And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
All Commentaries on Matthew 13:2 Go To Matthew 13
Hilary of Poitiers
AD 368
There is a reason why the Lord was sitting in the boat and the crowds were standing outside like simple followers: he was about to speak in parables. Jesus was therefore indicating that those who were outside the church were at a distance from being able to grasp his words of truth. For the boat symbolizes the church, and those who lie barren and fruitless outside like grains of sand are unable to understand the word of life put forward and preached.
