Devine Scripture

Matthew 13:2

What does Matthew 13:2 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 13:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 13:2 means

Verse 2 describes the crowd’s size and Jesus’ use of a boat to amplify his voice—he sits in the boat while the crowd stands on the shore. This practical detail shows the popularity of his ministry and the immediacy of his teaching. The arrangement emphasizes Jesus’ accessibility: he speaks to many kinds of people who stand to listen. It also highlights the contrast between his small, humble means (a boat) and the large influence of his words.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And there were gathered unto him great multitudes, so that he entered into a boat, and sat; and all the multitude stood on the beach.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And there were gathered unto him great multitudes, so that he entered into a boat, and sat; and all the multitude stood on the beach.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And great numbers of people came together to him, so that he got into a boat; and the people took up their position by the sea.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and gathered together unto him were many multitudes, so that he having gone into the boat did sit down, and all the multitude on the beach did stand,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went up into a boat and sat: and all the multitude stood on the shore.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And great crowds were gathered together to him, so that going on board ship himself he sat down, and the whole crowd stood on the shore.

Context

Following the move to the seaside, this verse explains why Jesus uses parables: large multitudes require memorable, vivid teaching. The detail prepares for parables with agricultural images familiar to an agrarian audience and signals that what follows is public teaching directed at a broad, varied response.

v.1On that day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.

v.2This passage

v.3And he spake to them many things in parables, saying, Behold, the sower went forth to sow;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 5:3

    And he entered into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the multitudes out of the boat.

  • Luke 8:4

    And when a great multitude came together, and they of every city resorted unto him, he spake by a parable:

  • Mark 4:1

    And again he began to teach by the sea side. And there is gathered unto him a very great multitude, so that he entered into a boat, and sat in the sea; and all the multitude were by the sea on the land.

  • Genesis 49:10

    The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh come; And unto him shall the obedience of the peoples be.

  • Matthew 4:25

    And there followed him great multitudes from Galilee and Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judæa and from beyond the Jordan.

  • Matthew 15:30

    And there came unto him great multitudes, having with them the lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and they cast them down at his feet; and he healed them:

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