Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Mark 3:7

"And Jesus with his disciples withdrew to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed; and from Judaea," — Mark 3:7 (ASV)

Jesus withdrew, probably because he knew the authorities were out to get him (cf. Matthew 12:15). Since the time had not yet come for a serious confrontation, he went to the Lake of Genessaret. This withdrawal, however, did not separate him from the crowds.