When they arrived at the synagogue leader's house, he observed the commotion there (the confusion outside the house, people running back and forth) and those who were crying loudly and lamenting.
Those who were crying and lamenting were probably hired mourners. Rabbi Judah, who lived a century after Jesus, writes that even the poorest in Israel should hire at least two flute players and one mourner. The statement referred to a husband's responsibility at his wife's funeral, but we can assume that a similar custom existed when children died. Matthew's description explicitly mentions flute players, see Matt. 9:23. As a synagogue leader, Jairus was a well-known and highly respected person in the community. Since it was known that his daughter was dying, Mark 5:23, and the funeral was to take place quickly before sunset, it is likely that the mourners and flute players were already in place and ready to begin their lamentation as soon as the girl died.

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