He got into a boat and sat down, while all the people stood on the shore.

And there were gathered unto him great multitudes, so that he entered into a boat, and sat; and all the multitude stood on the beach.

Matthew 13:2 sets the scene for one of Jesus’ most significant teaching sessions, where He began to speak extensively in parables. This verse vividly portrays the immense popularity of Jesus and His innovative approach to reaching the eager crowds.

Context

This verse immediately follows Matthew 13:1, which states that Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. The setting is likely the shores of the Sea of Galilee, a common location for Jesus' ministry due to its open spaces and access for many people. The "great multitudes" indicate the intense public interest in Jesus' message and miraculous works. To accommodate the sheer number of people and ensure His voice could carry over the water to those on the shore, Jesus employed a practical and effective teaching method: using a fishing boat as a natural pulpit. This strategic move allowed Him to maintain a slight distance from the press of the crowd while still being visible and audible to all.

Key Themes

  • Jesus' Adaptability in Teaching: This verse highlights Jesus' resourcefulness. Rather than being overwhelmed by the crowd, He adapted His environment to create an optimal teaching setting. This demonstrates His commitment to effectively delivering God's truth to all who would listen, even if it required unconventional methods.
  • The Eagerness of the Multitudes: The description of "great multitudes" gathering and "standing on the shore" underscores the widespread desire to hear Jesus. People were willing to travel and stand for extended periods, signifying their hunger for spiritual instruction and healing, a theme often seen in Jesus' ministry, such as during the Sermon on the Mount.
  • Setting for Parables: This unique teaching posture in the boat by the sea introduces a pivotal section of Matthew's Gospel—the parables of the kingdom of heaven. From this vantage point, Jesus would deliver the Parable of the Sower and several others, which are central to understanding His teachings about God's kingdom.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "multitudes" is ochlos (ὄχλος), which refers to a large, often unorganized crowd or throng. Its repeated use emphasizes the sheer volume of people drawn to Jesus, highlighting His popular appeal and the significant impact of His ministry on the general populace.

Practical Application

Matthew 13:2 reminds us of several enduring principles. Firstly, it illustrates Jesus' dedication to reaching people wherever they are, adapting His methods to overcome practical barriers. This challenges believers to be creative and flexible in sharing the Gospel. Secondly, the earnestness of the crowds serves as an example of seeking after truth; they were willing to endure discomfort to hear Jesus' words. This encourages us to prioritize spiritual learning and actively seek out opportunities to grow in our understanding of God's Word. Finally, it sets the stage for profound spiritual truths, reminding us that God often uses humble or unexpected settings to reveal His most profound messages.

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.

  • 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.

  • Matthew 15:30

    And great multitudes came unto him, having with them [those that were] lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them:

  • Matthew 4:25

    And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and [from] Decapolis, and [from] Jerusalem, and [from] Judaea, and [from] beyond Jordan.

  • Genesis 49:10

    The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him [shall] the gathering of the people [be].

  • 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 8:8

    And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

  • 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.

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