THE FAITH OF A CANAANITE WOMAN
Key verse: 27
NIV
The Faith of a Canaanite Woman(A)
21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.(B) 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David,(C) have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”(D)
23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”
24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”(E)
25 The woman came and knelt before him.(F) “Lord, help me!” she said.
26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”
28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith!(G) Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway
ESV
The Faith of a Canaanite Woman
21 (A)And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, (B)a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, (C)“Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” 23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, (D)“Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” 24 He answered, (E)“I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and (F)knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 And he answered, “It is not right to take the children's bread and (G)throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat (H)the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, (I)great is your faith! (J)Be it done for you as you desire.” (K)And her daughter was (L)healed instantly.[a]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Matthew 15:28 Greek from that hour
Cross references
- Matthew 15:21 : For ver. 21-28, see Mark 7:24-30
- Matthew 15:22 : Gen. 10:15, 19; Judg. 1:30-33
- Matthew 15:22 : See ch. 9:27
- Matthew 15:23 : [ch. 14:15]
- Matthew 15:24 : Rom. 15:8; See ch. 10:5, 6
- Matthew 15:25 : See ch. 8:2
- Matthew 15:26 : ch. 7:6
- Matthew 15:27 : [Luke 16:21]
- Matthew 15:28 : See ch. 9:2
- Matthew 15:28 : [ch. 8:13]
- Matthew 15:28 : ch. 9:22; 17:18; [John 4:52, 53]
- Matthew 15:28 : [ch. 8:13]
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. The cry of a Canaanite woman (21-24)
When Jesus withdrew to Gentile territory, he did not intend to start a ministry there. He focused on the lost sheep of Israel, for he was their shepherd, the 'son of David', who fulfilled the hopes and expectation of the prophets. Later, he would send his disciples to all nations. But there was a woman who couldn't wait. She recognized him as the Messiah and came, begging his mercy. She came by faith with a broken, compassionate heart.
2. Even the dogs eat the crumbs (25-28)
This woman believed in Jesus and she loved her daughter. Jesus tried to ignore her but she persisted. She knelt before him and asked his help. When Jesus told her that he could not give the children's bread to dogs, she humbly accepted his words and begged for crumbs. Jesus was moved by her faith. He granted her request and blessed her. Jesus' blessings are not for the privileged, but for those who have faith and compassion.
Prayer: Lord, give me the persistent faith and deep love of this Gentile woman.
One Word: Jesus blesses persistent faith
