And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.

MARK 5:21KJV
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Mark 5:21 (KJV)

What does Mark 5:21 mean?

Mark 5:21 describes how Jesus returned by boat to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, where a large crowd gathered around him as he stayed near the shore. This verse sets the scene for the events that follow, showing that Jesus’ presence attracted many people eager to see or hear him.

In this verse, Mark is narrating what happened after Jesus crossed back over the lake. The crowd’s quick gathering highlights Jesus’ growing reputation and the people’s eagerness for his teaching and miracles. The mention of Jesus being “nigh unto the sea” shows he had just arrived and had not yet moved inland, making it easier for the crowd to approach him.

The Greek behind Mark 5:21

  • The word for “gathered” is συνήχθη (synēchthē), which often means people coming together with a purpose. Here, it emphasizes that the crowd was intentionally seeking out Jesus, not just happening to be nearby.
  • The phrase “nigh unto the sea” uses παρά (para), meaning “beside” or “near,” and θάλασσα (thalassa), meaning “sea.” This detail shows Jesus was still right at the water’s edge, not yet surrounded by buildings or in a town.

Why Mark 5:21 matters

  • Mark 5:21 helps the reader see how quickly news about Jesus spread and how eager people were to be near him, setting up the urgency and expectation in the stories that follow.
  • The verse connects the events before and after, showing a transition from one side of the Sea of Galilee to the other, which helps track Jesus’ movements and the flow of the narrative.
  • By noting that Jesus was still by the sea, Mark highlights how accessible Jesus was to the crowds, which often led to dramatic encounters and miracles in the following verses.

Where else these words appear

“over” Greek G1276 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 9:1 And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.
  • Matthew 14:34 And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.
  • Luke 16:26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

“side” Greek G4008 · used in 23 verses

  • Matthew 4:15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;
  • Mark 3:8 And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him.
  • John 1:28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.

“gathered” Greek G4863 · used in 62 verses

  • Matthew 2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
  • Matthew 27:17 Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?
  • John 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

“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.