Though he was not a professional scribe or rabbi, Jairus was very likely a lay leader in the local synagogue or worshipping community.1 Therefore he would have been an influential member of the larger Jewish community, which perhaps explains the large crowds arriving later to mourn the death of his daughter (Mark 5:38). Jairus was an important man.
22 Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet