Jairus Ἰάειρος
Synagogue leader whose daughter Jesus healed
Who is Jairus in the Bible?
Jairus was a synagogue leader in first-century Capernaum who sought Jesus' help when his twelve-year-old daughter was critically ill (Mark 5:22, Luke 8:41). Desperate and believing in Jesus' healing power, Jairus fell at his feet and begged him to come lay hands on his dying child. While Jesus was traveling to Jairus' home, the girl died, but Jesus encouraged him to maintain faith and proceeded anyway. Upon arriving at the house, Jesus took the girl's hand and commanded her to rise, miraculously restoring her to life (Mark 5:41-42, Luke 8:54-55). This account demonstrates both Jesus' power over death itself and his compassionate response to those who approach him with genuine faith.
Biography
Jairus was a synagogue leader mentioned in the Gospels of Mark and Luke. He approached Jesus desperately seeking help for his critically ill daughter, who was about twelve years old. In Mrk.5.22-23, Jairus fell at Jesus' feet and pleaded earnestly with him to come and lay hands on his daughter, believing that Jesus could heal her. While Jesus was on his way to Jairus' house, they received news that the girl had died. However, Jesus encouraged Jairus to have faith and continued to his home. There, Jesus took the girl by the hand and commanded her to get up, miraculously bringing her back to life (Mrk.5.41-42; Luk.8.54-55). This event demonstrated Jesus' power over death and his compassion for those in need.
In Scripture
2 biblical books ; 2 with study contentMark 1 verse
- Mark 5:22
"A synagogue leader named Jairus arrived, and seeing Jesus, he fell at His feet"
Study Mark →
Luke 1 verse
- Luke 8:41
"Just then a synagogue leader named Jairus came and fell at Jesus’ feet. He begged Him to come to his house,"
Study Luke →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Greek | Ἰάειρος | Iáeiros | Jairus (i.e. Jair), an Israelite |
Jairus (2)
sRef="Bible:Mark.5.22-Mark.5.43">Mr 5:22-43; Lu 8:41-56). The accounts of the miracle are substantially the same, but vary in detail. According to Mark and Luke the arrival of Jairus in Capernaum fell immediately after the return of Jesus from Gadara, but according to Matthew the sequence of events was that Jesus had returned to Capernaum, had called Matthew, had joined the feast of the publicans, and had just finished His discourse on fasting when Jairus came to Him. Matthew and Mark both testify to the great faith of Jairus, who besought of Jesus that He should but lay His hand upon the maid and she should live. According to Matthew she was already dead when Jairus came to Capernaum; according to the others she was on the point of death; but all agree as to her death before the arrival of Jesus and His followers at her abode. Matthew implies that Jesus alone was present at the actual raising; Mark and Luke state that Peter, James, John and the parents were also there. The healing of the woman with the issue of blood by Jesus on the way is given by all.
C. M. Kerr
ja'-kan (ya`aqan).
See JAAKAN.
ja'-ke (yaqeh, perhaps from Arabic root meaning "carefully religious"; yaqe', as if from qi'): The father of