Mark 3:9

9 And he spoke to his disciples, in order that a little ship should wait upon him on account of the crowd, that they might not press upon him.

Mark 3:9 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 3:9

And he spake unto his disciples
In an authoritative way; he ordered and commanded them,

that a small ship should wait on him:
that a boat should be got ready, be near at hand, and attend him, who was on shore; that he might go into it, should there be any occasion for it; and from thence preach to the people:

because of the multitude;
which came from the above parts, and all together made a very numerous body of people:

lest they should throng him;
crowd, press, afflict, and distress, and make him uneasy, that he could not be able to stand conveniently, and preach to them: so that should this be the case, as it was very likely it would, having a small vessel near the shore, he could go into it, and free himself from such an inconvenience.

Mark 3:9 In-Context

7 And Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea; and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea,

8 and from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea and beyond the Jordan; and they of around Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, having heard what things he did, came to him.

9 And he spoke to his disciples, in order that a little ship should wait upon him on account of the crowd, that they might not press upon him.

10 For he healed many, so that they beset him that they might touch him, as many as had plagues.

11 And the unclean spirits, when they beheld him, fell down before him, and cried saying, *Thou* art the Son of God.