Mark 5:21

Mark 5:21, in plain English

Jesus crosses back over the lake and a huge crowd immediately gathers around him by the shore. Everyone wants to be near him.

Why it's here

After the Gentile encounter, Jesus is back on familiar ground. But there's no rest — the crowds are waiting, and two life-or-death situations are about to collide.

Who's speaking

Mark sets the scene for the next series of events.

Where it sits in the story

Back on the other side, and the crowds are already there. Two people in this crowd are about to have their lives changed forever — and their stories are woven together beautifully.

The scholarly reading

Jesus returns to the western (Jewish) shore, where a 'large crowd' (ochlos polys) gathers, resuming the pattern of overwhelming public demand that characterizes his Galilean ministry.

Language and setting

The crossing back signals a return to Jewish territory and sets the stage for two interwoven miracle stories (Jairus' daughter and the hemorrhaging woman) — a classic Markan 'sandwich' or intercalation.

Voice

Mark narrates Jesus' return and the crowd's gathering.

Significance

Crossing back to the Jewish side, Jesus is immediately surrounded by crowds. Mark now begins one of his masterful narrative sandwiches — two intertwined stories of desperate faith.

19But Jesus would not allow him. “Go home to your own people,” He said, “and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy He has shown you.”

20So the man went away and began to proclaim throughout the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed.

21When Jesus had again crossed by boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around Him beside the sea.

22A synagogue leader named Jairus arrived, and seeing Jesus, he fell at His feet

23and pleaded with Him urgently, “My little daughter is near death. Please come and place Your hands on her, so that she will be healed and live.”

Read all of Mark 5 — A man possessed by a thousand demons, a woman who has bled for twelve years, a father whose daughter has just died — all healed in a single chapter.