Matthew 13:2
New International Version
Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore.

New Living Translation
A large crowd soon gathered around him, so he got into a boat. Then he sat there and taught as the people stood on the shore.

English Standard Version
And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach.

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

Berean Literal Bible
And great crowds were gathered together to Him, so that He having entered into a boat, sat down, and all the crowd stood on the shore.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.

New American Standard Bible
And large crowds gathered to Him, so He got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd was standing on the beach.

NASB 1995
And large crowds gathered to Him, so He got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd was standing on the beach.

NASB 1977
And great multitudes gathered to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat down, and the whole multitude was standing on the beach.

Legacy Standard Bible
And large crowds gathered to Him, so He got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd was standing on the beach.

Amplified Bible
But such large crowds gathered around Him that He got into a boat and sat there [positioning Himself as a teacher], while the whole crowd stood on the shore.

Christian Standard Bible
Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat down, while the whole crowd stood on the shore.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Such large crowds gathered around Him that He got into a boat and sat down, while the whole crowd stood on the shore.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
Such large crowds gathered around him that he had to sit in a boat, while the people stood on the shore.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat. He sat in the boat while the entire crowd stood on the shore.

Good News Translation
The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it, while the crowd stood on the shore.

International Standard Version
Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat down, while the entire crowd stood on the shore.

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

NET Bible
And such a large crowd gathered around him that he got into a boat to sit while the whole crowd stood on the shore.

New Heart English Bible
And large crowds gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat, and sat, and all the crowd stood on the beach.

Webster's Bible Translation
And great multitudes were gathered to him, so that he went into a boat, and sat down; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.

Weymouth New Testament
when a vast multitude of people crowded round Him. He therefore went on board a boat and sat there, while all the people stood on the shore.

World English Bible
Great multitudes gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat and sat; and all the multitude stood on the beach.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and gathered together to Him were many multitudes, so that He having gone into the boat sat down, and all the multitude on the beach stood,

Berean Literal Bible
And great crowds were gathered together to Him, so that He having entered into a boat, sat down, and all the crowd stood on the shore.

Young's Literal Translation
and gathered together unto him were many multitudes, so that he having gone into the boat did sit down, and all the multitude on the beach did stand,

Smith's Literal Translation
And many crowds were assembled together to him; therefore having entered into the ship, he sat down, and all the crowd stood upon the sea-shore.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And great multitudes were gathered unto him, so that he went up into a boat and sat: and all the multitude stood on the shore.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And such great crowds were gathered to him that he climbed into a boat and he sat down. And the entire multitude stood on the shore.

New American Bible
Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood along the shore.

New Revised Standard Version
Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And many people gathered around him, so that he had to go up and sit in a boat, and all the people stood on the seashore.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And great crowds were assembled to him so that he embarked, seating himself in a ship, and all the crowds were standing on the beach by the sea.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And many multitudes came together to him, so that he went into a ship and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.

Godbey New Testament
and many multitudes were gathered unto Him, so that having gone into a ship, He sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.

Haweis New Testament
And vast multitudes were gathered together unto him, insomuch that he entered into a vessel to be seated; and all the multitude stood on the beach.

Mace New Testament
and there was so great a croud of people got about him, that he was oblig'd to go into a bark, where he sat, while the people all stood on the shore.

Weymouth New Testament
when a vast multitude of people crowded round Him. He therefore went on board a boat and sat there, while all the people stood on the shore.

Worrell New Testament
And there were gathered to Him great multitudes; so that He, having entered into a boat, sat down, and all the multitudes were standing on the beach.

Worsley New Testament
and many people were gathered together to bear Him, so that He went into a ship and sat down, and all the multitude stood upon the shore; and He spake to them many things in parables,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable of the Sower
1That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. 2Such large crowds gathered around Him that He got into a boat and sat down, while all the people stood on the shore. 3And He told them many things in parables, saying, “A farmer went out to sow his seed.…

Cross References
Mark 4:1-2
Once again Jesus began to teach beside the sea, and such a large crowd gathered around Him that He got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people crowded along the shore. / And He taught them many things in parables, and in His teaching He said,

Luke 8:4
While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, He told them this parable:

Matthew 5:1-2
When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain and sat down. His disciples came to Him, / and He began to teach them, saying:

John 6:2-3
A large crowd followed Him because they saw the signs He was performing on the sick. / Then Jesus went up on the mountain and sat down with His disciples.

Mark 3:9
Jesus asked His disciples to have a boat ready for Him so that the crowd would not crush Him.

Luke 5:1-3
On one occasion, while Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret with the crowd pressing in on Him to hear the word of God, / He saw two boats at the edge of the lake. The fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. / Jesus got into the boat belonging to Simon and asked him to put out a little from shore. And sitting down, He taught the people from the boat.

John 6:24-25
So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor His disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum to look for Him. / When they found Him on the other side of the sea, they asked Him, “Rabbi, when did You get here?”

Matthew 14:13-14
When Jesus heard about John, He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. But the crowds found out about it and followed Him on foot from the towns. / When He stepped ashore and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick.

Mark 6:34
When Jesus stepped ashore and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And He began to teach them many things.

Luke 9:11
But the crowds found out and followed Him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and He healed those who needed healing.

John 4:1
When Jesus realized that the Pharisees were aware He was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John

Matthew 15:30
Large crowds came to Him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and many others, and laid them at His feet, and He healed them.

Mark 2:13
Once again Jesus went out beside the sea. All the people came to Him, and He taught them there.

Luke 6:17-19
Then Jesus came down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of His disciples was there, along with a great number of people from all over Judea, Jerusalem, and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon. / They had come to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases, and those troubled by unclean spirits were healed. / The entire crowd was trying to touch Him, because power was coming from Him and healing them all.

John 8:2
Early in the morning He went back into the temple courts. All the people came to Him, and He sat down to teach them.


Treasury of Scripture

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

great.

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.

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:

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.

so.

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 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.

a ship.

Jump to Previous
Beach Board Boat Crowd Crowded Crowds Entered Gathered Great Large Multitude Multitudes Numbers Position Round Sat Sea Ship Shore Sit Stand Standing Stood Together Vast Whole
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Beach Board Boat Crowd Crowded Crowds Entered Gathered Great Large Multitude Multitudes Numbers Position Round Sat Sea Ship Shore Sit Stand Standing Stood Together Vast Whole
Matthew 13
1. The parable of the sower and the seed;
18. the explanation of it.
24. The parable of the weeds;
31. of the mustard seed;
33. of the leaven;
36. explanation of the parable of the weeds.
44. The parable of the hidden treasure;
45. of the pearl;
47. of the drag net cast into the sea.
53. Jesus is a prophet without honor in his own country.














Such large crowds gathered around Him
The gathering of large crowds around Jesus indicates His growing popularity and the widespread interest in His teachings and miracles. This reflects the fulfillment of prophecies such as Isaiah 9:2, which speaks of a great light shining on those in darkness. The crowds were drawn by His authority and the hope He offered, contrasting with the religious leaders of the time. This scene is set in Galilee, a region known for its diverse population and openness to new ideas, which may have contributed to the large following.

that He got into a boat and sat down
Jesus using a boat as a platform to teach is significant both practically and symbolically. Practically, the boat provided a natural amphitheater effect, allowing His voice to carry over the water to the large crowd. Symbolically, the boat can be seen as a type of the church, a vessel through which Jesus continues to teach and reach the multitudes. Sitting down to teach was a common practice for rabbis, indicating authority and a formal teaching moment, as seen in Luke 4:20 when Jesus reads from Isaiah in the synagogue.

while all the people stood on the shore
The posture of the people standing while Jesus sat to teach highlights the respect and attentiveness they had for His words. This setting also emphasizes the accessibility of Jesus' message; He was not confined to synagogues or temples but taught in open, accessible spaces. The shore of the Sea of Galilee, where this event likely took place, was a bustling area with fishermen and traders, making it an ideal location for reaching a diverse audience. This scene foreshadows the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19, where Jesus commands His disciples to go out into all the world, teaching all nations.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus
The central figure in this passage, Jesus is teaching the crowds. His choice to sit in a boat to address the people highlights His role as a teacher and leader.

2. The Crowds
Large groups of people gathered to hear Jesus speak. Their presence indicates the widespread interest in His teachings and the impact of His ministry.

3. The Boat
Jesus uses the boat as a platform to teach from, which is both practical and symbolic. It allows Him to address the large crowd effectively and symbolizes His authority over creation.

4. The Shore
The setting where the people stood to listen to Jesus. It represents a place of learning and receiving spiritual truths.

5. The Event of Teaching
This event marks the beginning of Jesus' use of parables to convey deeper spiritual truths to the people.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Accessibility in Ministry
Jesus made Himself accessible to the people by using a boat to address the crowd. In ministry, we should seek ways to reach people where they are, using available resources creatively.

The Power of the Word
Despite the large crowd, Jesus' words were powerful enough to reach everyone. This reminds us of the power of God's Word to penetrate hearts and minds, regardless of the setting.

The Role of Creation in God's Plan
Jesus' use of natural elements, like the boat and the shore, shows how creation can serve God's purposes. We should recognize and utilize the resources God has provided in our environment for His glory.

The Significance of Gathering for Teaching
The gathering of the crowd signifies the importance of community in learning and growing in faith. We should prioritize gathering with others to study and learn from God's Word.Verse 2. - And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship. The article wrongly inserted in the Received Text (τὸ πλοῖον) suggests that it was the boat which, as some think, waited upon him. (For another occasion when he taught from a boat, cf. Luke 5:3.) And sat; and the whole multitude stood; was standing. The position of ἱστήκει at the end of the sentence in the Greek emphasizes their attitude. Their numbers compelled it, and they disregarded the fatigue. Further, the tense (pluperf., equivalent to imperf.) pictures them as patiently standing there. On the shore; beach (Revised Version); ἐπὶ τὸν αἰγιαλόν: i.e. this part at least of the shore was covered with sand or pebbles. Possibly we have signs of an eyewitness, both in the exact description of the spot, and in the vividness of the ἱστήκει (comp. John 1:35, al.; and Bishop Westcott's remarks in Expositor, III. 5:248; cf., too, Introduction, p. 12.).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[Such]
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

large
πολλοί (polloi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4183: Much, many; often.

crowds
ὄχλοι (ochloi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3793: From a derivative of echo; a throng; by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot.

gathered
συνήχθησαν (synēchthēsan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4863: From sun and ago; to lead together, i.e. Collect or convene; specially, to entertain.

around
πρὸς (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

Him
αὐτὸν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

that
ὥστε (hōste)
Conjunction
Strong's 5620: So that, therefore, so then, so as to. From hos and te; so too, i.e. Thus therefore.

He
αὐτὸν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

got into
ἐμβάντα (embanta)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1684: To step in; I go onboard a ship, embark. From en and the base of basis; to walk on, i.e. Embark, reach.

a boat
πλοῖον (ploion)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4143: A ship, vessel, boat. From pleo; a sailer, i.e. Vessel.

[and] sat down,
καθῆσθαι (kathēsthai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Middle or Passive
Strong's 2521: To sit, be seated, enthroned; I dwell, reside. From kata; and hemai; to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside.

while
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

all
πᾶς (pas)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

people
ὄχλος (ochlos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3793: From a derivative of echo; a throng; by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot.

stood
εἱστήκει (heistēkei)
Verb - Pluperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2476: A prolonged form of a primary stao stah'-o; to stand, used in various applications.

on
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

shore.
αἰγιαλὸν (aigialon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 123: Sea-coast, (sandy) beach; shore (of sea or lake), land. From aisso and hals (on which the waves dash).


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NT Gospels: Matthew 13:2 Great multitudes gathered to him so that (Matt. Mat Mt)
Matthew 13:1
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