Mark 5 22

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,

Mark 5:22 nkjv

And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet

Mark 5:22 niv

Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet.

Mark 5:22 esv

Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet

Mark 5:22 nlt

Then a leader of the local synagogue, whose name was Jairus, arrived. When he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet,

Mark 5 verses

Mark 5 22 Meaning

Mark 5:22 introduces Jairus, a high-ranking synagogue official, who, upon seeing Jesus, immediately falls prostrate at His feet. This act signifies deep humility, desperate supplication, and an acknowledgment of Jesus' unique authority or power, setting the stage for his urgent request.

Mark 5 22 Context

Mark chapter 5 opens with Jesus demonstrating His unparalleled authority over powerful forces: calming a violent storm (Mk 4:35-41) and casting out a legion of demons into swine (Mk 5:1-20). These dramatic events immediately precede Jairus's approach, highlighting Jesus' supernatural capabilities. The Gerasene people's rejection of Jesus due to fear contrasts sharply with Jairus's desperate seeking. Jairus, a figure of high standing in the Jewish community, approaching Jesus in such a humble posture, underscores the severity of his plight and the widespread recognition of Jesus' growing reputation as a miracle-worker, even among the religious establishment. This episode, alongside the healing of the woman with the flow of blood, forms a "Markan Sandwich," where one narrative is interrupted by another before completion, emphasizing themes of faith and Jesus's power over life and death.

Mark 5 22 Word Analysis

• And behold (καὶ ἰδοὺ, kai idou): A common interjection in the Greek New Testament, used to draw immediate attention to what follows, indicating something significant, sudden, or striking is about to happen. It cues the reader to pay close attention.
• one of the rulers of the synagogue (εἷς τῶν ἀρχισυναγώγων, heis tōn archisynagōgōn):
  • "rulers" (ἀρχισυναγώγων, archisynagōgōn): This title signifies a leading figure in the local Jewish community. An archisynagōgos was not a priest (who were associated with the Temple), but a lay leader responsible for the administration of the synagogue, ensuring the correct conduct of services, choosing readers, and overseeing public worship. They were highly respected and often from the local elite. The plural form "rulers" suggests there could have been more than one archisynagōgos in a large synagogue, or it's a general reference to one of the leaders. For such a person to publicly approach Jesus underscores Jesus' notoriety and the extremity of Jairus's need.
• came (ἔρχεται, erchetai): Present tense, suggesting immediacy and vividness, bringing the scene to life. He approaches directly and without hesitation once he sees Jesus.
• Jairus by name (Ἰάιρος ὀνόματι, Iairos onomati): The specific naming gives this account historical grounding and personalizes the encounter. "Jairus" (Hebrew, יָאִיר, Ya'ir) means "he enlightens" or "whom God enlightens/arouses."
• and when he saw Him (καὶ ἰδὼν αὐτόν, kai idōn auton): His approach is triggered by the sight of Jesus. It implies recognition and possibly a desperate last hope after exhausting other options.
• he fell at His feet (προσπίπτει πρὸς τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ, prospiptei pros tous podas autou):
  • "fell" (προσπίπτει, prospiptei): A strong verb, not simply a casual kneeling. It denotes prostration, falling face down in submission, profound humility, desperation, or worship. This posture was typically reserved for kings, revered teachers, or God Himself, demonstrating an extraordinary act for a religious leader towards a Nazarene rabbi.
  • "at His feet": The specific phrase underscores the completeness of the submission and the depth of his plea. It is a posture of profound deference and complete surrender to another's authority or power. It highlights an act of profound desperation and humility before a recognized authority.

Mark 5 22 Bonus Section

• The willingness of a figure like Jairus to approach Jesus so publicly and humbly would have been scandalous for his peers. It implies a crisis so profound that it overrides the fear of social censure or loss of face among the religious authorities who were generally critical of Jesus.
• Jairus's action suggests that knowledge of Jesus' healing power had spread widely enough to reach even the established religious leadership, causing some to overcome their resistance or skepticism when faced with personal tragedy.
• The immediate depiction of Jairus's fall serves as a model of earnest and desperate seeking of Christ, showing that true humility is often a prerequisite for receiving God's intervention.

Mark 5 22 Commentary

Mark 5:22 marks the poignant introduction of Jairus, a figure of significant social and religious standing, dramatically overturning expected decorum. For a synagogue ruler to humble himself publicly before Jesus, a Galilean teacher often viewed with suspicion by the religious elite, speaks volumes. This was not a casual encounter but a desperate, visible act of prostration, abandoning all pretense and public image. His act of falling at Jesus' feet expresses abject humility, extreme desperation, and a recognition of Jesus' power—even if not yet full understanding of His divine nature. It sets up a powerful juxtaposition: Jesus, though seemingly without formal religious authority, draws reverence from those who wielded it. This verse lays the groundwork for a profound demonstration of Jesus' authority over death, interweaving it with the healing of a woman whose "faith" became an exemplar in Mark's narrative. The urgent, humbling appeal of a respected figure highlights that human need often transcends social barriers and personal biases when divine power is recognized as the only recourse.