Mark 5 21

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.

Mark 5:21 nkjv

Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea.

Mark 5:21 niv

When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake.

Mark 5:21 esv

And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea.

Mark 5:21 nlt

Jesus got into the boat again and went back to the other side of the lake, where a large crowd gathered around him on the shore.

Mark 5 verses

Mark 5 21 Meaning

Mark 5:21 concisely describes Jesus' return by boat from the eastern, predominantly Gentile side of the Sea of Galilee to the western, Jewish side. Immediately upon His arrival, a large crowd eagerly gathered around Him while He remained by the seashore. This verse serves as a crucial transition point, re-establishing Jesus in the heart of His Galilean ministry and setting the stage for the profound miracles and interactions that follow with Jairus and the woman with the issue of blood.

Mark 5 21 Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' encounter in the Gentile region of Gerasa, where He healed a man possessed by a legion of demons (Mk 5:1-20). The residents of Gerasa, overwhelmed and fearful, asked Jesus to leave their territory (Mk 5:17). Mark 5:21 then depicts Jesus' prompt return across the Sea of Galilee, presumably to Capernaum or a nearby area on the western, Jewish side. The spontaneous gathering of a large crowd highlights the stark contrast in reception: while the Gentiles of Gerasa rejected Him, the Jewish crowds eagerly awaited and welcomed His return. This specific setting by the sea positions Him in a well-known public space where He frequently taught and ministered. The verse directly precedes the urgent pleas of Jairus, a synagogue leader, and the faith of a woman suffering from a hemorrhage, thus serving as the immediate preamble for two powerful miracles demonstrating Jesus' authority over disease and death.

Mark 5 21 Word analysis

• And (Καὶ - kai): A common Markan connective, frequently beginning sentences. It signals a swift continuation of the narrative, characteristic of Mark's fast-paced style, moving from one event directly to the next.
• when Jesus was passed over again (διαπεράσαντος τοῦ Ἰησοῦ πάλιν - diaperasntos tou Iēsou palin):
  • διαπεράσαντος (diaperasntos): Aorist active participle of diaperaō, "to cross over" or "to pass through." It indicates a completed action, Jesus having successfully traversed the sea.
  • πάλιν (palin): "Again," "once more." This key adverb emphasizes that this is a return journey. Jesus had just crossed to the other side (Mark 5:1), and now He is crossing back. This underscores the cyclical nature of His ministry movements and the strategic shift in focus from the Gentile region back to His primary sphere of ministry among the Jewish people.
• by ship (ἐν τῷ πλοίῳ - en tō ploiō): This indicates the customary mode of transport across the Sea of Galilee. It lends a touch of realism to the narrative and places Jesus in an ordinary setting amidst His divine activities.
• unto the other side (ἐπὶ τὸ πέραν - epi to peran): Here, "the other side" refers specifically to the western, Jewish populated region of Galilee, likely the vicinity of Capernaum, where much of Jesus' Galilean ministry took place. This distinguishes it from the eastern "other side" (Decapolis) from which He just departed. This movement back signals a return to His primary focus of ministering to the "lost sheep of Israel."
• much people gathered unto him (συνήχθη πρὸς αὐτὸν ὄχλος πολύς - synēchthē pros auton ochlos polys):
  • συνήχθη (synēchthē): Aorist passive of synagō, "to gather together" or "to assemble." The passive voice implies that the crowd congregated or was drawn together by Jesus' arrival. The immediacy of this gathering suggests anticipation and intense interest in His return.
  • ὄχλος πολύς (ochlos polys): "A great multitude" or "a large crowd." This phrase frequently appears in the Gospels, highlighting Jesus' immense popularity and the widespread need and hunger for His teaching and healing. The term suggests an eager and perhaps dense gathering of people.
• and he was nigh unto the sea (καὶ ἦν παρὰ τὴν θάλασσαν - kai ēn para tēn thalassan):
  • ἦν παρὰ (ēn para): "He was near," "by," or "beside." This precisely locates Jesus at the shoreline.
  • τὴν θάλασσαν (tēn thalassan): "The sea" (of Galilee). The sea is a recurring significant location in Mark's Gospel, often serving as a backdrop for Jesus' ministry (teaching, miracles like stilling the storm and walking on water). Being by the sea signifies His accessibility to the people, as the shoreline was a natural gathering point for fishermen, merchants, and general public.

Mark 5 21 Bonus section

• The phrase "passed over again" emphasizes the purposeful navigation by Jesus, not a random wandering. This crossing is part of His divine itinerary.
• The immediate convergence of the crowd signifies the established network of communication and excitement surrounding Jesus' movements in Galilee. People were eagerly watching for His return.
• The location by the sea, specifically on the western shore, typically implies an area near Capernaum, which served as Jesus' adopted hometown during His Galilean ministry, making it a natural center for activity and large gatherings.
• This verse subtly reinforces the distinction between the "other side" (Gentile territory where He was asked to leave) and "this side" (Jewish territory where He was welcomed), highlighting different levels of spiritual receptivity.

Mark 5 21 Commentary

Mark 5:21 functions as a pivotal narrative hinge, bridging the solitary encounter in Gentile territory with the re-engagement of Jesus' dynamic public ministry among the Jews. His strategic return from a place of rejection to an immediate embrace by "a great crowd" starkly underscores His divine authority and magnetic presence, showcasing the divergent responses to the Gospel message. The enthusiastic assembly of people signifies not only His popular appeal but also the profound spiritual and physical needs pervasive among them, setting a compelling stage for the dramatic and interwoven miracles that follow: the healing of Jairus' daughter and the woman with the hemorrhage. His position "by the sea" is deliberate, placing Him in a familiar public forum, ready to respond to urgent pleas, illustrating His constant availability and compassionate response to the cries of humanity. This scene affirms the relentless pace of Jesus' ministry and His commitment to His covenant people, even as He has just demonstrated His power extends beyond Israel's borders.