Mark 3:9

9 And Jesus said to his disciples, that the [little] boat should serve to him, for the people, lest they thrust him [that the little boat should serve him, for the company of people, lest they oppressed 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 But Jesus with his disciples went to the sea; and much people from Galilee [and much company from Galilee] and from Judaea followed him,

8 and from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan, and they that were about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, hearing the things that he did, came to him.

9 And Jesus said to his disciples, that the [little] boat should serve to him, for the people, lest they thrust him [that the little boat should serve him, for the company of people, lest they oppressed him];

10 for he healed many, so that they felled fast to him, to touch him. And how many ever had sicknesses [Forsooth how many ever had sores, or wounds],

11 and unclean spirits, when they saw him, felled down to him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.