MARK 3 9 JESUS INSTRUCTS HIS DISCIPLES TO PREPARE A BOAT

 JESUS INSTRUCTED HIS DISCIPLES TO HAVE A BOAT READY SO THE CROWD WOULD NOT CRUSH HIM

Context:   In the preceding verses the crowds are defined by origin - unspecified groups from all over Israel as far as Sydon.  

In this verse it is as if the camera comes into focus and the detail of the boat brings the image nearer, more realistic.    It does not say at what time of the day Jesus instructed his disciples, but the following verse says that Jesus had healed many sick people that day.  We can assume it is the afternoon, possibly the late afternoon on the lake of Galilee.  Jesus gives commands to his disciples showing that He is the Teacher and Master and they the servants.

The fact that Jesus protects himself physically from the crowd reinforces his humanity and the fragility of the human body - showing that He is truly human as well as divine.  This detail did not have to be put in, but also acts as a focusing in on a detail - the detail of Jesus' human body.

Amen