Mark 5:38

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 5:38 vividly portrays Jesus' arrival at the home of Jairus, a synagogue ruler, where He is met with an overwhelming scene of chaos and profound grief. The verse captures the immediate human response to death, characterized by loud lamentations and a general uproar, setting a somber and desperate stage for the miraculous demonstration of Christ's authority over life and death.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a larger narrative in [Mark 5](/mark/5 "Mark Chapter 5 - Miracles of Jesus") that showcases Jesus' multifaceted power and compassion. Immediately preceding it, [Jairus, a synagogue official, pleads with Jesus](/mark/5-22-23 "Mark 5:22-23 - Jairus's Plea to Jesus") to heal his dying daughter. While on their way, Jesus is interrupted by a woman suffering from a chronic hemorrhage, whom He heals ([Mark 5:25-34](/mark/5-25-34 "Mark 5:25-34 - Healing the Woman with a Hemorrhage")). This delay is critical, as it allows for the arrival of messengers with the devastating news that Jairus's daughter has died ([Mark 5:35](/mark/5-35 "Mark 5:35 - News of the Daughter's Death")). Thus, Mark 5:38 marks Jesus' transition from a scene of healing to a direct confrontation with death, escalating the tension and setting the stage for an even greater display of divine power.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The scene described in Mark 5:38 reflects typical Jewish mourning customs of the first century. Upon a death, it was customary for family and friends to engage in loud, public lamentations, often tearing clothes and scattering ashes. Professional mourners, including flute players and women trained in wailing, were frequently hired to amplify the expression of grief and signify the severity of the loss. This practice, evident in other biblical accounts like [Matthew 9:23](/matthew/9-23 "Matthew 9:23 - Jesus and the Flute Players"), created an atmosphere of intense sorrow and commotion, ensuring that the entire community was aware of the tragedy. The "ruler of the synagogue" (archisynagogos) like Jairus was a respected and influential figure responsible for the administration and spiritual oversight of the local synagogue, making his personal tragedy a matter of public concern and his plea to Jesus a significant act of humility.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 5:38 contributes to several prominent themes within the Gospel of Mark. Firstly, it underscores **human grief and despair** in the face of death, a universal experience that Jesus fully enters into. Secondly, it highlights **Jesus' direct confrontation with death**, the ultimate consequence of sin, foreshadowing His victory over it. Thirdly, the overwhelming evidence of death and despair serves to **magnify the impending miracle**, emphasizing that Jesus' authority extends even to the most final of human circumstances, a theme powerfully articulated in His declaration, "[I am the resurrection and the life](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")" in the Gospel of John. Finally, it subtly introduces the theme of **faith in the midst of hopelessness**, as Jesus' instruction to Jairus in [Mark 5:36](/mark/5-36 "Mark 5:36 - Jesus' Encouragement to Jairus") to "only believe" immediately follows the news of his daughter's death, contrasting divine assurance with human despair.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **cometh (Greek, _érchomai'_):** This verb signifies a movement towards a specific point, indicating Jesus' deliberate and purposeful approach to the house of Jairus. Unlike a casual arrival, _érchomai_ suggests an intentional entry into a space of profound human suffering and despair, highlighting Jesus' willingness to engage directly with the brokenness of the world. It is a coming not merely to observe, but to act.
* **tumult (Greek, _thórybos'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to roar" or "to be agitated," _thórybos_ describes a disturbance, uproar, or noisy crowd. In this context, it vividly captures the chaotic and boisterous atmosphere typical of ancient mourning rituals. It conveys not just noise, but a sense of disarray and emotional intensity, reflecting the uncontrolled outpouring of grief that filled the house.
* **wailed (Greek, _alalázō'_):** This word, often associated with a loud, mournful cry or lament, implies a vociferous expression of grief. When combined with "greatly" (_polýs_), it emphasizes the extreme intensity and volume of the lamentation. Unlike a quiet sob, _alalázō_ suggests a public, almost ritualistic, outcry of sorrow, often performed by professional mourners, underscoring the depth of despair and the finality of death in the cultural context.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue":** This clause establishes Jesus' direct movement to the specific location of the tragedy. "The ruler of the synagogue" identifies Jairus, a man of significant local standing, whose personal sorrow has become a public spectacle, drawing Jesus into a prominent display of human suffering. Jesus' deliberate "coming" underscores His intentional engagement with the situation.
* **"and seeth the tumult":** Here, the narrative shifts to Jesus' perception. He "sees" (Greek, _theōréō_), implying a careful observation and discernment of the scene. The "tumult" refers to the loud, chaotic uproar characteristic of a house where a death has occurred, filled with the sounds of professional mourners and grieving family members. This immediate sensory input confirms the reality of the situation and the depth of the despair.
* **"and them that wept and wailed greatly":** This final clause specifies the nature of the "tumult," detailing the participants and the intensity of their grief. "Wept" (Greek, _klaíō_) denotes sobbing and crying aloud, while "wailed" (Greek, _alalázō_) suggests a more vociferous, perhaps ritualistic, lament. The addition of "greatly" (Greek, _polýs_) amplifies the description, emphasizing the overwhelming, unrestrained, and public expression of sorrow, confirming the finality of death in the eyes of those present.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 5:38 employs several literary devices to convey the gravity of the scene. The use of **Imagery** is prominent, as the verse paints a vivid picture of the "tumult" and the "wept and wailed greatly," allowing the reader to almost hear the cacophony of grief. This sensory detail immerses the audience in the emotional intensity of the moment. Furthermore, the phrase "wailed greatly" can be seen as a form of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the extreme and pervasive nature of the sorrow. While culturally accurate, the intensity of the language serves to underscore the profound despair before the miracle. Finally, the entire scene functions as **Foreshadowing**, setting a dramatic contrast between the overwhelming evidence of death and the life-giving power Jesus is about to demonstrate. The depth of the human despair serves to magnify the divine triumph that is about to unfold.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 5:38 serves as a poignant theological statement about the reality of human suffering and death, and Jesus' compassionate engagement with it. It reminds us that Jesus does not shy away from the raw, chaotic, and deeply painful aspects of human existence. He enters directly into the midst of overwhelming grief, demonstrating His solidarity with humanity in its most vulnerable moments. The scene underscores the pervasive nature of death as an enemy, but simultaneously sets the stage for Christ's ultimate authority over it, revealing that His power transcends even the finality of the grave. This encounter is not merely an observation of sorrow but a prelude to a divine intervention that reverses the natural order, pointing to Jesus as the source of life in the face of death.

* [John 11:33-35](/john/11-33-35 "Jesus Weeps at Lazarus's Tomb"): Jesus is deeply moved by the grief of Mary and Martha, demonstrating His empathy and compassion in the face of death.
* [Romans 8:22-23](/romans/8-22-23 "Groaning of Creation and Believers"): Creation and believers groan under the weight of suffering and decay, awaiting redemption, mirroring the "wailing" in Mark 5:38 as a universal experience of longing for restoration.
* [Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "No More Tears, Death, or Pain"): A future promise of God wiping away every tear, and there being no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain, providing ultimate hope beyond the present "weeping and wailing."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 5:38 provides a powerful invitation to bring our deepest sorrows and seemingly impossible situations directly to Jesus. The scene at Jairus's house, filled with professional mourners and overwhelming despair, represents the very worst of human experience—the finality of death. Yet, it is precisely into this chaotic and hopeless environment that Jesus steps. This reminds us that no situation is too dire, no grief too profound, and no loss too final for Christ to enter. He does not offer platitudes from a distance but enters into the raw messiness of our pain. For believers today, this verse encourages us to trust in Jesus' sovereignty even when circumstances scream despair. It challenges us to look beyond the "tumult" of our present difficulties and fix our gaze on the One who has ultimate authority over life and death, knowing that His presence transforms even the most desolate landscapes of our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' willingness to enter into a scene of such intense grief and chaos speak to His character and His relationship with human suffering?**
* **In what "tumults" or situations of overwhelming despair in your own life do you need to invite Jesus' presence and power?**
* **How does the cultural practice of "weeping and wailing greatly" in this verse help you understand the depth of human sorrow, and how does Jesus' response offer a different perspective?**

### FAQ
**Why were there professional mourners at Jairus's house, and what does their presence signify?**

Answer: Professional mourners, often women and musicians (like flute players mentioned in [Matthew 9:23](/matthew/9-23 "Jesus Raises Jairus's Daughter")), were a common feature of Jewish funerals in the first century. Their presence was not merely for emotional support but was a customary and expected part of mourning rituals, signifying the gravity of the death and the family's social standing. They would lead the lamentations, ensuring a loud and public display of grief. Their wailing and commotion, described as "tumult" in [Mark 5:38](/mark/5-38 "Jesus at Jairus's House"), created an atmosphere of profound sorrow and finality, underscoring the human perception that death was an irreversible end.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 5:38, with its depiction of overwhelming grief and the finality of death, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus' ultimate victory over death itself. The "tumult" and "wailing greatly" at Jairus's house vividly portray the universal human experience of sorrow in a fallen world, a world where death reigns as the "last enemy" ([1 Corinthians 15:26](/1_corinthians/15-26 "1 Corinthians 15:26 - The Last Enemy")). Jesus' deliberate entry into this scene of despair foreshadows His own journey to the cross and resurrection. He would not only raise Jairus's daughter, demonstrating His power over physical death, but would Himself conquer death through His own sacrificial death and glorious resurrection ([Romans 6:9](/romans/6-9 "Christ's Resurrection")). The wails of sorrow in Jairus's house echo the lamentations of humanity, which are ultimately silenced by the triumphant shout of the resurrected Christ, who declares, "[I am the resurrection and the life](/john/11-25 "Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")" and holds the keys of death and Hades ([Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Christ Holds the Keys of Death")). Thus, the scene in Mark 5:38 is not just a miracle story, but a powerful testament to the Lamb of God who enters into our deepest sorrow to bring eternal life and wipe away every tear ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "No More Tears")).

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 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.