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မဂ္ဂဇင်း 15:23
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- DailyBible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
Genesis 42:7, Deuteronomy 8:2, Psalms 28:1, Lamentations 3:8
Send: Matthew 14:15, Mark 10:47, Mark 10:48
Reciprocal: 2 Kings 4:27 - thrust 2 Kings 5:10 - sent a messenger Job 30:20 - I cry Matthew 20:31 - rebuked Mark 6:36 - General Mark 7:27 - Let Mark 8:33 - he rebuked Luke 4:38 - they Luke 9:12 - Send Luke 18:5 - weary John 8:6 - as though
Gill's Notes on the Bible
But he answered her not a word,.... Not that he did not hear her, or that he despised either her person or petition, or that he was not moved with it; but to continue her importunity, and try her faith, and make it manifest: for like reasons the Lord does not always, and immediately, answer the requests of his people. This giving her no answer, either that he would, or would not help her, carried in it a tacit repulse of her, and a denial of assistance to her; and it seems as if she did for a while desist from her application to him, and betook herself to his disciples to plead with him for her:
and his disciples came; to the house where he was; who, it seems by this, had been elsewhere;
and besought him, saying, send her away; not in any shape, with any sort of answer, without curing her daughter, or without a promise of a cure; no, they desired she might be dismissed, with a grant of her request, to her entire satisfaction, as appears from Christ's answer: the reason they give is,
for she crieth after us; not only because she was troublesome to them, was importunate with them, and would take no denial from them: she followed them wherever they went; there was no getting rid of her: but also, because her case was so moving, was delivered in such an affecting manner, and her cries were piercing, that they could not bear them; and therefore entreat him, that he would relieve, and dismiss her.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
This narrative is also found in Mark 7:24-30.
The coasts of Tyre and Sidon - These cities were on the seacoast or shore of the Mediterranean. See the notes at Matthew 11:21. Jesus went there for the purpose of concealment Mark 7:24, perhaps still to avoid Herod.
Matthew 15:22
A woman of Canaan - This woman is called, also, a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by birth, Mark 7:26
In ancient times, the whole land, including Tyre and Sidon, was in the possession of the Canaanites, and called Canaan. The Phoenicians were descended from the Canaanites. The country, including Tyre and Sidon, was called Phoenicia, or Syro-Phoenicia. That country was taken by the Greeks under Alexander the Great, and those cities, in the time of Christ, were Greek cities. This woman was therefore a Gentile, living under the Greek government, and probably speaking the Greek language. She was by birth a Syro-Phoenician, born in that country, and descended, therefore, from the ancient Canaanites. All these names might, with propriety, be given to her.
Coasts - Regions or countries.
Thou son of David - Descendant of David. See the notes at Matthew 1:1. The phrase here means the Messiah.
Is grievously vexed with a devil - See the notes at Matthew 4:24. The woman showed great earnestness. She cried unto him, and fell at his feet, Mark 7:25.
Matthew 15:23
But he answered her not a word - This was done to test her faith, and that there might be exhibited to the apostles an example of the effect of persevering supplication.
The result shows that it was not unwillingness to aid her, or neglect of her. It was proper that the strength of her faith should be fully tried.
Matthew 15:24
But he answered and said, I am not sent ... - This answer was made to the woman, not to the disciples.
The “lost sheep of the house of Israel” were the Jews. He came first to them. He came as their expected Messiah. He came to preach the gospel himself to the Jews only. Afterward it was preached to the Gentiles, but the ministry of Jesus was confined almost entirely to the Jews.
Matthew 15:25
She came and worshipped - That is, bowed down to him or did him reverence.
See the notes at Matthew 8:2.
Lord, help me! - A proper cry for a poor sinner, who needs the help of the Lord Jesus.
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.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Matthew 15:23. He answered her not a word. — Seemed to take time to consider her request, and to give her the opportunity of exercising her faith, and manifesting her fervour.