Lexical Summary archisunagógos: Ruler of the synagogue, synagogue leader Original Word: ἀρχισυνάγωγος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance chief ruler of the synagogue. From arche and sunagoge; director of the synagogue services -- (chief) ruler of the synagogue. see GREEK arche see GREEK sunagoge HELPS Word-studies 752 arxisynágōgos (from arxi, "first" and 4684 /spataláō, "synagogue") – properly, the chief elder (overseer) presiding over a local synagogue; a "ruler of a synagogue, an administrative officer, supervising the worship" (Abbott-Smith), i.e. the president ("chief") amongst other elders-overseers serving in a particular synagogue. [Note the parallel with local church government in the NT. Like the ancient Jewish synagogue, a local NT church needs to be shepherded by a team ("plurality") of elders. See 4245 /presbyteros ("elder").] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom archó and sunagógé Definition ruler of a synagogue NASB Translation leader of the synagogue (2), synagogue official (5), synagogue officials (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 752: ἀρχισυνάγωγοςἀρχισυνάγωγος, ἀρχισυναγώγου, ὁ (συναγωγή), ruler of a synagogue, הַכְּנֶסֶת רֹאשׁ: Mark 5:22, 35f, 38; Luke 8:49; Luke 13:14; Acts 13:15; Acts 18:8, 17. It was his duty to select the readers or teachers in the synagogue, to examine the discourses of the public speakers, and to see that all things were done with decency and in accordance with ancestral usage; (cf. Alex.'s Kitto under the word Synagogue). (Not found in secular writings; (yet Schürer (Theol. Literatur-Zeit., 1878, p. 5) refers to Corp. Inscriptions Grace. no 2007 f. (Addenda ii., p. 994), no. 2221{c} (ii., p. 1031), nos. 9894, 9906; Mommsen, Inscriptions Regni Neap. no. 3657; Garrucci, Cimitero degli antichi Ebrei, p. 67; Lampridius, Vita Alexandr. Sever c. 28; Vopiscus, Vit. Saturnin c. 8; Codex Theodos. 16:8, 4, 13, 14; also Acta Pilat. in Tdf.s Ev. Apocr. edition 2, pp. 221, 270, 275, 284; Justin Martyr, dialog contra Trypho, c. 137; Epiphanius haer. 30, 18; Eusebius, h. e. 7, 10, 4; see fully in his Gemeindeverfassung der Juden in Rom in d. Kaiserzeit nach d. Inschrften dargestellt (Leips. 1879), p. 25f).) Strong’s Greek 752 designates the archisynagōgos, the “synagogue ruler.” In first-century Judaism this person (often more than one per congregation, Acts 13:15) exercised overall responsibility for the local synagogue: supervising Scripture readings, arranging teachers, maintaining order, administering discipline, caring for the building and finances, and representing the assembly before civic authorities. The office blended administrative oversight with spiritual guardianship, anticipating many features later seen in Christian elder-ship. Old Testament Roots and Synagogue Development While synagogues do not appear by name in the Hebrew Scriptures, their structures drew on earlier patterns: elders at the city gate (Deuteronomy 21:19), Levitical instruction (2 Chronicles 17:7-9), and appointed overseers (2 Kings 12:11). After the Exile, communal gatherings for reading the Law (Nehemiah 8) crystallized into the synagogue system that flourished by the time of Jesus. The archisynagōgos thus inherited a venerable tradition of guiding God’s people in the Word and in worship. Occurrences in the New Testament Nine uses spotlight the role in varied settings: • Mark 5:22, 35-38; Luke 8:49 – Jairus, a synagogue ruler of Capernaum, implores Jesus to heal his dying daughter, demonstrating faith amid crisis. Portraits of Response to Jesus and the Apostles 1. Receptive Faith – Jairus and Crispus model leaders who recognize Jesus’ authority, laying aside status to seek mercy (Mark 5:22; Acts 18:8). Historical Significance for Early Christian Mission Synagogue rulers controlled who addressed the assembly; their invitations (Acts 13:15) provided Paul strategic access to proclaim Christ city after city. Conversely, when rulers opposed the message, they often stirred organized resistance (Acts 18:12-17). Thus the archisynagōgos stood at a pivotal junction where Jewish tradition met emerging Christian proclamation. Ministry Lessons for Today • Stewardship of Worship – Like the synagogue ruler, church leaders ensure orderly, Scripture-centered gatherings (1 Corinthians 14:40). Christological and Ecclesiological Implications The archisynagōgos typifies leadership under the Law, while Jesus embodies the ultimate Shepherd who fulfills the Law and welcomes all who believe. As synagogue rulers believed, they transitioned naturally into the New Covenant model of elder-oversight, showing continuity between Israel’s congregational life and the church’s pastoral ministry. Contemporary Application Modern congregations, whether of Jewish or Gentile origin, still need spiritually mature stewards who: Strong’s 752 therefore challenges every era’s leaders to shepherd God’s people with integrity, hospitality to the Gospel, and unwavering allegiance to the Lord of the synagogue, Jesus Christ. Englishman's Concordance Mark 5:22 N-GMPGRK: εἷς τῶν ἀρχισυναγώγων ὀνόματι Ἰάϊρος NAS: One of the synagogue officials named KJV: one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus INT: one of the rulers of synagogue by name Jarius Mark 5:35 N-GMS Mark 5:36 N-DMS Mark 5:38 N-GMS Luke 8:49 N-GMS Luke 13:14 N-NMS Acts 13:15 N-NMP Acts 18:8 N-NMS Acts 18:17 N-AMS Strong's Greek 752 |
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