“Then she came and worshipped Him, saying, ‘Lord, help me!’  But He answered and said, ‘It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.   And she said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.’  Then Jesus answered and said to her, ‘O woman, great is your faith!  Let it be as you desire.  ‘And her daughter was healed from that very hour” (Matthew 15:25-28 cf. Mark 7:25-30). 

The place was in the region of Tyre and Sidon.  These were cities of Phoenicia   (today located in Lebanon).  This was gentile land.

Why was Jesus and his disciples there?  Perhaps, this was a short retreat from the crowds, a vacation.  We are told that Jesus “entered a house and wanted no one to know it” (Mark 7:24).

A woman came to him.  Matthew describes her as “a woman of Canaan from that region” (Matthew 15:22).  Mark described her as “a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by birth” (Mark 7:26).  She had a daughter that was demon possessed.

At first, Jesus did not answer her (Matthew 15:23).  Why not?  Did he not care?  Surely, this is not the answer.  I believe that: (1) Jesus was responding as a typical Jew would, and even as his disciples would.  (2) He is doing so to reveal her great faith and to teach the disciples a lesson.

The disciples did not want to be bothered by the woman.  They urged Jesus, “Send her away, for she cries out after us” (Matthew 15:23).  They had no time for her. Did they want Jesus to send her away without helping her? Some think this is the case. Did they want Jesus to quickly give her what she wants and send her away? Some think this is possibly the meaning. Either way, they seem to want to get rid of her.

Jesus finally spoke saying, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 15:28).  Was this addressed to the woman?  Or was Jesus replying to the disciples?  Commentators are divided.  Either way, she heard what Jesus said.  Here are a couple of things to keep in mind: (1) It is true that Jesus’ mission was to Israel (Matthew 1:21; Luke 1:68, 77 cf. 2:32; Matthew 10:5-6; Romans 15:8).  (2) However, it should be remembered that Jesus already had shown interest in and had done kind acts for non-Israelites (See John 4:5-42; Matthew 8:5-13).  [Note: The word Jesus used for “dog” was not the word which is else-where used to describe poor character (kuon, Matthew 7:6; Philippians 3:2; 2 Peter 2:22; Revelation 22:15). The word used (kunarion) is softer. It was used of puppies and household pets (see BDAG). Marvin Vincent says, ” The picture is of a family meal with the pet house-dogs running around the table” (studylight.org)]

The woman did not give up.  She was persistent.  She acknowledged the priority of Israel in his mission.  Then, she said, ‘even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table” (Matthew 15:27). Her response was perfect, on cue.

Jesus responded favorably.  He commends her great faith.  Twice Jesus pointed out gentiles with great faith (Matthew 8:10; 15:28).  He healed her daughter. 

Lessons

Here are some lessons for us to learn: (1) In life there are responsibilities, and priorities which come with these responsibilities.  A Christian is provided these priorities: (a) The first priority is his household (immediate family); (b) The second is his own (extended family, family not living with him); (c) Third is the household of faith (church members); (d) Fourth is all others as one has opportunity (See: 1 Timothy 5:3-4, 8, 16; Galatians 6:10).  Time and other resources must be prioritized.  (2) Even when a matter is outside one’s mission or priorities, if good may be done without sacrificing or harming the mission, then it should be done.  “Even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table” (Matthew 15:27).  “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10).  (3) Some gentiles had great faith (Matthew 8:10; 15:28).  We should not judge one’s spiritual interest by his nationality.  Faith is individual.  I believe that Jesus wanted his disciples to see this.  He had other sheep to call (John 10:16).  He would send the apostles into all the world (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-49; Acts 1:8).