Mark 5:22

KJV

And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532}, behold {G2400}, there cometh {G2064} one {G1520} of the rulers of the synagogue {G752}, Jairus {G2383} by name {G3686}; and {G2532} when he saw {G1492} him {G846}, he fell {G4098} at {G4314} his {G846} feet {G4228},

Complete Jewish Bible

There came to him a synagogue official, Ya'ir by name, who fell at his feet

Berean Standard Bible

A synagogue leader named Jairus arrived, and seeing Jesus, he fell at His feet

American Standard Version

And there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jaïrus by name; and seeing him, he falleth at his feet,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 5:22 introduces Jairus, a prominent ruler of the synagogue, who approaches Jesus in an act of profound humility and desperation. His public prostration before Jesus, a traveling teacher, underscores the depth of his need and his burgeoning faith in Jesus's extraordinary power, setting the stage for one of Jesus's most poignant miracles of healing and resurrection.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Mark 5:22 immediately follows Jesus's return to the western side of the Sea of Galilee, where a large crowd eagerly awaited Him (as noted in [Mark 5:21](/mark/5-21 "Mark 5:21 - Jesus Returns to Galilee")). This verse marks a significant shift from the preceding narrative, which detailed Jesus's dramatic encounter with the Gerasene demoniac on the eastern shore ([Mark 5:1-20](/mark/5-1-20 "Mark 5:1-20 - The Gerasene Demoniac")). The transition highlights Jesus's continuous ministry of teaching, healing, and confronting spiritual darkness, demonstrating His authority over both physical ailments and demonic forces. Jairus's desperate plea interrupts the flow of the crowd's interaction with Jesus, emphasizing the urgency and personal nature of his request, and foreshadowing the subsequent, equally urgent, healing of the woman with a hemorrhage ([Mark 5:25-34](/mark/5-25-34 "Mark 5:25-34 - The Woman with a Hemorrhage")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "ruler of the synagogue" (Greek: _archisynágōgos_) was a highly respected and influential position within the Jewish community. This individual was responsible for the administration of the synagogue, the selection of readers and speakers, and the general oversight of worship services. For a man of Jairus's standing to publicly "fall at [Jesus's] feet" was an extraordinary act of humility and desperation. In ancient Near Eastern culture, prostration before another person signified profound reverence, submission, or urgent supplication, typically reserved for kings, deities, or those recognized as possessing immense authority. This action would have been shocking to onlookers, as it implied Jairus's recognition of Jesus's authority as superior to his own established religious position, risking his reputation and social standing for the sake of his dying daughter.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 5:22 contributes to several key themes prevalent throughout Mark's Gospel. It powerfully illustrates the theme of **faith in the face of desperation**, as Jairus, despite his high status, humbles himself completely before Jesus. This act underscores Jesus's **accessibility to all**, regardless of social standing or religious background, and His **compassion** for those in dire need. Furthermore, Jairus's recognition of Jesus's power implicitly highlights Jesus's **divine authority** over sickness and death, a theme that will be dramatically confirmed in the subsequent narrative of his daughter's resurrection ([Mark 5:35-43](/mark/5-35-43 "Mark 5:35-43 - The Raising of Jairus's Daughter")). The scene also subtly introduces the **cost of discipleship** or following Jesus, as Jairus's public plea demonstrates a willingness to set aside societal expectations for the sake of a greater good.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **archisynágōgos (Greek, _archisynágōgos'_):** This term (G752) refers to the "director of the synagogue services" or "chief ruler of the synagogue." It signifies a position of considerable authority and respect within the local Jewish community. Jairus's holding of this office underscores his social standing and the radical nature of his public appeal to Jesus, a traveling rabbi, for help.
* **idoú (Greek, _idoú'_):** Translated as "behold" (G2400), this is an imperative particle used to draw attention to something significant or surprising. Its inclusion here serves to emphasize the dramatic and unexpected arrival of a person of Jairus's stature, highlighting the immediate importance of the event unfolding. It signals to the reader that something noteworthy is about to occur.
* **píptō (Greek, _píptō'_):** Meaning "to fall" (G4098), this verb describes Jairus's action of prostrating himself at Jesus's feet. This posture is not merely a polite greeting but a profound act of submission, reverence, and desperate supplication. It conveys the depth of his humility and the urgency of his plea, acknowledging Jesus's superior authority and power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name;":** This opening clause immediately introduces a significant character. The "behold" (idoú) signals a dramatic entrance, drawing the reader's attention to the arrival of a prominent figure. Jairus, identified by name, is explicitly stated to be "one of the rulers of the synagogue," establishing his high social and religious standing within the community. This detail is crucial for understanding the profound nature of his subsequent actions.
* **"and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,":** This clause describes Jairus's immediate and striking response upon encountering Jesus. The act of "falling at his feet" (píptō at his poús) is a powerful gesture of humility, desperation, and profound reverence. It signifies complete submission and an earnest plea, indicating that Jairus recognized Jesus as someone possessing extraordinary authority and power, capable of intervening in his dire situation. This physical act speaks volumes about the depth of his need and his nascent faith.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to enhance its impact. **Dramatic Irony** is present, as a respected religious leader, who might typically be expected to uphold traditional Jewish authority, instead humbles himself before Jesus, whom many religious leaders opposed. This highlights the transformative power of desperation and faith. **Symbolism** is powerfully conveyed through Jairus's act of "falling at his feet." This posture is a universal symbol of profound reverence, worship, and desperate supplication, signifying complete submission and acknowledgment of superior authority. It symbolizes the breaking down of social barriers in the face of overwhelming need and the willingness to humble oneself for a greater purpose. The phrase "behold" (idoú) functions as an **Exclamatory Device**, drawing the reader's immediate attention to the unexpected and significant arrival of Jairus, thereby heightening the narrative's tension and importance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 5:22 powerfully illustrates the theological principle that God responds to humble, desperate faith. Jairus, a man of significant social and religious standing, sets aside all pride and societal expectations to prostrate himself before Jesus. This act of profound humility, driven by a father's love and desperate need, demonstrates a recognition of Jesus's unique authority and power over life and death. It underscores that true access to divine intervention often requires a posture of complete dependence and surrender, irrespective of one's earthly status or accomplishments. This narrative serves as a timeless reminder that Jesus is accessible to all who approach Him with genuine faith and humility, regardless of their background or the magnitude of their need.

* [Matthew 8:2](/matthew/8-2 "Matthew 8:2 - The Leper's Humble Plea")
* [Luke 17:16](/luke/17-16 "Luke 17:16 - The Samaritan Leper's Gratitude")
* [Revelation 1:17](/revelation/1-17 "Revelation 1:17 - John Falls at Christ's Feet")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jairus's example in Mark 5:22 offers profound lessons for believers today. His willingness to humble himself publicly, laying aside his esteemed position to fall at Jesus's feet, serves as a powerful model for how we should approach God with our deepest needs. In a world that often values self-sufficiency and status, Jairus reminds us that true help and healing come from recognizing our complete dependence on Christ. When faced with overwhelming challenges—whether personal crises, family struggles, or spiritual battles—our first and most effective response should be to humble ourselves before the Lord, bringing our burdens to Him in desperate prayer and faith. His example encourages us to trust in Jesus's accessibility and compassion, knowing that He is always willing to meet us in our brokenness and respond to our heartfelt pleas, just as He did for Jairus. This posture of humility and desperate faith opens the door for God's miraculous intervention in our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What personal "status" or pride might prevent me from fully humbling myself before Jesus with my current needs?**
* **How does Jairus's public act of falling at Jesus's feet challenge my own willingness to openly express my dependence on God?**
* **In what areas of my life am I most desperate for Jesus's intervention, and how am I demonstrating that desperation through my faith and actions?**
* **What does Jairus's example teach me about the accessibility of Jesus, even for those in positions of authority or influence?**

### FAQ
**Who was Jairus, and why was his action of falling at Jesus's feet so significant?**

Answer: Jairus was "one of the rulers of the synagogue" (Greek: _archisynágōgos_), a highly respected and influential leader in the local Jewish community. His position meant he was responsible for the administration and spiritual oversight of the synagogue. His action of publicly falling at Jesus's feet was profoundly significant because it was an act of extreme humility and desperate supplication, typically reserved for acknowledging superior authority or divinity. For a man of his standing to prostrate himself before a traveling teacher like Jesus, risking his reputation and social standing, underscored the depth of his crisis (his daughter was dying) and his nascent faith in Jesus's extraordinary power to intervene. It was a public declaration of his desperate need and belief, transcending social norms.

**Does Mark 5:22 imply that Jesus was considered a divine figure by Jairus at this point?**

Answer: While Mark 5:22 doesn't explicitly state that Jairus fully understood Jesus's divinity at this moment, his act of falling at Jesus's feet certainly implies a recognition of Jesus's extraordinary authority and power, far beyond that of a typical rabbi or healer. In ancient culture, such a posture was often reserved for deities or those with divine favor. Jairus's desperate situation likely led him to acknowledge Jesus as someone uniquely capable of miraculous intervention, perhaps even as a prophet or a man of God with unparalleled power. His actions demonstrate a profound reverence and a desperate plea for divine-like intervention, foreshadowing the deeper understanding of Jesus's identity that would develop among His followers.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 5:22, with Jairus's desperate plea and humble prostration, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate accessibility and compassion of Christ for all who come to Him in faith. Jairus, a man of high standing, had to lay aside his earthly status to approach Jesus, mirroring the spiritual humility required to enter God's kingdom. This scene points to Jesus as the one true High Priest, not of a synagogue, but of a new covenant, who is "able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him" ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Priesthood")). Jairus's act of falling at Jesus's feet anticipates the universal posture of worship and submission that all will eventually adopt before the risen Christ, as "every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord" ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Christ's Exaltation")). The compassion Jesus shows to Jairus, leading to the raising of his daughter, is a tangible demonstration of His power over death, a power fully revealed in His own resurrection, which conquered death once and for all ([1 Corinthians 15:20-22](/1_corinthians/15-20-22 "1 Corinthians 15:20-22 - Christ as the Firstfruits")). Thus, Jairus's desperate act is a microcosm of humanity's need for a Savior, and Jesus's response is a testament to His redemptive mission to bring life where there is death, and hope where there is despair, for all who call upon His name ([Romans 10:13](/romans/10-13 "Romans 10:13 - Calling on the Name of the Lord")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 13:14

And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.

Mark 5:35

¶ While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's [house certain] which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?

Mark 5:36

As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

Acts 18:17

Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat [him] before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.

Acts 13:15

And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, [Ye] men [and] brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.

Acts 18:8

And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

Matthew 9:18

¶ While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.