Mark 4:1

Mark 4:1. And again he began. ‘Began' may refer either to this new mode of instruction, or to His beginning with the gathering of the crowd. ‘Again' may point to a similar occasion (chap. Mark 3:7).

A very great multitude; lit., ‘greatest.' There is every reason to believe that this was the greatest. It was the turning point in His public teaching; since the parabolic instruction now begins.

A boat. Probably the one provided for this purpose (see chap. Mark 3:9). It is doubtful whether the definite article is here used in the Greek.

In the sea. The boat was small, and His position was near the surface of the water, the audience being slightly elevated above Him. This is the best way of arranging an audience, but the world seems to have discovered it quicker than the church.