PrevMatthew 15:25Next

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 15:25 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 15:25 depicts a Canaanite woman's plea for help from Jesus.

In this verse, the woman, who earlier had been seeking mercy for her demon-possessed daughter, approaches Jesus again with greater intensity and humility. Recognizing his authority, she kneels before him to worship and directly asks for his aid.

The verse illustrates her persistence, reverence, and faith in Jesus's power to heal, despite her initial dismissal.

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

The encounter occurs in the region of Tyre and Sidon, areas predominantly populated by Gentiles (non-Jews) at the time of Jesus' ministry.

Jewish people during this era generally avoided interaction with Gentiles, considering them unclean. This historical backdrop emphasizes the cultural boundaries that the Canaanite woman crossed in approaching a Jewish rabbi for help, and the inclusivity of Jesus' ministry.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse demonstrates Jesus' willingness to extend his grace beyond the Jewish people.

The Canaanite woman's faith contrasts with the lack of faith often exhibited by Israel, the chosen people of God.

Her story is seen by some as a foreshadowing of the Christian gospel being spread to all nations.

Practical Applications

This verse can inspire individuals to persevere in prayer and seek God with humility, regardless of cultural boundaries or previous rejections. It serves as a reminder that faith and persistence in asking for divine help are honored.

Cross-References

Matthew 7:7: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:"
Matthew 9:22: "But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole.

And the woman was made whole from that hour."

Mark 7:25-29: Describes a similar account of the Syrophoenician woman's faith and Jesus' response to it.

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek text are: 1.

"Worshipped" (Greek: προσκυνέω - proskyneō): To bow down or prostrate oneself in reverence, often before a deity. 2.

"Lord" (Greek: Κύριος - Kyrios): A title of respect, often used in addressing someone with authority, and frequently used for addressing God or Jesus in the New Testament. 3.

"Help" (Greek: βοήθεια - boētheia): Assistance or aid; in this context, it implies a desperate need for divine intervention.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The act of worshipping a deity was common in ancient cultures and religions but approached differently across various traditions.

In some mythologies, individuals sought favor from capricious gods through sacrifices or rituals, while in Jewish tradition, worship was directed exclusively to the one monotheistic God, with a focus on prayer and ethical living.

Scientific Perspectives

From a psychological and sociological standpoint, the behaviors and interactions in this verse demonstrate the human tendencies of persistence in the face of desperation and the social dynamics of intergroup relations (Jews and Gentiles).

Scholars interlink this narrative with studies on how marginalized groups seek help from those with perceived power.

Commentaries

Commentaries on this verse often emphasize the woman's faith and Jesus' response as markers of true discipleship.

Matthew Henry's commentary highlights her persistence despite the discouragement, which he sees as a key lesson in prayer and faith.

William Barclay notes the importance of the story in illustrating the universality of Jesus' mission.

Other scholars suggest that this interaction is pivotal for understanding the inclusion of Gentiles in the early Christian church.

Matthew 15

Matthew 15

What does Matthew 15:25 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 15:25 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?