The Life of Jesus in Harmony | Index

rulers of the synagogue

The leader or president of a Synagogue.

As an administrator, he was charged with supervision of all matters pertaining to the synagogue. He was not a dictator over the congregation. He was elected by the board of elders to oversee the worship services and the upkeep of the building. He chose the men to read the Scriptures, to offer prayer, and to preach or explain the Scripture for each meeting.

If discipline was called for, the ruler of the synagogue could reprimand or excommunicate a member (Jn 9:22; 16:2, or even order that a scourging or a whipping be carried out (Mt 10:17; Mark 13:9). Jairus was a ruler of the synagogue (Mk 5:22; Lk 8:41).