Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Mark 7:27 - 7:27
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
27. ἔλεγεν. Mt. again substitutes εἶπεν, as in Mar 7:14.
Ἄφες πρῶτον χορτασθῆναι τὰ τέκνα. See on Mar 6:42 and cf. Mar 10:14. In Mar 15:36 we have the subj. after ἄφετε. “The children” are the Jews, but πρῶτον implies that the others will have their turn (Joh 10:16; Joh 12:32; Joh 17:20; Act 1:8; Act 13:47). This important πρῶτον is omitted in Mt. It mitigates the harsh refusal.
ἐστιν καλόν. The expression is freq. in Mk. Cf. Mar 9:5; Mar 9:42-43; Mar 9:45; Mar 9:47; Mar 14:21. Christ’s reply illustrates the principle that, where faith is strong, He seems to hold aloof, to bring the faith to perfection; whereas weak faith is encouraged (Mar 5:36, Mar 9:23).
τοῖς κυναρίοις. The diminutive is another mitigation. The Gentiles are not called “dogs” but “doggies,” not outside scavengers (Psa 59:7; Psa 59:15), but household companions (τὰ κυνίδια τῆς οἰκίας, Orig.). In late Greek, diminutives sometimes lose their force, e.g. ὠτάριον (Mar 14:47), ὠτίον (Mat 26:51); but the dimin. has point here. Contrast κύνες (Mat 7:6; Php 3:2; Rev 22:15). Vulg. spoils this by having canibus in Christ’s Saying and catelli in her reply.