And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

MARK 4:36KJV
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Mark 4:36 (KJV)

What does Mark 4:36 mean?

Mark 4:36 describes how, after dismissing the crowd, Jesus’ disciples took him with them in the boat just as he was, and other small boats accompanied them. The verse sets the scene for what follows by showing Jesus leaving the shore with his disciples and noting that several other boats were present.

This moment comes right after Jesus has been teaching a large crowd by the sea. The disciples, following his instructions, take him away from the crowd in the same boat he had been using to teach. The mention of “other little ships” highlights that they were not alone on the water, suggesting a wider group of followers or onlookers nearby.

The Greek behind Mark 4:36

  • The word for “ship” (πλοῖον, ploion) and “ships” (πλοιάρια, ploiaria) are both used, but the second refers to “little ships,” emphasizing that there were multiple smaller boats in addition to the main one with Jesus. This detail is unique to Mark and adds vividness to the scene.
  • The phrase “even as he was” uses the Greek ὡς ἦν (hōs ēn), which is often understood to mean Jesus was taken just as he was, without any special preparation or delay. This gives a sense of immediacy and continuity from his teaching to the journey across the lake.

Why Mark 4:36 matters

  • The verse clears up that Jesus did not go off privately with only the twelve disciples; there were other boats nearby, which may help explain the later events on the water.
  • Mark’s detail that Jesus was taken “just as he was” suggests there was no break between his teaching and the journey, highlighting his exhaustion and humanity.
  • This verse connects the teaching ministry of Jesus with the coming storm narrative, showing a seamless transition from public teaching to a private moment with his disciples.

Where else these words appear

“ships” Greek G4142 · used in 5 verses

  • Mark 3:9 And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him.
  • John 6:22 The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone;
  • John 6:23 (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:)

“took” Greek G3880 · used in 50 verses

  • Matthew 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
  • Mark 5:40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.
  • Acts 16:33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

“ship” Greek G4143 · used in 64 verses

  • Matthew 4:21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
  • Mark 6:45 And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.
  • Acts 21:2 And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth.

“away” Greek G863 · used in 133 verses

  • Matthew 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
  • Mark 2:5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
  • Luke 11:42 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.