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Mark 5:22
ESV Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet
NIV Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet.
NASB And one of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, *came, and upon seeing Him, *fell at His feet
CSB One of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet
NLT Then a leader of the local synagogue, whose name was Jairus, arrived. When he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet,
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,
NKJV And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet

What does Mark 5:22 mean?

This is likely in or near Capernaum, where Jesus is familiar with the synagogue (Mark 1:21–28). It's even possible that this leader was there when Jesus freed a man possessed by a demon.

The ruler of the synagogue, a word taken from the Greek root archisunagogos, does not always teach, but he is one of the supervisors who chooses the readers and teachers. It is his responsibility to make sure the teaching is accurate and in accordance with tradition. He very well may have been the one who allowed Jesus to teach in Mark 1:21–28.

Where the legion of demons prostrate themselves in recognition of Jesus' rank (Mark 5:6) and the woman with an issue of blood will fall in fear and homage, the synagogue leader falls at Jesus' feet in a more calculated but still sincere manner. From the Greek root word pipto, the man voluntarily lowers himself from a position of authority to one of submission, not necessarily because he believes Jesus to be higher than him, but because he believes Jesus can do something for him.

God often uses great need to get us past our prejudices and pride so that we will come to Him. The Pharisees from Galilee had joined with the Herodians to destroy Jesus (Mark 3:1–6) and the Pharisees from Jerusalem had condemned Jesus (Mark 3:22–30). This synagogue leader might have held the same attitude in the past—we don't know for sure—but right now he just wants his daughter to be healed.

Jairus is one of the few people named outside the disciples in Mark. His name means "one whom God enlightens."
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