Mark 2:2 kjv

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 2:2 nkjv

Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them.

Mark 2:2 niv

They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them.

Mark 2:2 esv

And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them.

Mark 2:2 nlt

Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God's word to them,

Mark 2 verses

Mark 2 2 Meaning

The verse describes the immense popularity and urgent spiritual need of the people during Jesus' early ministry in Capernaum. So great was the multitude that gathered to see and hear Him, that the house where He was teaching was filled to capacity, with people overflowing even past the entrance. In this packed setting, Jesus' primary activity was the proclamation of "the word," emphasizing His core mission as a divine teacher and messenger of God's truth, not solely a miracle worker.

Mark 2 2 Context

Mark 2:2 immediately follows Jesus' return to Capernaum "after some days," as mentioned in Mark 2:1. His fame had rapidly grown after healing a leper in Mark 1, making it difficult for Him to move openly, forcing Him to stay in deserted places from which people still sought Him out (Mk 1:45). Now back in His "own city" (Matt 9:1, Capernaum), likely in Peter's home, His presence is immediately detected. This verse sets the scene for one of Jesus' most significant healings and the first major conflict with religious authorities in Mark's Gospel – the healing of the paralytic (Mk 2:3-12) and His controversial claim to forgive sins. The overcrowding highlights the immense anticipation and desperate longing for Jesus' teachings and healing power, creating a palpable tension that underpins the ensuing dramatic events.

Mark 2 2 Word analysis

• So many: (Greek: polloi). Emphasizes the sheer quantity of people. Mark consistently highlights the large crowds drawn to Jesus, demonstrating His widespread appeal and the collective hunger for His message and miracles.
• gathered: (Greek: synechthēsan, aorist passive indicative of synagō). Denotes a deliberate, albeit spontaneous, assembly. The passive voice suggests people were "gathered in" by Jesus' presence and reputation, rather than merely converging by chance. It implies an overwhelming attraction to Him.
• that there was no longer room: (Greek: hōste mēketi chōrein). Literally, "so as not any longer to contain." This vivid description paints a picture of extreme saturation, where the available space, likely a courtyard or a large common room in a private house, was completely overrun.
• not even at the door: (Greek: mēde ta pros tēn thyran). This phrase underscores the extent of the crowd. The immediate area around the entrance, typically less desirable, was also impassable, illustrating a profound eagerness and determination among the people to get as close to Jesus as possible, regardless of discomfort. It sets the stage for the dramatic entry of the paralytic.
• and He preached: (Greek: kai elalei, imperfect tense of laleō). The imperfect tense here indicates continuous or repeated action. Jesus was continually or was speaking (as opposed to just spoke once) the word. This highlights that His primary ministry, even amidst overwhelming demand for healing, was the ongoing proclamation and teaching.
• the word: (Greek: ton logon, singular, with the definite article). This is profoundly significant. It's not just "words" or casual conversation, but "the word," implying a specific, authoritative, and divine message – the message of God's Kingdom, the Gospel itself. Jesus' miracles drew the crowds, but it was His teaching, "the word," that they primarily came to receive, forming the basis for true faith.

Words-group analysis

• "So many gathered... not even at the door": This phrase captures the immediate, overwhelming popularity of Jesus. It speaks to the intense curiosity and deep-seated spiritual and physical needs of the people. The crowd's desperation is evident in their willingness to press into every conceivable space. This massive congregation sets the backdrop for the extraordinary lengths people would go to reach Jesus, such as lowering the paralytic through the roof, emphasizing that accessibility to Jesus was a significant challenge due to His fame.
• "and He preached the word to them": This short but pivotal statement reveals Jesus' central mission. Despite the throng, the physical pressure, and the obvious desire for healing and miracles (which would follow), Jesus remained focused on His primary task: proclaiming God's authoritative message. "The word" encompasses His teachings about the Kingdom of God, repentance, salvation, and the nature of God, serving as the foundation upon which His entire ministry, including His miracles, was built. This indicates that while His works attracted, His teaching transformed.

Mark 2 2 Bonus section

The return to Capernaum marks a shift from Jesus' solitary wilderness time (Mk 1:35-39) to active, public ministry centered in His adopted hometown. The sheer size of the crowd gathered in what was likely a modest home, underscores the radical disruption Jesus brought to ordinary life. This scenario not only indicates His celebrity but also subtly prepares the audience for the coming clash with the religious establishment who, unlike the eager crowd, would resist "the word." The detailed description of the physical space—or lack thereof—highlights Mark’s characteristic use of sensory details to make the narrative immediate and relatable to his audience. This verse positions "the word" as the ultimate prize the people sought, not just a miracle-worker for physical relief, indicating a deep spiritual receptivity to God's message.

Mark 2 2 Commentary

Mark 2:2 paints a vivid picture of the burgeoning spiritual hunger and physical press of humanity around Jesus. Having returned to Capernaum, Jesus is immediately surrounded by a multitude so dense that entry into the house, even to stand near the door, becomes impossible. This scene illustrates the widespread fame and irresistible draw of Jesus, confirming His identity as the focal point of their hope. Crucially, in this chaotic environment, Jesus' activity is precisely defined: He "preached the word." This emphasizes that His core identity and ministry were rooted in teaching and proclaiming God's message, positioning Him as the divine Logos, the embodiment of God's revelation. Miracles served to authenticate this word, but the word itself was the transformative agent people craved. The desperation shown by the crowds, unable to even enter the house, sets the immediate context for the astonishing act of faith and determination of the paralytic's friends in the following verses, highlighting the extraordinary measures taken to access Jesus and His saving power. The overflowing crowd underscores the profound spiritual need of the era, which only Jesus' word could address.