Note.—Study in connection with the lesson the preceding verses of the chapter, and also read 1 Kings 17:8–24. Christ’s work in Galilee was continued for about two months after the death of John the Baptist. The opposition to His work continued to increase until its culmination at the cross. It will be noticed that the work of Elijah recorded in the reference above was performed in this same region. The object and mission of miracles may be dwelt upon by the teacher with profit to his class.
21 “And Jesus went out thence, and withdrew into the parts of 22 Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanitish woman came out from those borders, and cried, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and besought Him, saying, Send her away; for 23 she crieth after us. But He answered and said, I was not sent 24 but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. But she came 25 and worshiped Him, saying, Lord, help me. And He answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread and 26 cast it to the dogs. But she said, Yea, Lord; for even the dogs 27 eat of the crumbs which fall from their master’s table. Then 28 Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it done unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was healed from that hour.
29 “And Jesus departed thence, and came nigh unto the Sea of Galilee; and He went up into the mountain, and sat there. 30 And there came unto Him great multitudes, having with them the lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and they 31 cast them down at His feet; and he healed them: insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb speaking, the maimed whole, and the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.”
Golden Text: “Then came she and worshiped Him, saying, Lord, help me.”Matt. 15:25.
Suggestive Questions.
(1) After leaving Galilee, to what places did Jesus go? Verse 21. Note 1. (2) Who came to Him at this place? Verse 22. (3) What appeal did she make to Him? Same verse. (4) What statement did she make in regard to her daughter? Same verse. (5) How were her words received? Verse 23. Note 2. (6) What request did the disciples make of the Saviour? Same verse. (7) What reply did the Saviour make to them? Verse 24. Note 3. (8) What did the woman then do? Verse 25. (9) What petition did she make to the Saviour? Same verse. (10) How did the Saviour reply to this request? Verse 26. Note 4. (11) What memorable reply did the woman make to the Saviour’s statement? Verse 27. (12) Having tested the woman’s faith, what did the Saviour say of it? Verse 28. (13) What assuring words did He speak to her? Same verse. (14) What was the result? Same verse. (15) To what place did the Saviour next go? Verse 29. (16) Who came to Him at this place? Verse 30. (17) For what purpose? Same verse. (18) What did He do for them? Same verse. (19) What effect did Christ’s work here have upon the multitude? Verse 31. (20) How did they show that they realized what power wrought these miracles? Same verse.
Notes.
1. Tyre and Sidon.—These cities were flourishing seaports on the shores of the Mediterranean. Tyre was twenty miles south of Sidon and thirty-five miles from the Sea of Galilee.
2. He answered her not a word.—In appearance the Saviour treated her supplications with indifference. In reality He was testing her faith, and thereby teaching us a lesson as well as those who were present at the time. Her remarkable faith is an enduring monument.
3. I was not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.—He was laying the foundation for His kingdom, and that must be laid among the people whom God recognized as His. Christ had told His disciples when He sent them out that they were to go only to the Jews; but this woman had come to Him. It was ever God’s plan to help the stranger, or one of another nation, who sought Him. See Deut. 10:17–19; 2 Chron. 6:32, 33. “God is no respecter of persons.” Whether the woman of Samaria, or the woman of Sidon, or the Samaritan leper, His grace flows freely for all.
4. To take the children’s bread and cast it to the dogs.—So the Jews in general regarded the nations around them. A “Gentile dog” was a common term of reproach. Morrison says: “There was some reason lying at the base of the designation. The heathens around were, in the mass, exceedingly unclean and ferocious; barking, too, incessantly, at the true God and godliness.” But the woman did not care for reproach. Her whole soul went out for her daughter’s salvation. Her faith would not be turned aside by a false pride. Whose should be?
