The answer is: In a boat

Mark 4:1

When you picture an iconic teaching moment from Jesus, you might imagine a serene hillside with gathered crowds, but in Mark chapter 4, we find a twist. Jesus is not perched on some divine mount but is instead floating in a boat, with an open sea as His makeshift pulpit. This setting amplifies His teachings, creating natural acoustics that carried His voice to the multitude gathered on the shore.

This scenario isn't merely about logistics; it serves as a profound metaphor. Just as the seeds of the sower are cast across diverse soils, Jesus’s message reaches from the boat to hearts of all conditions—busy, distracted, stratched thin. The parable demonstrates how varied the reception of truth can be. Shockingly, some in the crowd turned away despite standing less than a stone's throw from this living emblem of wisdom.

It's noteworthy to consider that many of Jesus's parables involve the elements of nature: seeds, soil, and storms. Roots can run deep into the mythos of His teachings, echoing back to ancient wisdom woven throughout Jewish tradition and scripture. Additionally, the imagery of the sower was not unfamiliar; farmers in ancient times depended upon both the earth and chance. The heartbeat of beloved stories has often been their connection to ordinary life—reminding everybody that the divine drew close, even through the mundane. So who knew a humble boat could become a stage for profound spiritual lessons? It's all part of Jesus's unique flair!