And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala.

MATTHEW 15:39KJV
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Matthew 15:39 (KJV)

What does Matthew 15:39 mean?

Matthew 15:39 describes how Jesus dismissed the large crowd that had gathered around him, then got into a boat and traveled to the region of Magdala. This verse marks a transition point, showing Jesus moving on to a new location after finishing his ministry in that area.

Jesus is the one acting in this verse, and the people he sends away are the crowds who had come to hear him and receive healing. After caring for their needs, Jesus boards a boat—something common in his ministry around the Sea of Galilee—and heads toward Magdala, a town on the western shore. This simple statement sets up the next events in the story and shows Jesus’ pattern of moving from place to place.

The Greek behind Matthew 15:39

  • The word translated "multitude" is ὄχλος (ochlos), which often refers to a large group of ordinary people gathered together, highlighting the scale of Jesus’ audience.
  • The phrase "took ship" uses the Greek words εἰς (eis, "into") and πλοῖον (ploion, "boat" or "ship"), showing that Jesus physically entered a boat to travel, a detail that emphasizes the practical realities of his ministry.
  • "Coasts" is from the Greek χώρα (chōra), which can mean region or territory, not just a shoreline, so it points to Jesus arriving in the general area around Magdala, not necessarily right on the water’s edge.
  • "Magdala" (Μαγδαλά, Magdala) refers to a specific town, which is significant because it situates the next part of Jesus’ ministry in a real, identifiable place.

Why Matthew 15:39 matters

  • This verse helps clarify the flow of events, showing that Jesus often moved from place to place after ministering to crowds, rather than staying in one area.
  • By mentioning Magdala, the verse connects Jesus’ journey to a real location, grounding the story in actual geography and history.
  • The transition here sets up the next encounters and teachings, reminding readers that each movement in Jesus’ ministry was purposeful and often led to new opportunities for teaching and healing.

Where else these words appear

“coasts” Greek G3725 · used in 10 verses

  • Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
  • Matthew 15:22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.
  • Mark 7:31 And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis.

“took” 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.

“away” Greek G630 · used in 63 verses

  • Matthew 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
  • Mark 8:9 And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away.
  • Luke 23:22 And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.

“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.