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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 15:28 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 15:28 portrays an event where Jesus acknowledges a Canaanite woman's great faith.

This verse concludes the story of the woman who approaches Jesus, beseeching Him to heal her demon-possessed daughter. Despite initially appearing to dismiss her because she is not an Israelite, Jesus is moved by her persistence and faith.

The phrase "O woman, great is thy faith" underscores her exceptional trust in Jesus' power to heal, regardless of cultural barriers.

The statement "be it unto thee even as thou wilt" indicates Jesus' granting her the desire of her heart based on her faith.

Her daughter being healed "from that very hour" signifies the immediacy of the miracle, underscoring the power of faith and Jesus' authority over disease and evil spirits.

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Historical Context

Matthew 15:28 arises in a predominantly Jewish audience context, highlighting a significant interaction with a Gentile, a Canaanite woman.

The historical context is rooted in the ministry of Jesus, who came first to the "lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 15:24).

At that time, Jews often viewed Canaanites as pagans and outsiders.

This encounter emphasizes the breaking of societal and religious barriers, as Jesus' mercy extends beyond ethnic boundaries.

It reflects the shifting perception of Gentiles in the early Christian church, forecasting the eventual outreach to all nations.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, Matthew 15:28 reflects several key principles:

Faith: This verse elevates faith as the critical element in receiving from God.
Grace: Jesus' response to the woman's faith illustrates God's grace, which is not restricted by ethnicity or religious background.
Inclusivity of the Gospel: The incident foretells the expansion of the Gospel to Gentiles, aligning with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations..."
Persistence in Prayer: The woman's persistence demonstrates a model for prayerful petition, being steadfast despite initial setbacks.

Different denominational viewpoints may place varying emphasis on these theological themes.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, this verse encourages believers to exhibit a resilient and humble faith that persists in the face of trials. It teaches inclusivity, suggesting that followers of Jesus should not discriminate against others based on their background.

Moreover, it encourages believers to trust in the power of prayer and to believe that God is willing and able to answer prayers in alignment with His will.

Cross-References

Matthew 8:10 - Jesus marvels at the faith of the centurion, another example of great faith from a Gentile.
Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission that calls for preaching to all nations, underscoring the inclusivity seen in Matthew 15:28.
Mark 7:24-30 - Mark's account of the same story highlights the dialogue between Jesus and the Syrophoenician woman.
James 2:18-20 - James discusses faith and deeds, reflecting the active nature of the Canaanite woman's faith.
Hebrews 11:6 - The necessity of faith to please God is emphasized, as exemplified by the Canaanite woman.

Language Study

Key words in the original Greek text include:

"faith" (πίστις, pistis): Relates to belief, trust, and confidence in Jesus.
"great" (μεγάλη, megalē): Implies magnitude and intensity, signifying the woman's exceptional faith.
"be it unto thee" (γένοιτό σοι, genoito soi): A granting of her petition, indicating the fulfillment of her request.
"made whole" (ἰάθη, iathē): Translates to healed or cured, indicating a full restoration of health.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparing this interaction with other ancient myths or religious interpretations, the theme of faith transcending cultural barriers can be found in various traditions.

However, the uniqueness in Christianity is evidenced by the personal nature of Jesus' interaction with the woman and the subsequent immediate healing, which differs from the often impersonal gods or demigods of ancient myths.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific standpoint, the healing of the woman's daughter "from that very hour" can be seen as a miraculous event beyond the explanation of medical science at the time.

While modern medicine may describe similar recoveries as spontaneous remission, the Bible attributes such healings to divine intervention in response to faith.

Commentaries

Common consensus among various Biblical scholars and commentaries regarding Matthew 15:28 highlights the significant shift from Jewish exclusivism to a more inclusive vision within Matthew's Gospel, where faith becomes the central requirement for Jesus' healing and blessing.

Commentators often point out Jesus' role in gentile inclusion and the foreshadowing of the church's mission to reach all nations.

They emphasize that the story of the Canaanite woman is a testament to the importance of persistent faith and how it can break down barriers and lead to remarkable outcomes.

Matthew 15

Matthew 15

What does Matthew 15:28 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 15:28 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?