Mark 5:38

38 When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, 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 overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, "Do not fear, only believe."

37 He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.

38 When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly.

39 When he had entered, he said to them, "Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping."

40 And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside, and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was.