New Testament · Gospel

Mark 5:22

Legion and the Little Girl

A synagogue leader named Jairus arrived, and seeing Jesus, he fell at His feet Mark 5:22 · Berean Standard Bible

What It Means

Mark 5:22, in plain English

A synagogue leader named Jairus comes to Jesus and falls at his feet. For a man in his position, this is a huge act of humility — but his daughter's life is on the line.

Why it's here

Jairus was an important community leader. Falling at the feet of a controversial teacher would have raised eyebrows. But when your child is dying, you'll do anything.

Who's speaking

Mark introduces Jairus as he approaches Jesus in desperation.

Where it sits in the story

Jairus drops his dignity and his title at Jesus' feet. When someone you love is in danger, nothing else matters — not pride, not reputation, not what people think.

A Closer Look

The scholar's commentary

Jairus (Iairos, meaning 'he enlightens'), a synagogue ruler (archisunagogos), falls at Jesus' feet — a remarkable act of humility for a religious official, demonstrating that desperation transcends social boundaries.

Language and setting

As a synagogue president, Jairus held significant communal authority. His public prostration before an itinerant teacher shows the extremity of his need and foreshadows the faith theme of the passage.

Voice

Mark introduces Jairus and describes his approach to Jesus.

Significance

A synagogue leader named Jairus breaks all social protocol by falling at Jesus' feet in public. His daughter's life matters more than his reputation.

In context

Mark 5:20–24

20So the man went away and began to proclaim throughout the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed.

21When Jesus had again crossed by boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around Him beside the sea.

22A synagogue leader named Jairus arrived, and seeing Jesus, he fell at His feet

23and pleaded with Him urgently, “My little daughter is near death. Please come and place Your hands on her, so that she will be healed and live.”

24So Jesus went with him, and a large crowd followed and pressed around Him.

Read all of Mark 5 — A man possessed by a thousand demons, a woman who has bled for twelve years, a father whose daughter has just died — all healed in a single chapter.

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