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ἀρχισυνάγωγος (archisunagōgos)

archisunagōgos

synagogue leader

G0752 · Greek · New Testament · 9 verses

Quick Reference

Language
Koine Greek
Testament
New Testament
Occurrences
9 verses
Root
—

Word Overview

The noun archisynagōgos refers to a synagogue leader, an administrative officer responsible for overseeing worship and maintaining order within the local Jewish community. The term combines words meaning "first" or "ruler" with "synagogue," indicating a position of authority rather than spiritual priesthood. In the New Testament, these figures appear in nine verses, primarily in the Gospels of Mark and Luke, as well as in Acts.

Their duties included selecting readers and teachers, examining public discourses, and ensuring that services adhered to ancestral usage. This role is illustrated when Jairus, described as an archisynagōgos, approaches Jesus to heal his daughter (Mark 5:22). Later, a leader of this kind confronts Jesus for healing on the Sabbath, arguing that work should be done on other days (Luke 13:14). In Acts, Sergius Paulus, a prominent official, listens to Paul’s teaching after being invited by synagogue leaders in Cyprus (Acts 13:15).

These individuals were not priests but lay administrators who managed the practical and liturgical aspects of synagogue life. Their interactions with Jesus reveal their concern for proper conduct and tradition, even as they encountered his radical authority. The term highlights the structured nature of early Jewish worship outside the Temple.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word archisynagōgos describes a lay leader responsible for the practical order of synagogue worship, not a spiritual priest. In Mark 5:22, Jairus approaches Jesus with urgent need, showing that even those in positions of community authority recognized their limitations and sought divine help. This interaction reminds us that status does not replace humility; it often brings greater responsibility to seek God’s guidance.

These leaders managed the rhythm of Jewish life outside the Temple, ensuring services honored tradition while remaining open to new encounters with Jesus. Their stories reveal a tension between established order and radical grace. When Jairus hears his daughter is dead, he must choose between fear and faith, illustrating that true leadership involves trusting God beyond what we can control.

Understanding this role helps us see how ordinary people in structured communities responded to Christ’s authority. Whether they opposed or followed Him, their lives intersected with the Gospel in meaningful ways. We are invited to reflect on our own positions of responsibility and how we might serve others with both integrity and openness to God’s work.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 9 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • ruler of the synagogue2×
  • synagogue rulers,1×
  • synagogue ruler1×
  • rulers of the synagogue1×
  • ruler of the synagogue;1×
  • ruler of the synagogue.1×
  • ruler of the synagogue,1×
  • ruler of synagogue’s [house]1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • ἀρχισυναγώγου2×
  • ἀρχισυνάγωγος,1×
  • ἀρχισυνάγωγος1×
  • ἀρχισυνάγωγον1×
  • ἀρχισυνάγωγοι1×
  • ἀρχισυναγώγῳ·1×
  • ἀρχισυναγώγων,1×
  • ἀρχισυναγώγου.1×

Key Verses

  • Mark 5:22
    Behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, came; and seeing him, he fell at his feet

    Jairus falls at Jesus’ feet, demonstrating that even a respected community leader must approach Christ with humility in times of crisis.

  • Luke 13:14
    The ruler of the synagogue, being indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the multitude, “There are six days in which men ought to work. Therefore come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day!”

    The ruler’s indignation reveals how strict adherence to tradition can blind one to the compassion and authority present in Jesus’ actions.

  • Acts 18:8
    Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house. Many of the Corinthians, when they heard, believed and were baptized.

    Crispus’s belief shows that synagogue leadership could become a pathway to personal faith and transformation within the early church.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does archisynagōgos mean in the New Testament?

It refers to a synagogue leader who managed worship services and community order. This person was not a priest but an administrative officer responsible for selecting readers and maintaining tradition. The term appears nine times, primarily in the Gospels and Acts.

How is archisynagōgos different from a priest?

Unlike priests who served in the Temple, these leaders operated in local synagogues and focused on practical matters like reading Scripture and keeping order. They held authority within the Jewish community but did not perform sacrificial rites or hold spiritual priesthood.

Who are some examples of archisynagōgos in the Bible?

Jairus asked Jesus to heal his daughter (Mark 5:22). A ruler opposed Jesus for healing on the Sabbath (Luke 13:14). Crispus believed in Christ after hearing Paul’s teaching (Acts 18:8). These individuals show varied responses to Jesus’ authority.

Every Occurrence (9 verses across 3 books)

Mark 4 verses
Mark 5:22

Behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, came; and seeing him, he fell at his feet

Mark 5:35

While he was still speaking, people came from the synagogue ruler’s house, saying, “Your daughter is dead. Why bother…

Mark 5:36

But Jesus, when he heard the message spoken, immediately said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Don’t be afraid, only…

Mark 5:38

He came to the synagogue ruler’s house, and he saw an uproar, weeping, and great wailing.

Luke 2 verses
Acts 3 verses