And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him.

And he spake to his disciples, that a little boat should wait on him because of the crowd, lest they should throng him:

And he spoke to his disciples, in order that a little ship should wait upon him on account of the crowd, that they might not press upon him.

And he spoke to his disciples, that a small boat should wait on him, because of the multitude, lest they should throng him.

And he said to his disciples that a little boat may wait on him, because of the multitude, that they may not press upon him,

So He gave directions to His disciples to keep a small boat in constant attendance on Him because of the throng - to prevent their crushing Him.

And he made a request to his disciples to have a little boat ready for him, so that he might not be crushed by the people;

And he told his disciples that a small boat should stay near him because of the crowd, so that they would not press on him.

And he told his disciples that a small boat would be useful to him, because of the crowd, lest they press upon him.

So Jesus told his disciples to keep a small boat close by, so that the crowd would not crush him.

A small ship - Rather a "boat." There were properly speaking, no "ships" on the Sea of Tiberias. This was probably a small boat that belonged to the disciples, in which he could draw off from the shore, and teach the people without being pressed by them.
Lest they should throng him - They pressed upon him in great numbers. He had healed many, and those who were still diseased pressed or crowded on him, so that his labors were interrupted and embarrassed. He therefore withdrew from the multitude, and sought a situation where he might address them to greater advantage.

A small ship - Πλοιαριον. The lytil boot, Old English MS. It was doubtless something of the boat kind, which probably belonged to some of the disciples. Our Lord was at this time teaching by the sea of Galilee. The word ship is utterly improper in many places of our translation, and tends to mislead the people.

And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should (g) wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him.
(g) Should always be ready for him.

And he spake unto his disciples,.... In an authoritative way; he ordered and commanded them,
that a small ship should wait on him: that a boat should be got ready, be near at hand, and attend him, who was on shore; that he might go into it, should there be any occasion for it; and from thence preach to the people:
because of the multitude; which came from the above parts, and all together made a very numerous body of people:
lest they should throng him; crowd, press, afflict, and distress, and make him uneasy, that he could not be able to stand conveniently, and preach to them: so that should this be the case, as it was very likely it would, having a small vessel near the shore, he could go into it, and free himself from such an inconvenience.

A small ship. A fishing boat. The Revision correctly renders the term by the word boat.