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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
συνήχθησαν
were gathered together
G4863
συνήχθησαν
were gathered together
Strong's:
G4863
Word #:
2 of 21
to lead together, i.e., collect or convene; specially, to entertain (hospitably)
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
3 of 21
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 21
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὄχλος
multitude
G3793
ὄχλος
multitude
Strong's:
G3793
Word #:
5 of 21
a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot
πολλοί
great
G4183
πολλοί
great
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
6 of 21
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
ὥστε
so that
G5620
ὥστε
so that
Strong's:
G5620
Word #:
7 of 21
so too, i.e., thus therefore (in various relations of consecution, as follow)
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 21
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
9 of 21
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐμβάντα
he went
G1684
ἐμβάντα
he went
Strong's:
G1684
Word #:
12 of 21
to walk on, i.e., embark (aboard a vessel), reach (a pool)
καθῆσθαι
and sat
G2521
καθῆσθαι
and sat
Strong's:
G2521
Word #:
13 of 21
and ???? (to sit; akin to the base of g1476); to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὄχλος
multitude
G3793
ὄχλος
multitude
Strong's:
G3793
Word #:
17 of 21
a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot
ἐπὶ
on
G1909
ἐπὶ
on
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
18 of 21
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Luke 5:3And 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.Mark 4:1And 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.Matthew 4:25And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.Matthew 15:30And 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 49:10The 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.
Historical Context
Galilean fishing boats were approximately 25-30 feet long, sturdy enough for Jesus and disciples. Speaking from boat to shore was common teaching method. Crowds grew enormous as Jesus' fame spread—thousands gathered (14:21, 15:38). Without amplification, natural acoustics were crucial. The geographic setting enabled teaching large crowds while maintaining order. Modern archaeological excavations have recovered first-century fishing boats from Galilee's shores, confirming Gospel accounts' historical reliability. Early church saw these boat teachings as fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy of light to Galilee (Isaiah 9:1-2).
Questions for Reflection
- What does the crowd's size reveal about hunger for Jesus' teaching?
- How can we create appropriate boundaries while remaining accessible for ministry?
- What role does wisdom about setting and logistics play in effective teaching?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The crowd necessitates boat: 'great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore' (και συνηχθησαν προς αυτον οχλοι πολλοι ωστε αυτον εις πλοιον εμβαντα καθησθαι και πας ο οχλος επι τον αιγιαλον ειστηκει). 'Great multitudes' (οχλοι πολλοι) indicates massive crowds drawn by Jesus' teaching and miracles. Getting 'into a ship' (εις πλοιον) provided separation, safety, and acoustics. Water carries sound well; the shore creates natural amphitheater. Jesus 'sat' (καθησθαι) in boat while crowd 'stood' (ειστηκει) on shore—teaching posture. This image captures Jesus' ministry: pursued by crowds seeking truth yet maintaining appropriate distance for effective teaching. The boat prevents crushing while enabling communication.