Jesus
The central figure of the New Testament, Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Yeshua, meaning "Yahweh is salvation." This name encapsulates His mission and purpose. In this context, Jesus is portrayed as the authoritative teacher and prophet, whose actions and words are pivotal for understanding the Kingdom of God. His movement and actions are deliberate, serving as a model for His followers.

went out of the house
This phrase indicates a physical transition from a private setting to a more public one. The "house" may symbolize the confines of traditional Jewish teaching or the intimate setting of His immediate followers. By stepping out, Jesus is making His message accessible to a broader audience. The Greek "ἐξελθὼν ἐκ τῆς οἰκίας" (exelthōn ek tēs oikias) suggests a purposeful departure, emphasizing the shift from private instruction to public proclamation.

and sat
In the cultural and historical context of the time, sitting was the posture of a teacher. By sitting, Jesus assumes the role of a rabbi or teacher, ready to impart wisdom. The Greek "ἐκάθισεν" (ekathisen) implies a settled, authoritative position, preparing to deliver teachings that require attentive listening. This act of sitting signifies readiness to engage with the crowd in a meaningful way.

by the sea
The "sea" refers to the Sea of Galilee, a significant location in Jesus' ministry. It was a hub of activity and commerce, making it an ideal place for reaching diverse groups of people. The sea also holds symbolic meaning, representing the vastness and depth of God's creation and the reach of His message. In the Greek, "παρὰ τὴν θάλασσαν" (para tēn thalassan) suggests proximity and accessibility, indicating that Jesus' teachings are meant to reach all who are willing to listen. The setting by the sea also evokes imagery of the natural world, which Jesus often used in His parables to illustrate spiritual truths.

(1, 2) The same day . . . out of the house.--In St. Mark the parable of the Sower follows the appearance of the mother and the brethren, as in St. Matthew, but in St. Luke (Luke 8:4-15; Luke 8:19-21) the order is inverted. In this case the order of the first Gospel seems preferable, as giving a more intelligible sequence of events. The malignant accusation of the Pharisees, the plots against His life, the absence of real support where He might most have looked for it, the opposition roused by the directness of His teaching--this led to His presenting that teaching in a form which was at once more attractive, less open to attack, better as an intellectual and spiritual training for His disciples, better also as a test of character, and therefore an education for the multitude.

That our Lord had been speaking in a house up to this point is implied in the "standing without" of Matthew 12:46. He now turns to the crowd that followed, and lest the pressure should interrupt or might occasion--as the feeling roused by the teaching that immediately preceded made probable enough--some hostile attack, He enters a boat, probably with a few of His disciples, puts a few yards of water between Himself and the crowd, and then begins to speak.