Mark 5:38

And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.

And {G2532} he cometh {G2064} to {G1519} the house {G3624} of the ruler of the synagogue {G752}, and {G2532} seeth {G2334} the tumult {G2351}, and them that wept {G2799} and {G2532} wailed {G214} greatly {G4183}.

When they came to the synagogue official's house, he found a great commotion, with people weeping and wailing loudly.

When they arrived at the house of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw the commotion and the people weeping and wailing loudly.

And they come to the house of the ruler of the synagogue; and he beholdeth a tumult, and many weeping and wailing greatly.

Mark 5:38 describes Jesus' arrival at the home of Jairus, a synagogue ruler, where a scene of intense grief and commotion awaited Him. This verse vividly portrays the immediate human reaction to death, setting the stage for one of Jesus' most remarkable miracles.

Context

This verse is part of the narrative where Jairus, a prominent leader in the local synagogue, desperately seeks Jesus' help for his dying daughter. On their way, Jesus is delayed by a woman seeking healing (Mark 5:25-34). During this delay, news arrives that the girl has died (Mark 5:35). Upon reaching the house, Jesus encounters the "tumult," referring to the loud, chaotic lamentations typical of ancient Jewish mourning customs. The "wept and wailed greatly" refers to both family members and often professional mourners who were hired to express overwhelming sorrow, intensifying the atmosphere of despair and finality.

Key Themes

  • Human Grief and Despair: The scene powerfully illustrates the profound sorrow and sense of loss that accompanies death, a universal human experience.
  • Cultural Mourning Practices: It highlights the ancient Jewish tradition of loud public lamentation, often involving professional mourners, to signify death and sorrow.
  • Jesus' Encounter with Death: This verse marks Jesus' direct confrontation with the ultimate consequence of sin—death—and the human response to it, before He demonstrates His divine authority.
  • Setting the Stage for Miracle: The overwhelming evidence of death and despair serves to magnify the miracle that is about to unfold, emphasizing that Jesus' power is above even the most final of human circumstances.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "tumult" is thorubos, meaning an uproar, disturbance, or noisy crowd, perfectly capturing the chaotic scene. "Wailed greatly" comes from the Greek alalazō, which implies a loud, mournful cry or lament, often associated with a ritualistic expression of grief, underscoring the intensity of the sorrow.

Practical Application

Mark 5:38 reminds us that Jesus does not shy away from scenes of human suffering and despair. He enters into our pain, even when it seems overwhelming and final. Just as He approached this scene of profound grief, He comes to us in our moments of deepest sorrow, offering not just sympathy but also the promise of transformation and life. This narrative encourages believers to bring their seemingly impossible situations to Jesus, trusting in His power that transcends all earthly limitations, even death itself, as He later declares, "I am the resurrection, and the life."

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Luke 8:52

    And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.

  • Luke 8:53

    And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.

  • Matthew 9:23

    And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,

  • Matthew 9:24

    He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.

  • Mark 5:22

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

  • Matthew 11:17

    And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.

  • Acts 9:39

    Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back