Exegesis:

ēkolouthei (cf. 1.18) ‘it was following’: here simply in a physical sense, and not as disciples.

ochlos polus (cf. v. 21) ‘a large crowd.’

sunethlibon (5.31; cf. thlibō 3.9) ‘pressed upon,’ ‘crowded about.’

Translation:

Note the importance of a paragraph break in the middle of this verse (cf. Revised Standard Version).

Followed is better translated in some languages as ‘went along with him,’ for ‘followed’ might give the idea of stringing out behind him.

Thronged may be translated as ‘kept pushing around him’ or ‘pushed in against him.’

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of Mark. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1961. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .