Mar 3:7-9 | RWP | e4.org | Withdrew to the sea ( ανεχωρησεν εις την θαλασσαν ). Evidently Jesus knew of the plot to kill him, "perceiving it" ( ). "He and His would be safer by the open beach" (Swete). He has the disciples with him. Vincent notes that on eleven occasions Mark mentions the withdrawals of Jesus to escape his enemies, for prayer, for rest, for private conference with his disciples ( ; ; , ; , ; ; ; ). But, as often, a great multitude ( πολυ πληθος ) from Galilee followed him.

‏ Mark 3:7-9

Withdrew to the sea ( ανεχωρησεν εις την θαλασσαν ). Evidently Jesus knew of the plot to kill him, "perceiving it" (Mt 12:15). "He and His would be safer by the open beach" (Swete). He has the disciples with him. Vincent notes that on eleven occasions Mark mentions the withdrawals of Jesus to escape his enemies, for prayer, for rest, for private conference with his disciples (1:12; 3:7; 6:31, 46; 7:24, 31; 9:2; 10:1; 14:34). But, as often, a great multitude ( πολυ πληθος ) from Galilee followed him.

Hearing what great things he did ( ακουοντες οσα ποιε ). Masculine plural present participle, though πληθος is neuter singular (construction according to sense in both number and gender). This crowd by the sea came from Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, beyond Jordan (Decapolis and Perea), Tyre and Sidon, Phoenicia, North, South, East, and Northwest, even from Idumea (mentioned here alone in the N.T.) won by John Hyrcanus to Palestine. "In our Lord's time Idumea was practically a part of Judea with a Jewish circumcised population" (George Adam Smith). Many of these were probably Gentiles (Phoenicia and Decapolis) and may have known only the Greek language. The fame of Jesus had spread through all the regions round about. There was a jam as the crowds came to Jesus by the Sea of Galilee.

That a little boat should wait on him ( ινα πλοιαριον προσκαρτερη αυτω ). The boat was to keep close (note present tense subjunctive of προσκαρτερεω ) to the shore in constant readiness and move as Jesus did. Whether he needed it or not is not told, but it was there at hand.

Lest they should throng him ( ινα μη θλιβωσιν αυτον ). Press or crush him. Jesus stayed with the crowds for they needed him. Present subjunctive again.