Though we might be tempted to consider him falling at Jesus’ feet to be an act of worship, the immediate context suggests that he was desperately pleading with Jesus (Mark 5:23). Immediately before Jairus does this, we are told that he saw Jesus,
which indicates that he identified or recognized him. This is at most recognition of Jesus’ authority (see Mark 3:11; Mark 5:6). Furthermore, Jairus does not correct those who later came from his house claiming that Jesus, the Teacher,
could not do anything about his daughter’s death (Mark 5:35). It is only after Jesus raises Jairus’s daughter from death that the synagogue ruler behaves in a way we might understand to be worship, overcome with amazement
(Mark 5:42; also Mark 1:28; Mark 2:12).
22 Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet