From 2nd Passover Until 3rd--Section 40

Section 40
JESUS HEALS MULTITUDES BESIDE THE SEA OF GALILEE

MATT. 12:15-21
MARK 3:7-12 

This passage  tells of the increasing number of people who following after Jesus seeking healing.  Crowds were pressing, and he had his disciples have a boat ready so he could withdraw.  A pattern of withdrawing comes into fullness in Mark particularly:

Mark alone notes no less than eleven occasions on which Jesus retired from his work, in order to escape his enemies or to pray in solitude, for rest, or for private conference with his disciples. See Mar_1:12; Mar_3:7; Mar_6:31, Mar_6:46; Mar_7:24, Mar_7:31; Mar_9:2; Mar_10:1; Mar_14:34.-FG

He shall not strive, nor cry aloud; Neither shall any one hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, Till he send forth judgment unto victory. Matthew 12:19-20

"These two verses find their fulfillment in the events of this paragraph. Jesus did not strive nor quarrel with the Pharisees, but having victoriously put them to silence, he meekly and quietly withdrew from their presence, and the healing of the multitudes which followed him as aptly fulfilled the prediction about the reed and the flax, for these two words, symbolic of weakness (Isa.36:6) and patience-trying annoyance (Prov. 10:26), fitly represented the sick and lame and blind--sinners who, by affliction, had been made contrite and poor in spirit, remorseful and repentant, and who were brought to Jesus to be healed. If the hollow cylinder of the reed is bruised, its strength is gone, and it is no longer able to stand erect. Flax was then used where we now use cotton, as wicking for lamps. Imperfection in the fiber of it would cause it to smoke. A violent [218] man, irritated by the fumes of the smoking wick, would put it out, and cast it from him. But the Lord's servant would patiently fan it to flames. The statement that he would not break these bruised reeds, nor quench this smoking flax, was an emphatic declaration, by contrast, that he would heal their bruises and fan their dying energies and resolutions into a flame, until he sent forth judgment unto victory; i. e., until the gospel- the authoritative announcement of the divine purpose or will--shall be sent forth and advanced to its final triumph. Christ shall show patient mercy and forbearance until the gospel shall practically exclude the need of it, by triumphing over Jewish opposition and Gentile impiety so as to bring about universal righteousness." -FG


Section 41
 AFTER PRAYER JESUS SELECTS TWELVE APOSTLES
 (Near Capernaum.)

MATT. 10:2-4
MARK 3:13-19
LUKE 6:12-16

Documentation of the twelve Jesus called as his circle of apostles.  FG stresses that there is no precedence for Peter and his office being set apart as a perpetual "head" of the Church.