Luke 8:41
What does Luke 8:41 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 8:41 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 8:41 means
Luke 8:41 introduces Jairus, a synagogue ruler, who falls at Jesus’ feet and begs him to come to his house. Jairus’ position indicates he was a respected Jewish leader, and his humility—falling at Jesus’ feet—shows desperation and faith. His appeal for Jesus to come underscores the social breadth of those who sought Jesus: leaders as well as common people. The verse sets up the urgent need for healing in Jairus’ household and shows faith expressed in supplication, an example of how positions of authority can be subordinate to dependence on Christ.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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 to come into his house;
KJV
King James Version · 1611And, 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:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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 to come into his house;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler in the Synagogue: and he went down at the feet of Jesus, desiring him to come to his house;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and lo, there came a man, whose name <FI>is<Fi> Jairus, and he was a chief of the synagogue, and having fallen at the feet of Jesus, was calling on him to come to his house;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And behold there came a man whose name was Jairus: and he was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at the feet of Jesus, beseeching him that he would come into his house:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And behold, a man came, whose name was Jairus, and he was [a] ruler of the synagogue, and falling at the feet of Jesus besought him to come to his house,
Context
After the crowd’s welcome, this verse begins a crisis-centered plea for personal intervention. Jairus’ approach adds urgency and intimacy to the public ministry. His status as synagogue ruler adds tension—one of Israel’s leaders seeking help from Jesus—preparing a narrative where faith and timing become crucial amid the pressing crowd.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 13:14
And the ruler of the synagogue, being moved with indignation because Jesus had healed on the sabbath, answered and said to the multitude, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the day of the sabbath.
- Acts 13:15
And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.
- Matthew 9:18
While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.
- John 11:21
Martha therefore said unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
- Acts 18:17
And they all laid hold on Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment-seat. And Gallio cared for none of these things.
- Luke 8:49
While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Teacher.
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