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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mat_15:21-28
21Jesus went away from there, and withdrew into the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and began to cry out, saying, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed." 23But He did not answer a word. And His disciples came and implored Him, saying, "Send her away, because she keeps shouting at us." 24But He answered and said, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." 25But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, "Lord, help me!" 26And He answered and said, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." 27But she said, "Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters'table." 28Then Jesus said to her, "O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed at once.
Mat_15:21 "Tyre and Sidon" These were Phoenician coastal cities. In most of the OT they are associated with Ba'al worship and wickedness, however (1) Solomon did procure artisans and material for the Temple from Hiram, King of Tyre (cf. 1 Kings 7); and (2) Elijah helped a widow from this area (cf. Luk_4:25-26.)
Mat_15:22 "a Canaanite woman" This is the only use of this term in the NT, although a similar form is found in a name (Mat_10:4; Mar_3:18). In Mar_7:26 she was called a Syro-Phoenician woman, who in the modern world would be a woman from southern Lebanon. She was obviously non-Jewish. This account, like Mat_8:5-13, showed Jesus' care for Gentiles. The healings summarized in Mat_15:29-31 took place in a predominately Gentile area (cf. Mar_7:31).
▣ "began to cry out, saying" Obviously this was done loudly and repeatedly. This imperfect tense can mean (1) repeated action in past time or (2) the beginning of an act in past time.
▣ "Have mercy on me" The mercy and compassion of Jesus towards the poor, sick, and possessed had been told far and wide. Even a non-Jewish woman felt He would act on her behalf (cf. Mat_9:27; Mat_17:15).
This aorist active imperative is used in the sense of a prayer request, not a command.
▣ "Lord" This was either (1) a common use of "Sir" or (2) the theological use of "Master" and "Messiah" ; only context can tell. Because it is combined with a Messianic title here, the second option is best.
▣ "Son of David" This was a Messianic title from 2 Samuel 7. She knew something about the Jewish faith and hope. See note at Mat_9:27.
▣ "my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed" Demon possession was and is a reality that can even affect children (cf. Mat_17:14-18). There is so much we don't know about this area!
I have struggled in this area of demon possession. I believe and affirm the biblical worldview. However, it bothers me that (1) exorcism is not listed as one of the spiritual gifts; (2) it is never discussed in any of the NT letters; (3) I am not informed by an inspired author about how to perform this spiritual rite. I am left to affirm the reality, but not able to identify it or know how to address it or remove it! See special topics on the demonic at Mat_10:1.
Mat_15:23 "disciples came and implored Him" The verb is also Imperfect tense. The disciples show their level of compassion in contrast to Jesus (cf. Mat_9:36; Mat_14:14; Mat_15:32). Jesus' answer in Mat_15:24 was addressed to them, not the woman. This phrase is left out in Mark because he was writing to Gentiles who would not have understood the disciples'reluctance in helping a Gentile.
Mat_15:24 "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" Remember Jesus helped other Gentiles, but within the geographical boundaries of the Promised Land. If Jesus had begun a healing ministry in a Gentile land, He would have been rejected by the Jewish populous in general because of their prejudices. The phrase "lost sheep of the house of Israel" shows the spiritual condition of the Jewish people (cf. Mat_10:6; Mat_9:36).
The "shepherding" imagery began in Num_27:17 (cf. Zec_10:2). Psalms 23; Psa_78:52; Isa_40:11; Jer_31:10 depict YHWH as the Shepherd of Israel. This imagery becomes Messianic in Mic_5:2; Zec_11:4-17; and Joh_10:1-10. The bad shepherds are contrasted with the good shepherd in Ezekiel 34.
Sheep needed constant care and protection. They were helpless, defenseless, and easily influenced animals! Calling God's people sheep is not a compliment, but a spiritual reality!
Could I make one more comment on the word "only" ! Jesus helped this needy Gentile, as He did several other Gentiles. These are foreshadowings of His world-wide goal (cf. Mat_28:18-20; Luk_24:46-47; Act_1:8). The Messiah came for all humans made in God's image (cf. Gen_1:26-27). Gen_3:15 is not a promise to Israel, but to humans. The call of Abraham included a concern for Gentiles (cf. Gen_12:3). The giving of the law on Mt. Sinai included God's concern for the world (cf. Exo_19:5)!
Mat_15:26 "dogs" This is the only use of this term in the NT. Its harshness is diminished by the fact that it is diminutive in form, "puppies" (JB, "house-dogs"). The Jews called the Gentiles "dogs." This dialogue was intended to help the disciples overcome their prejudice against Gentiles. Jesus recognized and publicly affirmed that her faith was great (cf. Mat_15:28)!
Mat_15:27 "crumbs" People often used bread to wipe their hands after eating.
Mat_15:28 "O woman, your faith is great" Jesus complimented Gentiles several times (cf. Mat_8:10). This was to: (1) show His love for Gentiles, or (2) stimulate the disciples'global world view.
▣ "her daughter was healed at once" Notice that this lady did not require ritual magic or Jesus' physical presence (cf. Mat_8:8-9). When He told her that her daughter was healed, she believed.