What Does Mark 5:37 Mean in the King James?

And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.

Mark 5:37 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

Following here means close accompaniment, and Jesus limits who may accompany him into this moment to three.

THE MEANING

This verse places the reader before a boundary: Jesus permits only Peter, James, and John to accompany him. Nearness in this moment is chosen and specific, not shared with everyone around him.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The belief that being a follower means having equal access to every moment is undone here: Jesus chooses who accompanies him into this one.

THE ROOT

συνακολουθῆσαι

synakolouthēsai

GROWS FROM

ἀκολουθέω

akoloutheō

to follow or accompany; the compound adds the sense of following along together

The verb carries the sense of accompanying Jesus, not merely moving behind him. English follow can flatten that shared-company meaning, so the verse’s boundary is about who enters his immediate company.

ALSO GROWS

synakoloutheō: to accompany or follow along with

συνακολουθέω

This compound form makes the sense of going with someone explicit.

akolouthos: a follower or attendant

ἀκόλουθος

The related noun describes someone who accompanies another, reinforcing the close-company sense of follow.

ἀφῆκεν

aphēken

GROWS FROM

ἀφίημι

aphiēmi

to let go, leave, or permit

The verb translated suffered here means permitted, while its word-family also carries the sense of letting go and release. That range makes the boundary a deliberate act of allowing only these three to accompany him.

ALSO GROWS

aphiēmi: to let go, leave, or allow

ἀφίημι

This is the verb’s base form and shows the permission expressed in the verse.

aphesis: release, remission, or forgiveness

ἄφεσις

This related noun reveals the family’s wider sense of letting something go.

THE PATTERN

At decisive thresholds, nearness is given in defined circles.

And Moses alone shall come near the LORD: but they shall not come nigh; neither shall the people go up with him.

Exodus 24:2 · KJVNearness is explicitly limited to Moses while the others remain at a distance.

And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.

Mark 9:2 · KJVAt the transfiguration, Jesus again brings Peter, James, and John apart as the witnesses closest to the event.

And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;

Mark 14:33 · KJVIn the garden, the same three accompany Jesus into a moment of deep anguish.

THE THREAD

And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Mark 8:34 · KJV

The Greek word ⁨ἀκολουθέω⁩ (akoloutheō), meaning to follow or accompany, links this verse to Jesus’ call to follow him. Here only three accompany him into this moment; in Mark 8:34, following opens to whoever will come after him.

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