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Matthew 15: 21-28
21Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.”
23Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”
24He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”
25The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.
26He replied, “It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs.”
27″Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.”
28Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
I read this passage the other night and was a bit taken back by the wording Christ used. Especially in verse 26. I know that the theme of Jews & Gentiles is prevalent throughout scripture and I believe that is the point Christ is putting through as he tests her faith. The words used seemed a bit harsh.
Can anyone share their thoughts and feelings on these verses? Or add some cultural or historical context to them? Thanks all.
God Bless
Quote (Jefe Gordo @ May 05 2007,05:07) Matthew 15: 21-28 21Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.”
23Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”
24He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”
25The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.
26He replied, “It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs.”
27″Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.”
28Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
I read this passage the other night and was a bit taken back by the wording Christ used. Especially in verse 26. I know that the theme of Jews & Gentiles is prevalent throughout scripture and I believe that is the point Christ is putting through as he tests her faith. The words used seemed a bit harsh.
Can anyone share their thoughts and feelings on these verses? Or add some cultural or historical context to them? Thanks all.
God Bless
Hello.I to wonder whats going on.You are not alone.
Remember Jesus said to Love your enemies?
Well lets look at this verse.
Luke 19:27
27But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me .Hi U,
Christ is an absolutely obedient servant to his God.
He is also truth so he is not a soothsayer but one who offended.
His mission was to the Jews and his words challenged her to fail the test of faith.
She did not do so as the gentiles often did not and God revealed to Him the plan was to be enlargedJefe
I did write to some Jewish people to help me.To get a better understanding.We just cant use a 21st Century thought for a 1st Century mind.As soon as I receive information I will let you know.
Quote (Jefe Gordo @ May 05 2007,05:07) I read this passage the other night and was a bit taken back by the wording Christ used. Especially in verse 26. I know that the theme of Jews & Gentiles is prevalent throughout scripture and I believe that is the point Christ is putting through as he tests her faith. The words used seemed a bit harsh. Can anyone share their thoughts and feelings on these verses? Or add some cultural or historical context to them? Thanks all.
God Bless
Hi Jefe,
Here's a good perspective on that passage, I think:Quote Matthew 15:26 But he answered and said, It is not meet … – That is, it is not appropriate or proper.
Children' s bread – The Jews considered themselves as the special children of God.
To all other nations they were accustomed to apply terms of contempt, of which dogs was the most common. The Muslims still apply the term “dogs” to Christians, and Christians and Jews to each other. The term is designed as an expression of the highest contempt. The Saviour means to say that he was sent to the Jews. The woman was a Gentile. He meant merely using a term in common use, and designed to test her faith in the strongest manner – that it did not comport with the design of his personal ministry to apply benefits intended for the Jews to others. Evidently he cannot be understood as intending to justify or sanction the use of such terms, or calling names. He meant to try her faith. As if he had said, “You are a Gentile; I am a Jew. The Jews call themselves children of God. You they vilify and abuse, calling you a dog. Are you willing to receive of a Jew, then, a favor? Are you willing to submit to these appellations to receive a favor of one of that nation, and to acknowledge your dependence on a people that so despise you?” It was, therefore, a trial of her faith, and was not a lending of his sanction to the propriety of the abusive term. He regarded her with a different feeling.
Matthew 15:27
And she said, truth, Lord … – What you say is true.
Let it be that the best food should be given to the children – let the Jews have the chief benefit of thy ministry; but the dogs beneath the table eat the crumbs. So let me be regarded as a dog, a pagan, as unworthy of everything. Yet grant one exertion of that almighty power displayed so signally among the Jews, and heal the despised daughter of a despised heathen mother.”
Matthew 15:28
Great is thy faith – That is, thy trust, confidence.
The word here seems to include, also, the humility and perseverance manifested in pressing her suit. The daughter was healed then. Going home, she found her well and composed, Mark 7:30.
AT Robertson also gives some good grammatical insights:
Quote Matthew 15:27 Even the dogs (kai ta kunaria). She took no offence at the implication of being a Gentile dog. The rather she with quick wit took Christ's very word for little dogs (kunaria) and deftly turned it to her own advantage, for the little dogs eat of the crumbs (yixiwn, little morsels, diminutive again) that fall from the table of their masters (kuriwn), the children.
From here:
http://bibletools.org//index.cfm/fuseaction/Bible.show
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