Women of the New TestamentMuestra

The Canaanite Woman, the Mother Who Persisted

The Canaanite woman knew her status in society. She is not only a Gentile but a Canaanite. The Canaanites were living in the land of Canaan before God promised it to Abraham. They were known to practice child sacrifice, temple prostitution, and other atrocities. God had ordered their destruction and the demolition of their idols in the Old Testament (see Numbers 33:50-55; Deuteronomy 7:1-11).

The long-standing enmity between the Jews and the Canaanites makes the story of the woman in Matthew 15 particularly striking. Risking rejection and humiliation, this woman courageously crosses ethnic, religious, and gender barriers to beg Jesus to heal her daughter.

Like the bleeding woman, she has probably exhausted all her options. Her daughter is suffering terribly from demon possession, and she is desperate. Her love for her daughter gives her the courage and persistence to do everything she can. When she hears that Jesus has come to the region of Tyre and Sidon, she seeks Him out.

When she approaches Jesus, she cries out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Matthew 15:22). The woman has no standing to come to Jesus. No money to offer him. No rights or status. But she comes to Jesus on the basis of His goodness and mercy. She calls Him “Son of David,” a title Jews reserved for the Messiah. Implicit in her address is a recognition of the right of the kingdom of David over the land.

At first, Jesus doesn’t answer her, but she will not relent. The disciples are annoyed and ask Jesus to send her away. But He stays with her and engages her in conversation, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” Undeterred, the woman boldly comes and kneels before Him, “Lord, help me!” (verses 23-24).

Jesus replies, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs” (verse 26). On the surface, Jesus appears to be insulting her by comparing her to a dog. Jews in that culture often refer to Gentiles as dogs. Scholars disagree on the meaning of His statement. Is Jesus mirroring to the disciples what they are thinking? Is Jesus testing the woman’s faith or bantering with her?

Without missing a beat, the woman replies, “Yes it is, Lord. Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table” (verse 27). Wow, the woman knows that there’s more than enough at the table for everyone, and she wants hers now!

Pleased to grant her request, Jesus praises her “great faith,” and her daughter is healed at that moment. I believe that all along, Jesus wanted to use this conversation to challenge cultural biases and people’s limited understanding of His mission. His mission began with the Jews but was always intended to expand to everyone who has faith in Him. By emphasizing how remarkable this Canaanite woman’s faith is, Jesus shows how His grace extends to all.

Prayer: God, thank you that I can approach your throne of grace with boldness, not on the basis of my merit, but because of what Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross. Thank you, that I can bring my requests to you, knowing that you are good and merciful. Please help me to persevere in prayer and on behalf of those who are suffering. In Jesus’ name, Amen.