Mark 2:13

Mark 2:13, in plain English

Jesus went back to the shore of the lake, and crowds gathered around Him again as He taught.

Why it's here

After that incredible scene in the house, Jesus headed back to the open lakeshore. The crowds kept coming, and He kept teaching. No building could contain either His message or the people who wanted to hear it.

Who's speaking

Mark briefly notes Jesus' return to lakeside teaching between major events.

Where it sits in the story

The pattern continued: wherever Jesus went, people followed. And wherever people gathered, Jesus taught. His classroom was the open sky, and everyone was welcome.

The scholarly reading

Jesus returned to the seaside (para tēn thalassan), where crowds gathered and He taught them, continuing His pattern of open-air instruction.

Language and setting

The lakeside setting allowed Jesus to address larger crowds than indoor spaces permitted and became one of His characteristic teaching venues in Mark's Gospel.

Voice

Mark provides a brief transitional narrative, moving Jesus from the house to the seashore.

Significance

After the intense indoor confrontation with the scribes, Jesus returned to the open lakeside. The transition from house to seashore reflects the expansive, inclusive nature of His teaching ministry.

11“I tell you, get up, pick up your mat, and go home.”

12And immediately the man got up, picked up his mat, and walked out in front of them all. As a result, they were all astounded and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

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

14As He was walking along, He saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth. “Follow Me,” He told him, and Levi got up and followed Him.

15While Jesus was dining at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with Him and His disciples—for there were many who followed Him.

Read all of Mark 2 — Jesus forgives sins, eats with outcasts, and lets his disciples skip fasting. The religious leaders can barely keep up with the offenses.