King James Version

What Does Luke 8:41 Mean?

Luke 8:41 in the King James Version says “And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and be... — study this verse from Luke chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house:

Luke 8:41 · KJV


Context

39

Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.

40

And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him.

41

And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house:

42

For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him.

43

And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years , which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house. The name Jairus (Iairos, Ἰάϊρος) derives from Hebrew Ya'ir (יָאִיר), meaning "he will enlighten" or "he gives light"—profoundly ironic given that this man would encounter the Light of the World in his darkest hour. As archisunagōgos (ἀρχισυνάγωγος, "ruler of the synagogue"), Jairus held significant religious authority, overseeing worship services, maintaining the building, and selecting teachers—including deciding whether itinerant rabbis could address the congregation.

His act of falling at Jesus' feet (pesōn para tous podas Iēsou, πεσὼν παρὰ τοὺς πόδας Ἰησοῦ) demonstrates desperate humility. For a synagogue ruler to publicly prostrate before Jesus—whose orthodoxy many religious leaders questioned—required setting aside pride, reputation, and position. The verb parekalei (παρεκάλει, "besought") uses imperfect tense, indicating persistent, urgent pleading. Jairus wasn't making a casual request but desperately begging Jesus to come.

His invitation "that he would come into his house" (eiselthein eis ton oikon autou, εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ) carries profound significance. Inviting Jesus home meant public association with a controversial figure, potentially jeopardizing Jairus' position. Yet paternal love overcame all other considerations. Desperate need drives us to Jesus regardless of cost—a pattern seen throughout the Gospels where crisis births authentic faith.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Synagogue rulers occupied positions of high respect in first-century Jewish communities. They weren't necessarily scholars or rabbis but administrative leaders responsible for synagogue operations, service order, and speaker selection. The position typically went to wealthy, influential community members. Jairus' status made his public plea before Jesus especially remarkable and costly.

By this point in Jesus' ministry, tensions with religious leadership were escalating. Pharisees and scribes accused Jesus of blasphemy (Luke 5:21), associating with sinners (Luke 5:30), and violating Sabbath traditions (Luke 6:2, 7). For a synagogue ruler to publicly seek Jesus' help risked professional censure and social alienation. Jairus' willingness to humble himself demonstrates how parental love for a dying child transcends all other concerns.

The synagogue system represented the center of Jewish community life in towns lacking temple access. Rulers wielded considerable influence over religious education, community gatherings, and social standing. Jairus' desperate faith would soon be tested further when news arrived that his daughter had died (v. 49), requiring him to trust Jesus beyond what seemed possible.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Jairus' willingness to risk his reputation and position reveal about the nature of desperate, authentic faith?
  2. How does pride or concern about others' opinions prevent us from coming to Jesus in our moments of greatest need?
  3. What does this synagogue ruler's humble approach to Jesus teach about the relationship between religious position and genuine faith?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 27 words
καὶ1 of 27

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἰδού,2 of 27

behold

G2400

used as imperative lo!

ἦλθεν3 of 27

there came

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

ἀνὴρ4 of 27

a man

G435

a man (properly as an individual male)

5 of 27

named

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ὄνομα6 of 27
G3686

a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)

Ἰάειρος,7 of 27

Jairus

G2383

jairus (i.e., jair), an israelite

καὶ8 of 27

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

αὐτοῦ9 of 27

he

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἄρχων10 of 27

a ruler

G758

a first (in rank or power)

τῆς11 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

συναγωγῆς12 of 27

of the synagogue

G4864

an assemblage of persons; specially, a jewish "synagogue" (the meeting or the place); by analogy, a christian church

ὑπῆρχεν13 of 27

was

G5225

to begin under (quietly), i.e., come into existence (be present or at hand); expletively, to exist (as copula or subordinate to an adjective, particip

καὶ14 of 27

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

πεσὼν15 of 27

he fell down

G4098

to fall (literally or figuratively)

παρὰ16 of 27

at

G3844

properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj

τοὺς17 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πόδας18 of 27

feet

G4228

a "foot" (figuratively or literally)

τοῦ19 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰησοῦ20 of 27

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

παρεκάλει21 of 27

and besought

G3870

to call near, i.e., invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)

αὐτοῦ22 of 27

he

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

εἰσελθεῖν23 of 27

that he would come

G1525

to enter (literally or figuratively)

εἰς24 of 27

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὸν25 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

οἶκον26 of 27

house

G3624

a dwelling (more or less extensive, literal or figurative); by implication, a family (more or less related, literally or figuratively)

αὐτοῦ27 of 27

he

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 8:41 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 8:41 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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