Mark 5:21

And when Iesus was passed ouer againe by ship vnto the other side, much people gathered vnto him, and he was nigh vnto the Sea. Mark 5:21 (KJV)

The narrative that follows this verse picks up after Jesus has crossed the Sea of Galilee, an event that earlier in Mark’s Gospel culminated in the calming of a violent storm (Mark 4:35‑41). Upon reaching the opposite shore, He encounters the man possessed by a legion of demons (Mark 5:1‑20) and frees him from torment. The verse itself records that “much people gathered unto him” and that He was “nigh unto the sea,” suggesting a crowd eager to witness His power and hear His teaching.

It is important to note, however, that the wording of this verse does not appear in the standard King James Version or in other common translations. In the canonical text, Mark 5:21 reads, “And when Jesus had entered again into Capernaum after the people had pressed upon him out of the town…,” which omits any reference to a ship crossing, a gathering crowd, or proximity to the sea. The supplied verse therefore reflects a variant rendering that some readers encounter in certain manuscript traditions.

Regardless of the textual variation, the themes highlighted by the passage remain consistent with Mark’s broader portrait of Jesus. The attraction of large crowds underscores the growing reputation of Jesus as a healer and teacher; people from diverse backgrounds sought Him, recognizing His extraordinary wisdom and divine authority. The mention of the sea evokes the symbolic backdrop of chaos and uncertainty that recurs throughout the Gospel, reminding readers of Jesus’ willingness to enter the midst of human struggle and bring hope, deliverance, and salvation.

The verse also sets the stage for the subsequent healing of the woman with the issue of blood and the raising of Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5:22‑43). These events further develop the themes of Jesus’ authority, the power of faith, the compassion of Christ, and the transformative impact of encountering Him. In this way, whether read in its variant form or in the standard translation, the passage invites believers to reflect on the depth of Christ’s compassion and the invitation to trust in His redemptive work.