The Dogged Faith of a Canaanite

Then Jesus went from that place and withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” But he did not say a word in answer to her. His disciples came and asked him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.” He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But the woman came and did him homage, saying, “Lord, help me.” He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed from that hour.

Matthew 15:21-28

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Universal Mercy

After a contentious encounter with the Pharisees and scribes about ceremonial laws and traditions, Jesus explains to the people that defilement comes from within, not without (Matthew 15:1-20). Then Jesus departs Israel and enters the “unclean” territory of the Gentiles—Tyre and Sidon—where he is approached by a Canaanite (Syrophoenician) woman seeking healing for her daughter. 

Annoyed, his disciples want Jesus to send the woman away. Playing on both the disciples’ and the foreigner’s social expectations, Jesus makes a distinction between Jews and Gentiles. First, he declares that his priority is to rescue “the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Hebrew identity, shaped by the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants, set Israel apart from all other nations (Deuteronomy 7:6). Second, he softens the epithet “dog,” which Jews used for Gentiles, by substituting “puppy,” “house dog,” or “little dog” (kunarion), humbling Israel to the status of children. 

The woman, picking up Jesus’ thread, immediately responds that even house dogs eat the master’s scraps. Amazed at her faith, Jesus grants her request, overcoming the social and religious divide by action rather than words. The Canaanite woman’s faith proves God’s universal mercy for Jews and Gentiles. 

Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also?
Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one…

Romans 3:29-30 (ESV)

Traditional Chinese Translation

《迦南婦人堅決的信心》 
一個迦南人強大的信心
獲得以色列家豐盛的筵席。