Mark 5:22 — Community Reflections

MARK 5:22 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

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

Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet — Jairus is the first synagogue official in Mark to seek Jesus' help rather than oppose him. The synagogue leaders have been uniformly suspicious or hostile; Jairus's approach is exactly the opposite — he falls at Jesus' feet in the posture of supplication and worship. The naming of Jairus (unlike the unnamed bleeding woman, the unnamed Gerasene man) is a mark of his social visibility: he is a known community figure, not a marginal person. His approach to Jesus is a public act that will cost him social credibility if Jesus fails.

Church Fathers on Mark 5:22

After the miracle of the demoniac, the Lord works another miracle, namely, in raising up the daughter of the ruler of the synagogue; the Evangelist, before narrating this miracle, says, 'And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto Him.'
Theophylact · 11th century

But we must understand, that what is added of the daughter of the ruler of the synagogue, took place when Jesus had again crossed the sea in a ship, though how long after does not appear; for if there were not an interval, there could be no time for the taking place of that which Matthew relates, concerning the feast at his own house; after which event, nothing follows immediately, except this concerning the daughter of the chief of the synagogue. For he has so put it…
Augustine · 4th century · de Con. Evan., 2, 28

Observe that the object of His question was that the woman should confess the truth of her long want of faith, of her sudden belief and healing, and so herself be confirmed in faith, and afford an example to others.
Bede · 8th century · in Marc., 2, 22

Read all 12 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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