Expert: Dean Gade - 1/24/2010

Question
Hey there!

I've heard many different interpretations of Matthew 15:21-28, but many are offering varying and significantly differences. If you could please help clear up Jesus' reaction to the woman's plea for help, that would be greatly appreciated!

"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."

God Bless,
Chris

Answer
Chris,
As you have already seen, there are many interpretations that can be drawn from an incident in the Bible.  I have found it best for us to teach what we are sure of from those incidents and not concentrate on being "perfectly correct" in our interpretation first. God gave us His word to minister to others who need to know Him and His love for them.

From scripture we know that Jesus was not haphazard in His ministry. He had just been rejected as savior by the Pharisees; who were "His people"...even as He had told His disciples about "shaking the dust from your shoes" if they reject you and the one who sent you. So now He leaves the land of His people and goes along the coast of a country whose people were not in God's promise to the Jews.  He KNEW that He was going for the salvation and the freedom from sin of this woman and her family.   

This is a great teaching  for all of us "Gentiles" by birth (but children of God and His promises by our re-birth into His kingdom).   He is a "light to bring light to the Gentiles".

He knew what He was doing each time He spoke to her. He knew her spirit.  I don't.  I only know that He is love and rewards all those who seek Him.  He, on the other hand knew what needed to transpire and be said for her existing faith in Him to grow and remain strong.

We can guess as to why He had to seem so discouraging...and not even rebuke His disciples for trying to send her away... but we don't know the hearts of others as He did.

[Matt 9:4
4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do...NIV

Matt 22:18
18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said,...NIV

Luke 9:47
47 Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child....NIV]

So, that's my answer:    Jesus wanted her to receive the healing for her daughter AND eternal life for both of them besides.  That's why He reacted the way He did to her pleas for help to Him.

Luke 5:22-26
22 Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 23 Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. . . ." He said to the paralyzed man, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home."  25 Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. 26 Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today."
NIV