The portrayal of Jairus in this story may seem unusual to some readers. You might even find it a bit unexpected. However, there are specific reasons for presenting him this way, as I have done in previous stories.
In the past, the position of synagogue leader was not as secure as we might imagine today. Synagogue leaders were typically chosen from among the elders—often Pharisees who served on local councils—through annual elections. Some synagogues had only one leader, while others had several.
Notably, the synagogue in Capernaum was considered the largest in Galilee at that time. As the leader of such a prominent synagogue, Jairus would have had to be extremely mindful of political dynamics. Displeasing other elders could have abruptly ended his career.
Moreover, there were several incidents involving Jesus that led to negative perceptions among the Pharisees. One significant event was the healing of the paralytic. While the exact sequence of events is less clear compared to the healing of the demon-possessed man in the region of the Gadarenes, it is evident that these incidents fueled criticism of Jesus. Even though Jesus had the power to heal, His claim to have authority to forgive sins was, from the Pharisees’ perspective, tantamount to blasphemy.
Given this context, could Jairus—likely a Pharisee and a synagogue leader—have easily asked Jesus to heal his daughter? For someone of his standing, taking such a step could have risked his entire career overnight. This is why Jairus’s story unfolds as it does here.
Another factor is Jairus’s residence in Capernaum. After leaving Nazareth, Jesus settled in Capernaum, close to Peter’s mother-in-law’s house, suggesting that Jesus lived nearby. If Jairus’s daughter died of an illness or similar cause, Jairus could have approached Jesus at any time. The fact that he waited until the very end may reflect a choice shaped by his circumstances.
Additionally, in Matthew’s Gospel, Jairus says his daughter has already died (Matthew 9:18), whereas in Mark and Luke, he says she is dying (Mark 5:23, Luke 8:42). Because of this difference and the narrative structure of the Gospels, I chose to place Jairus’s statement from Mark and Luke before the incident with the woman suffering from the issue of blood (as in the original order), and the statement from Matthew after that event, to depict his inner transformation.
For these reasons, I have chosen to portray Jairus as I have. Of course, you don’t have to accept this interpretation; I’m not writing to persuade you. Personally, however, considering the historical context and the real-life situations of biblical characters makes reading the Bible more moving and meaningful for me. Perhaps Jairus’s story feels special because it reflects my own tendency to focus on appearances while overlooking what truly matters. Repentance, it seems, is a process that must continue until we reach heaven.
