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Matthew 15

Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,

Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.

But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;

And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.

Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:

Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?

But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.

Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.

And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?

Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?

But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.

And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, 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 she crieth after us.

But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.

But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.

And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.

Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.

And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them:

Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.

Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.

And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?

And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.

And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.

And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.

And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children.

And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala,

What does Matthew 15:22 mean?

Explanation

The verse in question, Matthew 15:22, narrates the encounter between Jesus and a Canaanite woman who seeks healing for her daughter.

Literally, the woman is described as coming from the Canaan region, indicating she is not part of the Jewish community to which Jesus primarily ministered.

Her plea, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David," reveals her recognition of Jesus' authority and messianic title "Son of David." The phrase "grievously vexed with a devil" denotes that her daughter was suffering from a severe demonic affliction.

Deeper meanings can be derived from her approach, revealing a profound faith and acknowledgment of Jesus' power to heal and deliver, despite her being a foreigner. Her plea for mercy indicates a humble recognition of her situation and Jesus' capacity to alleviate it.

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Historical Context

Matthew’s Gospel was written in a Judeo-Christian context where the relationship between Jews and Gentiles was marked by cultural tensions and religious boundaries.

Canaanites, in particular, were historically seen as enemies and outsiders to the Jewish people.

The "coasts" mentioned refer to the regions outside the Jewish homeland, possibly the area of Tyre and Sidon, which were predominantly Gentile.

This encounter challenges the typical ministry reach of Jesus, reflecting the growing idea of the mission to the Gentiles.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse exemplifies God’s mercy and the extension of Jesus’ ministry to all people, regardless of their ethnic background.

This event foreshadows the mission to the Gentiles and indicates that faith, not ethnicity, is paramount in the Kingdom of God.

Different denominations may emphasize the universality of Jesus' message and the role of faith in receiving God's grace.

Practical Applications

This verse can inspire individuals to approach God with humility and faith when seeking help. It also encourages believers to be inclusive and compassionate toward those outside their immediate community, aligning with the Christian calling to love and serve others.

Furthermore, it reminds us that one's background does not limit access to God’s mercy.

Cross-References

Matthew 28:19 - "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:"
Mark 7:25-29 - The parallel account of the Syrophoenician woman’s faith and her daughter’s healing.
Acts 10:34-35 - Peter’s realization that God shows no partiality between Jews and Gentiles.

Language Study

Central to understanding this verse is the term "Canaanite," a reference to a historical group of people who inhabited the region of Canaan, associated with the enemies of Israel.

The term "mercy" in Greek is "ελέησόν" (eleeison), a plea for compassion or pity.

"Lord" is translated from "Κύριε" (Kyrie), denoting authority or master, and "Son of David" is a messianic title used by Jews to refer to the promised deliverer.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparisons can be drawn between this woman's plea for her demonically oppressed daughter and ancient Near Eastern practices of exorcism and appeals to deities for healing.

Her faith in Jesus stands in contrast to the typical mythological approach to multiple gods, and it illustrates a transition to the worship of one God with the power to heal and save.

Scientific Perspectives

The scientific community generally views accounts of demon possession and exorcism as part of the ancient world's attempt to explain and manage mental illness and other disorders unknown to them at the time.

From a modern scientific perspective, the "devil" may be interpreted as a manifestation of a psychological or neurological condition.

Commentaries

Commentators often focus on the woman's exemplary faith despite being a Gentile.

They interpret Jesus’ initial dismissal not as unkindness, but as a test of faith and an opportunity to teach His disciples about the expansion of God’s kingdom.

Experts may also highlight the importance of this encounter in the larger narrative of the Gospel as a moment that signifies the inclusion of Gentiles in the salvation offered through Christ.

Matthew 15

Matthew 15

What does Matthew 15:22 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Matthew 15:22 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?