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Mark 4:35

ESV On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.”
NIV That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, 'Let us go over to the other side.'
NASB On that day, when evening came, He *said to them, 'Let’s go over to the other side.'
CSB On that day, when evening had come, he told them, "Let's cross over to the other side of the sea."
NLT As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, 'Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.'
KJV And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

What does Mark 4:35 mean?

Jesus has been teaching by the Sea of Galilee, most likely near Capernaum. The crowd has grown so big that He has to sit in a boat offshore in order not to be mobbed (Mark 3:9; 4:1). His parables have focused on how the gospel will spread and what reactions His disciples should expect.

But now He is exhausted. His teaching and healing ministry often leaves Him without time to eat (Mark 3:20) or sleep (Mark 1:32–39). The crowd of people has heard all they can take in at that moment (Mark 4:33), and it's time to move on. It's unclear exactly where they are headed other than across the lake. Mark 5:1 says they will land in the "country of the Gerasenes," but we're not sure where that is. It's probably on the central east coast, about seven miles away.

Despite His fatigue, Jesus invites the twelve to leave with Him. Jesus carefully prioritizes how He spends His time. He slips away to speak with God (Mark 1:35), draws the twelve away for special training (Mark 3:13–14), welcomes a larger group of disciples who want to learn from Him (Mark 3:33–34; 4:10), and teaches parables to crowds (Mark 4:1–2). Soon He will spend extra time with Peter, James, and John (Mark 5:37; 9:2–8; 14:33). By keeping the disciples close, Jesus ensures they will learn the right lessons from their time together.
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