Mark 5:38

38 They entered the leader's house and pushed their way through the gossips looking for a story and neighbors bringing in casseroles.

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 Jesus overheard what they were talking about and said to the leader, "Don't listen to them; just trust me."
37 He permitted no one to go in with him except Peter, James, and John.
38 They entered the leader's house and pushed their way through the gossips looking for a story and neighbors bringing in casseroles.
39 Jesus was abrupt: "Why all this busybody grief and gossip? This child isn't dead; she's sleeping."
40 Provoked to sarcasm, they told him he didn't know what he was talking about.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.