Mark 5:38

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Mark 5:38 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And they come to the house of the ruler of the synagogue; and he beholdeth a tumult, and [many] weeping and wailing greatly.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And they come to the house of the ruler of the synagogue; and he beholdeth a tumult, and [many] weeping and wailing greatly.
Mark 5:38 — American Standard Version

Context — Mark 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
38And they come to the house of the ruler of the synagogue; and he beholdeth a tumult, and [many] weeping and wailing greatly.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, etc..] Along with him, and the three disciples above mentioned; and the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Arabic, and Persic versions read, “and they came”, the above persons: and seeing the tumult; the throng and crowd of people, of relations, friends, neighbours, and acquaintance, on this occasion, all in a hurry, and in one motion or another, expressing their concern by words and gestures. And them that wept and wailed bitterly; the mourning women, the same with the “preficae” of the Romans, who sung mournful songs, and made hideous noises, being hired for this purpose; as also those who played doleful tunes on musical instruments; (see Gill…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See the account of the raising of Jairus’ daughter, and the healing of the woman with an issue of blood, fully explained in the notes at Matthew 9:18-26. Mark 5:23 Lieth at the point of death - Is dying; in the last agonies. Mark 5:26 Had suffered many things - Had resorted to many things painful, by the direction of the physicians, in order to be healed. Mark 5:27 Came in the press behind - In the crowd that pressed upon him. This was done to avoid being noticed. It was an act of faith. She was full of confidence that Jesus was able to heal, but she trembled on account of her conscious unworthiness, thus illustrating the humility and confidence of a sinner coming to God for pardon and life.…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“5:38 The commotion and weeping and wailing confirmed the report of the messengers and dramatized the hopelessness of the situation. Such outbursts of grief were typical of funerals in Jesus’ day, where professional mourners were often hired (cp. Matt 9:23).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“and seeth: Jer 9:17-20; Mat 9:23, Mat 9:24, Mat 11:17; Luk 8:52, Luk 8:53; Act 9:39 Mark 5:39”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification