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 8:41KJV
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Luke 8:41 (KJV)

What does Luke 8:41 mean?

Luke 8:41 describes a man named Jairus, who was a leader in the local synagogue, coming to Jesus, falling at His feet, and urgently asking Jesus to come to his house. The verse highlights Jairus’s desperation and respect as he seeks help from Jesus for a serious need in his family.

In this scene, Luke is narrating how Jairus, an important religious figure, approaches Jesus publicly and humbly. Jairus’s action of falling at Jesus’ feet shows both humility and a deep sense of urgency. This moment sets up the story that follows, where Jairus’s faith and Jesus’s response become central to the narrative.

The Greek behind Luke 8:41

  • Ἰάειρος (Iairos, "Jairus"): This is a personal name, and Luke points out that Jairus is a synagogue ruler, which means he was a respected leader in the Jewish community.
  • ἔπεσεν (epesen, "fell down"): The Greek word here means to physically fall or collapse at someone’s feet. This action was a strong sign of respect, humility, and desperation, especially for someone of Jairus’s standing.
  • παρεκάλει (parekalei, "besought"): This word is often understood as pleading or earnestly begging. It shows that Jairus was not making a casual request but was deeply urgent and sincere in asking Jesus for help.

Why Luke 8:41 matters

  • The verse shows that even respected religious leaders, like Jairus, recognized their need and were willing to seek help from Jesus, breaking social expectations.
  • Jairus’s humble approach—falling at Jesus’s feet—emphasizes the seriousness of his situation and his belief that Jesus could help.
  • This moment introduces a key story in Luke’s Gospel about faith, need, and Jesus’s willingness to respond to those who come to Him, regardless of their social status.

Where else these words appear

“Jairus” Greek G2383 · used in 2 verses

  • Mark 5:22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,

“ruler” Greek G758 · used in 36 verses

  • Matthew 9:18 While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.
  • Luke 23:35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.
  • Acts 4:26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.

“was” Greek G5225 · used in 47 verses

  • Luke 7:25 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.
  • Acts 14:8 And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:
  • Acts 28:18 Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.

“synagogue” Greek G4864 · used in 57 verses

  • Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
  • Luke 4:16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
  • Acts 13:14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.