Greek word · G752

ἀρχισυνάγωγος

archisynagōgos

synagogue leader

"Head of the synagogue": the leading officer of a local Jewish assembly. He arranged the gatherings, chose who would read Scripture and speak, and looked after the building. He was often a well-off benefactor. In some inscriptions it is also an honorary title.

Appears 9 times in 9 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated October 31, 2026

What it means

ἀρχισυνάγωγος, -ου, ὁ

(συναγωγή),

ruler of a synagogue, an administrative officer, supervising the worship (הַכְּנֵםֶת רֹאשׁ): Mark 5:22, 35-36 5:38 Luke 8:49 13:14, Acts 13:15 18:8, 17 (Inscr., see MM, see word; cf. also DB, ext., 101).†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Mark 5:35

Range of meaning: "Head of the synagogue": the leading officer of a local Jewish assembly. He arranged the gatherings, chose who would read Scripture and speak, and looked after the building. He was often a well-off benefactor. In some inscriptions it is also an honorary title.
Against the English: KJV's "ruler of the synagogue" can make him sound like a political or judicial figure. NIV and BSB have "synagogue leader" or similar, which is closer. BSB swaps in his name, "Jairus", for clarity, and so loses the reminder of his status.
How it drifted: In older English "ruler" could mean any person in charge. Today it suggests a monarch or someone with power to govern, which is more than the office involved.
Used elsewhere in the period: The Theodotus inscription from Jerusalem, dated before 70 AD, honours "Theodotus son of Vettenos, priest and archisynagōgos", who built a synagogue "for the reading of the Law and the teaching of the commandments". See also Acts 13:15 (leaders inviting Paul to speak), Acts 18:8, 17 (Crispus and Sosthenes in Corinth) and Luke 13:14. Diaspora inscriptions give the title to women, such as Rufina of Smyrna, and even to a child, which suggests that in some places it could be an honour for a patron.

From the study of Mark 5:22

Range of meaning: The 'head of the synagogue', meaning the leading official of a local Jewish assembly. His duties (from inscriptions, the New Testament and the Mishnah) were to organise the meetings, decide who would read Scripture and who would speak, keep order, and look after the building and its funds. In many places the title also carried honour and went with paying for the building. Sometimes it was given to benefactors as a mark of status, and occasionally to women and even children.
Against the English: KJV and ESV have 'ruler(s) of the synagogue'. BSB and NIV have 'synagogue leader(s)'. NASB has 'synagogue official'. NLT has 'a leader of the local synagogue'. 'Ruler' can suggest civil or political authority, which is too big. 'Official' or 'leader' fits better.
How it drifted: In 1611 'ruler' simply meant anyone in charge. Today it suggests a sovereign or governor, and that inflates the role.
Used elsewhere in the period: The Theodotus inscription from Jerusalem, before AD 70, honours 'Theodotus son of Vettenus, priest and archisynagōgos, son of an archisynagōgos, grandson of an archisynagōgos'. He built the synagogue 'for the reading of the Law and the teaching of the commandments' and a guest-house for pilgrims. The title appears elsewhere in the New Testament: Luke 13:14 (a synagogue head objects to a Sabbath healing), Acts 13:15 (plural, at Pisidian Antioch), and Acts 18:8, 17 (Crispus and Sosthenes in Corinth). The Mishnah's Hebrew equivalent, rosh ha-knesset, receives the Torah scroll from the attendant during the Day of Atonement reading (m. Yoma 7:1; compare m. Sotah 7:7–8). Many diaspora inscriptions use the title, including for women (Rufina of Smyrna; Sophia of Gortyn, 'archisynagōgissa').

From the study of Acts 18:17

Range of meaning: 'Head of the synagogue': the presiding official of a Jewish assembly. He oversaw the building, organised the Sabbath gathering, chose who would read Scripture and who would speak (compare Acts 13:15, where the 'synagogue rulers' invite Paul to speak), and often paid for the community or its building.
Against the English: KJV 'chief ruler of the synagogue', WEB 'ruler of the synagogue', BSB 'synagogue leader'. 'Ruler' can suggest a governing authority, and modern readers often picture a rabbi or pastor. The role was closer to president, convenor and patron than to preacher or legal scholar.
How it drifted: Modern synagogues are led by rabbis and churches by clergy, so readers tend to assume this official was a teacher-cleric. The rabbinic ordination model came later, and this office was mainly about presiding and patronage.
Used elsewhere in the period: The Theodotus inscription from Jerusalem (before AD 70) honours a priest and archisynagōgos who built a synagogue 'for the reading of the Law and the teaching of the commandments'. Inscriptions across the Greek world use the title. Some are honorary: women (Rufina of Smyrna) and even children are called archisynagōgos, which shows it could mark status and patronage. Mark 5:22 and Acts 13:15 show that a synagogue could have more than one.

Where it appears

Mark · 4

Mark 5:22 ἀρχισυναγώγων, synagogue rulers,

A synagogue leader named Jairus arrived, and seeing Jesus, he fell at His feet

Here: The official in charge of a local Jewish assembly. He arranged the gatherings, picked who would read and speak, and looked after the building. This was a respected local figure, often a well-off patron. He was not a priest and not necessarily a Pharisee.
Mark 5:35 ἀρχισυναγώγου ruler of synagogue’s [house]

While He was still speaking, messengers from the house of Jairus arrived and said, “Your daughter is dead; why bother the Teacher anymore?”

Here: Jairus's title (v. 22), used here instead of his name. It reminds the reader that a man of local standing is the one getting this news.
Mark 5:36 ἀρχισυναγώγῳ· ruler of the synagogue;

But Jesus overheard their conversation and said to Jairus, “Do not be afraid; just believe.”

Here: Jairus (named in 5:22). He was a respected local figure who ran synagogue gatherings, and he is now powerless before his daughter's death. Jesus speaks to him directly and leaves the messengers unanswered.
Mark 5:38 ἀρχισυναγώγου. ruler of the synagogue.

When they arrived at the house of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw the commotion and the people weeping and wailing loudly.

Here: Jairus (5:22). He was a respected layman who ran the local synagogue's gatherings, not a rabbi and not a civil ruler. His standing in the town helps explain why so many mourners have gathered.

Luke · 2

Luke 8:49 ἀρχισυναγώγου synagogue ruler

While He was still speaking, someone arrived from the house of the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he told Jairus. “Do not bother the Teacher anymore.”
Luke 13:14 ἀρχισυνάγωγος, ruler of the synagogue,

But the synagogue leader was indignant that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath. “There are six days for work,” he told the crowd. “So come and be healed on those days and not on the Sabbath.”

Here: The official who ran the synagogue's gatherings: he arranged the readings and chose speakers. He was often a respected local patron. He was not a priest, and Luke does not call him a Pharisee.

Acts · 3

Acts 13:15 ἀρχισυνάγωγοι rulers of the synagogue

After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue leaders sent word to them: “Brothers, if you have a word of encouragement for the people, please speak.”

Here: The officials who ran the gathering and decided who would read and who would speak. The plural shows this synagogue had more than one person holding the title.
Acts 18:8 ἀρχισυνάγωγος ruler of the synagogue

Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his whole household believed in the Lord. And many of the Corinthians who heard the message believed and were baptized.

Here: The officer who ran the synagogue's affairs: arranging the Sabbath service, choosing readers and speakers, looking after the building. Often a wealthy patron. His conversion was a highly public event.
Acts 18:17 ἀρχισυνάγωγον ruler of the synagogue

At this, the crowd seized Sosthenes the synagogue leader and beat him in front of the judgment seat. But none of this was of concern to Gallio.

Here: The official who presided over the synagogue community, arranged its services and was often a patron. Crispus held this role earlier (18:8), so Sosthenes may have succeeded him or shared the office.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.