Discover the Gospel of Mark in 3 WeeksSample

Who Can Eat the Children’s Bread? - Part 1 of 2 (Mark 7:1-8:21)

“Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” Mark 7:28 (NIV)

Context:

In Day 8’s “Context,” the Decapolis was described as a region inhabited by many Greeks. In today’s reading, Jesus again travels to this area (Mark 7:31). He also travels to Tyre and Sidon in the Roman province of Phoenicia (Mark 7:24, 31). Like the Decapolis, these cities had more Greek inhabitants than the cities of Judea and Galilee. Before the region was conquered by the Romans (in 64 BC), they were even known as centers of Greek philosophy and learning.

The readings for today (Mark 7:1-30) and Day 12 (Mark 7:31-8:21) are connected by the theme of bread and/or references to eating:

• The Pharisees are concerned about Jesus’ disciples eating with unwashed hands (Mark 7:1-13)
• Jesus declares all foods clean (Mark 7:14-23)
• Jesus tells a Syrophoenician woman that the children’s bread shouldn’t be tossed to dogs but she replies, “Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs” (Mark 7:24-30)
• Jesus feeds the 4,000 with fish and loaves, with leftovers to spare (Mark 8:1-10)
• The disciples forget bread and Jesus warns them about the yeast of the Pharisees (Mark 8:14-21)

Observation:

As you read Mark 7, consider the diverse responses to Jesus when he does things that are difficult to understand:

• The Pharisees and teachers of the law interrogate him (Mark 7:5), prioritizing human traditions over the commands of God (Mark 7:6-13)
• The disciples are described as “dull” or “without understanding” when they do not understand his teaching (Mark 7:14-23)
• The Syrophoenician woman demonstrates her remarkable faith in Jesus, regardless of his apparent hesitation to help (Mark 7:24-30)

Interpretation:

The story where Jesus refuses to “give bread” to a Syrophoencian woman (a Gentile) by healing her daughter is one of the most difficult stories in the gospels. At first, Jesus sounds harsh—like he doesn’t want her (and other Gentiles) to receive what he provides. However, the broader context suggests that something else is going on.

• Just before this story, Mark reported that Jesus declared all foods clean (Mark 7:19). In the Old Covenant, the food laws had set Jews apart from Gentiles (see Lev 11, especially v44-47). Thus, in the immediate context, Jesus doesn’t seem concerned about maintaining distinctions between ethnic groups.
• This story takes place in Tyre or Sidon (Mark 7:24). While many religious Jews would have completely avoided these Greek cities, Jesus had intentionally traveled there.

After today’s reading from Mark, you will read Matthew’s version of Jesus’ interaction with the Syrophoencian woman. Can you identify any additional details from Matthew’s version that indicate Jesus is not opposed to offering his “bread” to this woman by healing her daughter?

• What would Jesus’s disciples learn from this interaction?
• What would the woman learn?

Application:

Rather than causing the Syrophoencian woman offense, Jesus’s difficult words drew forth a demonstration of her great faith. Are there any words or deeds of Jesus that you find particularly difficult? What are they? How might they become an invitation for you to keep approaching him with faith, regardless of how great or small it might feel?