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.

MATTHEW 13:2KJV
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Matthew 13:2 (KJV)

What does Matthew 13:2 mean?

Matthew 13:2 describes how such a large crowd gathered around Jesus that he got into a boat and sat down, while the entire crowd stood on the shore to listen to him. This verse shows the great interest people had in hearing Jesus teach, and it sets the scene for what he is about to say.

In this moment, Jesus is by the Sea of Galilee, and the crowds are so numerous that he uses a boat as a place to sit and teach, creating a natural separation from the people on the shore. The verse highlights both the practical challenge of addressing a "great multitude" and the eagerness of the people to hear him, which leads into the parables he begins to teach in this chapter.

The Greek behind Matthew 13:2

  • The word for "great" is πολύς (polys), which often means "many" or "large." Here, it emphasizes just how big the crowd was—this was not a small gathering, but a significant event drawing many people.
  • The Greek word for "multitudes" is ὄχλος (ochlos), meaning a crowd or a large group of people. The use of the plural form suggests there were multiple groups or a very sizable assembly.
  • The phrase "stood on the shore" uses the word ἐπί (epi) for "on," and αἰγιαλός (aigialos) for "shore," painting a vivid picture of the people remaining on the land while Jesus is separated from them in the boat.

Why Matthew 13:2 matters

  • This verse helps explain why Jesus sometimes taught from a boat—practically, it allowed him to address a large crowd without being pressed in by people, and the water could help carry his voice.
  • The scene underscores the popularity and authority of Jesus at this point in his ministry, as crowds from various places gathered to hear him.
  • Understanding this setting makes the following parables more vivid, as readers can picture Jesus teaching to a sea of people, using stories that would be memorable and easy to hear from the shore.

Where else these words appear

“shore” Greek G123 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 13:48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.
  • John 21:4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.
  • Acts 27:39 And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.

“went” Greek G1684 · used in 18 verses

  • Matthew 8:23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.
  • Mark 4:1 And 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.
  • Luke 8:22 Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth.

“together” 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 27:27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.
  • 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.