The story in today’s passage is pivotal for understanding Jesus’ posture toward the world at large. Before the change after Peter’s vision in Acts 10, before Pentecost, before what is known as “the Great Commission” of Matthew 28, we have this conversation between Jesus and the Canaanite woman.
As a Gentile, she is an outsider geographically, ethnically, religiously. As a Canaanite, part of a people long considered the enemies of Israel in the biblical narrative. When she cries out for mercy, Jesus initially responds with silence. When he does speak, his words are difficult: he explains that he was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, and even uses a striking metaphor: It is not fair to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.
Yet she does not withdraw. She leans in. Her response is not just clever; it is humble, persistent, and filled with faith. She seems to understand Jesus’ mission even better than many of his own disciples do.
Jesus’ response is quite the shift from what he initially said. And it still challenges most of us today as a challenge to the presumptions and assumptions we have about the people we meet.
Jesus often uses a word that is usually rendered woman in English. It can come across as harsh. But the Greek word is γύναι (gynai). It actually is a formal and respectful way to address a woman, not unlike Sir or Ma’am. Jesus uses the same word when addressing his own mother (John 2:4; 19:26), and also when tenderly speaking to women he heals (Luke 13:12). It is not derogatory. Quite the opposite—it signals a moment of attention, dignity, and often affection. It marks the weight of what is being said.
Jesus is recognizing her dignity, her voice, and her faith. And in doing so, he crosses a boundary that his culture had drawn thick and dark. This foreign woman is not merely an object lesson. She becomes the very embodiment of faith, and Jesus heals her daughter instantly.
The story hints at something larger than itself. It’s a crack in the wall of exclusivity—a moment of foreshadowing that the kingdom of God is not confined to Israel alone. Long before Paul would write that there is no longer Jew or Gentile in Christ, this woman’s persistence and Jesus’ response show that the gospel is moving outward, breaking barriers, reshaping belonging.
Matthew 15:21-28
From there, Jesus went to the regions of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from those territories came out and shouted, “Show me mercy, Son of David. My daughter is suffering terribly from demon possession.” But he didn’t respond to her at all.
His disciples came and urged him, “Send her away; she keeps shouting out after us.”
Jesus replied, “I’ve been sent only to the lost sheep, the people of Israel.”
But she knelt before him and said, “Lord, help me.”
He replied, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and toss it to dogs.”
She said, “Yes, Lord. But even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall off their masters’ table.”
Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith. It will be just as you wish.” And right then her daughter was healed.
Psalm 67:1-2
Let God grant us grace and bless us; let God make his face shine on us…so that your way becomes known on earth, so that your salvation becomes known among all the nations.
Prayer
God,
Give me eyes for people as you see them. I have so many presumptions, assumptions, and conclusions regarding people. Some would call it prejudice. For sure, I prejudge people. Help me to be open. Move me toward relationship. Break up my callousness.
Make me like Jesus.
By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.