Is Jesus A Perfect Revelation of God’s Nature? Part V: What About The Syrophoenician Woman’s Daughter? (Matthew 15:21-28)
Again, reading the narrative on the surface makes it appear as though Jesus had a snobbish disposition towards this woman and would only give her her miracle if she begged and pleaded long enough. But let look at it closely, shall we?
Matthew 15:22-23 (NKJV)
22 And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.” 23 But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.” Now, why didn’t Jesus answer her a word?
Again, historical criticism would help clear this up. Notice that she called Jesus “Son of David.” This was a term in Bible which was exclusive to the Jews and the Jews ALONE for their Messiah (see Matthew 1:1, Isaiah 9:6-7, Isaiah 7:1314, John 7:40-42, Mark 12:35 and Mark 11:8-10). The Messiah was promised by God to come from the lineage of David. This promise was made PRIMARILY to the Jewish nation. But this woman wasn’t a Jewess, she was from Canaan (a Gentile)! She actually came in pretence, disguising as a Jew in order to “steal” a blessing from Jesus. She didn’t care about His heart for her, just her miracle. To her, He couldn’t be SO good to heal her sick daughter if He knew who she REALLY was (the Jews & Gentiles were very hostile towards one another during Jesus’ time) so she wore the “Jewish mask.” Now, follow closely;
23 But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.”
“Send her away” in the Greek literally means “just give her her miracle!” To do this was to stop her incessant cries which at this point was already irritating.Observe Jesus’ response:
24 But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” He wanted her to know that He knew she was pretending to be a Jewess. He knew who she was! 25 Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!”
The word “worshipped” as used here was translated from the Greek word “proskuneó” which means “to prostrate and touch the ground with the forehead.” Finally, she called Him “Lord.” She knew her cover was blown.
26 But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”
Jesus wanted her to see her true state, he wanted to remove all self-consciousness i.e thinking she could DO to merit healing.
27 And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”
Finally she was admitting her state; she left pretence and depended SOLELY on the goodness of the Master!
Now, hear Jesus:
28 Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
See that? When she stopped depending on pretence and started depending on the goodness of Jesus, she received her miracle! Jesus simply wanted her to quit the act and begin aggressively believing on His goodness; that He could give regardless of her! Her “great faith” was great because of her great Jesus-consciousness. Jesus wants us to realize that He gives FREELY at all times! Our inadequacies will NEVER hinder our receiving. The Gentile woman learnt this and received her miracle. Being a Gentile “sinner” didn’t disqualify her! Again, the Father’s perfectly good nature is revealed. He will NEVER shut His ears to the cry of the needy. He is one who gives, heals & blesses freely. We’ve seen this clearly in both narratives. I trust this helped, let me know. Share with a friend too.
© Josh Banks Ministries. 2020.
