Background Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28
Lesson Context: Jesus and his disciples departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon; not to those cities ( they were excluded from any share in Christ’s mighty works, Matt. 11:21-22), but also that part of the land of Israel which lay that way thither he went to look after this poor woman, whom he had mercy in reserve for. While he went about doing good, he was never out of his way. The Canaanite woman was a Gentile. But, Jesus showed compassion on her.
First Request (Matthew 15:21-24):
A. Woman’s Mission (vv. 21-22).
21. Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. The woman came to intercede for her daughter; and she provided a picture of an effective intercessor-her great need taught her how to pray. When she came to Jesus, she made her daughter’s needs her own.
22a. And behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him. Have mercy on me-my daughter is severely demon possessed.
22b. Saying, Have mercy on me , O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. The Gentile woman understood who Jesus was. Many of Jesus’ own countrymen did not know who Jesus was; but this woman of Canaan knew. Perhaps this woman knew that Jesus had healed Gentiles before. Yet what made this encounter unique is that Jesus performed these miracles as Gentiles came to him in Jewish territory. Here, Jesus came to Gentile territory and met this woman.
Jesus’ Mission (vv. 23-24).
23a. But he answered her not a word. Though the Gentile mother interceded for her daughter, Jesus did not immediately give her an encouraging reply. His reference drew a more energetic and faith-filled response from the Gentile woman.
23b. And his disciples came and besought him, Send her away; fro she crieth after us. It is likely that the disciples meant, “Send her away by giving her what she wants.” It is entirely possible that they just wanted her to go away, and the easiest way to fix her problem.
24. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Jesus defined the focus of his mission to His irritated disciples and to the Gentile woman. He made it clear that he was not sent to Gentiles like her.
Second Request ( Matthew 15:25-28):
A. Great Need ( v. 25).
25. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. The woman did not debate Jesus on the direction of His mission. Instead, she sought relief in a way that could only come from a desperate mother.
B. Greater Priority (vv. 26-27).
26. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.
27. And she said, Truth, Lord, yet the dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their master’s table. She responded to the rebuff from Jesus with increased dedication to prevail with her request. In so doing, the Gentile woman continued to show what a dedicated intercessor does. “She could not solve the problem with her race, and of the Lord’s commission, but she could pray. If as a Shepherd, he may not gather her, yet as Lord, he may help her.” (Spurgeon)
C. Great Faith (v. 28):
28a. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith.
Finally, the woman will receive an encouraging word from Jesus. Jesus never said this to another person. He complimented the great faith of the Roman centurion who asked Jesus to heal his servant (Matthew 8:2), but, He said it to the crowd, not to the centurion directly. The Gentile woman heard it from Jesus directly.
28b. Be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. The Canaanite woman’s great faith was rewarded by Jesus healing her demon-possessed daughter.
References: International Sunday School Lesson, KJV 2023-2024, David Guzik Bible Commentary