Mark 5:38

38 And they came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue and saw a commotion, and [people] weeping and wailing loudly.

Mark 5:38 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 5:38

And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue,
&c.] 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 on Matthew 9:23).

Mark 5:38 In-Context

36 But Jesus, ignoring {what was said}, told the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not be afraid--only believe!"

37 And he did not allow anyone to follow along with him except Peter and James and John, the brother of James.

38 And they came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue and saw a commotion, and [people] weeping and wailing loudly.

39 And [when he] entered, he said to them, "Why are you agitated and weeping? The child is not dead, but is sleeping."

40 And they began laughing at him. But he sent [them] all out [and] took along the father and mother of the child, and those [who were] with him, and went in to where the child was.