COMMENTARY ON MARY
LESSON NUMBER 80
“ Mark 7:24 And from thence He arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but He could not be hid. 25 For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of Him, and came and fell at His feet: 26 The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought Him that He would cast forth the devil out of her daughter.”
(Mark 7:24-26; Matthew 15:21-28)
THE SYROPHENICIAN WOMAN, #1
INTRODUCTION
As Aquila and Priscilla did with Apollos, Jesus had just “expounded” to His disciples “the way of the Lord more perfectly” (Acts 18:26). Now, because He operated in strict accord with the Father’s agenda, He goes to another place to do another work. His teaching and His works combined to make known the will of the Lord and the nature of the coming day of salvation. It is becoming increasingly apparent that Jesus did not allow any individual or group of individuals to monopolize His attention. While He came to “minister” to the people (Matt 20:28), He did not allow them to set the agenda for that ministry. There were occasions when He would send the multitudes away while He departed to a mountain to pray: “And when He had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray” (Mk 6:46). There were other times when He sent them away in order that He might go to another place: “ . . .and He sent them away. And straightway He entered into a ship with His disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha” (Mk 8:9-10). We have made considerable progress when we perceive and receive the fact that Jesus does not bend His activities around our circumstances. For that reason, we are at our best when we have an understanding of the “good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God” (Rom 12:2). We must have faith to see that we are more greatly blessed when we are consciously and willingly in the center of that will.
HE COULD NOT BE HID
“ Mk 7:24 And from thence He arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but He could not be hid.”
FROM THENCE HE AROSE. Jesus had been in “the land of Gennesaret” (Mk 6:53). This was a small region, or district, on the Western shore of the Sea of Galilee. It was distinguished for its beauty and fertility, being about four miles long and three miles wide. However, its external beauty and fertility were not enough to keep Jesus there. Just as surely as Jesus was “led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil” (Matt 4:1), so Divine prompting and His perception of the purpose of God dictated where He went. He perfectly lived out what He taught men to pray: “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matt 6:10). His “meat,” or nourishment, was do “do the will of Him that sent” Him (John 4:34). He confessed, “For I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me” (John 6:38). When it comes to His works – what He did and where He went – He clearly affirmed, “The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He seeth the Father do: for what things soever He doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise” (John 5:19).
In this, Jesus set the tone for all of life. Life is not to be lived for self, but unto, or toward, the One who has redeemed us. “And that He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again” (2 Cor 5:15). This runs counter to all worldly perspective. Further, sin renders a person incapable of seeing this, for there is no sin that can be committed, whether great or small, that is not driven by the conclusion that the most important person in all of the world is “me.” Jesus refused to think in this way, and He can empower us to also avoid being misdirected into our own fleshly desires, ambitions, and purposes – even though some of them appear to be rather dignified.
THE BORDERS OF TYRE AND SIDON. Matthew says He came “into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon” (Matt 15:21) – not necssarily “coasts” as in sea-coats, but as in borders or outward boundaries. Early in Mark, we were told that some people from Tyre and Sidon came to Jesus when He had withdrawn “with His disciples to the sea” (Mk 3:8). Luke declares that these were “sea coast” towns (Lk 6:17). The book of Acts tells us that wicked king Herod was “highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon” (Acts 12:20).
This was a Gentile area – Syro-Phoenicia, or the northern portion of Phoenicia, a country on the coast of Syria. Jesus did not enter into these cities, but came to their “borders.” Originally, “Tyre” and “Sidon” (Zidon) were given to the tribe of Asher. Tyre was described as a “strong city” (Josh 19:24-29). In ancient times Sidon served the gods Baalim and Ashtaroth (Judges 10:6). Because of their wickedness, Jeremiah spoke of God cutting off “every helper” from Tyre and Sidon. God brought Nebuchadnezzar against Tyre who devastated their city slaughtering their daughters and clearing it off like the “top of a rock” (Ezek 26:7-14). Jesus once upbraided Chorazin and Bethsaida saying, “Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes” (Matt 11:21).
Now Jesus comes into the borders of these cities. He does not come to preach to the cities themselves, but to bring grace to one of their inhabitants. Here is a marvelous example of the works of the Father and of the precision with which they are carried out.
HE ENTERED INTO AN HOUSE. The identity of this house is not given. However, it is clear that someone from that area was amiable, receiving the Lord into their house. I gather that in the ultimate sense, what Jesus had instructed the disciples to do when He sent them out, was also done here. “And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you” (Matt 10:11-13). This, then, must have been a “worthy” house that realized the peace of Christ because of the hospitality of the owner.
WOULD HAVE NO MAN KNOW IT. “ . . . and wanted no one to know it.” NKJV There are times when the general knowledge of Jesus is not desired. Such times, when He withdrew Himself, were not frequent. However, there were times when the Lord’s work was focused, and was not intended for those with only nominal interest.
HE COULD NOT BE HID. It was not possible for Jesus to keep His presence secret – and He still cannot do so. There is such greatness and uniqueness in the Lord that He demands attention. If the light of His disciples cannot be hidden (Matt 5:14), you may be sure that the “Light of the world” Himself cannot be concealed. This is owing to the contrast of Divine influence with that of the flesh. The light of Jesus shined so brightly that all other lights paled in comparison, thus drawing the attention to Him. From yet another vantage point, this is the drawing power of the Son (John 12:32). The failure of the professed church to declare and expound the Christ of God is a significant reason for men’s failure to seek Him.
A CERTAIN WOMAN WITH A YOUNG DAUGHTER
“ 25 For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of Him, and came and fell at His feet.”
A CERTAIN WOMAN. This woman is the reason Jesus came into this area, and as soon as He has blessed her, He will depart from that place (Mk 7:31). How often specific individuals are singled out in the record God has given of His Son. A “certain scribe” said he would follow Jesus anywhere He went (Matt 8:19). A “certain ruler,” Jairus by name, petitioned Jesus concerning his daughter (Matt 9:18). A “certain man” pled with Jesus concerning his son (Matt 17:14). A “certain woman” with an issue of blood came in faith to Him (Mk 5:25). A “certain poor widow” cast “two mites” into the Temple treasury (Mk 12:42). A “certain centurion” besought Jesus in behalf of his servant (Lk 7:2). A “certain ruler” asked Jesus about eternal life (Lk 18:18). A “certain blind man,” Bartimaeus by name, called out for Jesus to have mercy upon him (Lk 18:35). A “certain nobleman” besought Jesus to come down and heal his son (John 4:46).
There is one thing all of these people had in common: they came to Jesus. Whether a scribe, a ruler, a father, a widow, a blind man, a nobleman, or, as in this text, a mother, they became “certain” persons when they approached Jesus. They at once rose above their peers, the eyes of the Lord were upon them, and His ears open to their cry.
The true identity of a person is determined by their spiritual posture. Their quest for the Lord is what truly distinguishes them. When, for example, Paul affirmed his determination to “know” Christ, “win” Christ, be “found in Him” with a righteousness from God, and experience the “power of His resurrection” and the “fellowship of His sufferings,” he became “a certain man.” Those who are honored by God are not signalized by their gender, nationality, education, or natural gifts and abilities. Such people are not written in God’s “book of remembrance” (Mal 3:16). In a day that is marked by religious superfluousness, this is an especially important observation. Precious few are known in the average church for their insatiable appetite for Christ and the things of God. Those who lack this distinction are, in a very real sense, nobodies – lost in the troubled sea of humanity.
WHOSE DAUGHTER HAD AN UNCLEAN SPIRIT. Mark says the girl was a “young daughter.” Another version read “little daughter.” NIV The same word is used of Jairus’ daughter, whom, we are told, was twelve years of age (Mk 5:23,42).
Unclean spirits contaminated the individual, rendering them unfit to be in public, whether by disease, deformity, or some other means. Grown men have been known to be dominated by such spirits (Mk 1:23). The wild man who lived among the tombs also had such an unclean spirit (Mk 5:2,8). One man’s son had an “unclean spirit” who caused the boy to jump in fire and water, and even fall on the ground foaming at the mouth (Matt 17:15; Lk 9:39,42).
HEARD OF HIM. This is the reason Jesus could not be hid: “ . . . but He could not be hid. For a certain woman . . . ” (Mark 7:24-25). Jesus had come within the proximity of this woman. He will not come directly to her, as He did to the Gadarene demoniac (Matt 8:28). Instead He will come to her area like the sun rises to illuminate a certain domain.
Two factors will become prominent. First, the reputation of Jesus will be connected to His Person. Second, a certain drawing power will be exerted by this accurate report. Enough cannot be said about the church presenting a proper picture of the Lord Jesus. There is no effective drawing power in the chronicling of “another Jesus” (2 Cor 11:4). I am persuaded that professed “Christian” people continually seek help from unlawful sources because, all too often, they have not heard of the real Jesus.
Now, in this day of salvation, the proper presentation of Jesus is found in the “Gospel of Christ” (Rom 1:16), or the “record God has given of His Son” (1 John 5:10-11). That record is to men today what the outward visitations of Jesus of Nazareth were to the people while He walked among men in the “likeness of sinful flesh” (John 1:14; Rom 8:3). Where that Gospel is preached, those with honest and good hearts will be drawn to Christ. Where that Gospel is not preached, that drawing will not occur, but men will remain in darkness.
FELL AT HIS FEET. The pretentious culture of our day, with all of its equal rights and freedom of speech, has robbed men of a sense of awe in the presence of the Lord. Falling at Jesus feet reveals a recognition of who He is, and a humble submission to Him. Jairus “fell at His feet” (Mk 5:22). The one leper among ten who were healed returned and “fell down on his face at His feet” (Lk 17:16). Following the death of Lazarus, when Mary went out to met Jesus, she “fell down at His feet” (John 11:32). When Jesus was transfigured, and a voice from heaven told them “Hear Him!” the disciples “fell on their face” (Matt 17:6). The woman healed of the issue of blood “fell down before Him” (Mk 5:33). When Simon Peter realized the Person of Christ He “fell down at Jesus’ knees” (Lk 5:8). Paul said a person who entered an assembly where the presence of the Lord was obvious (through prophecy), would “fall down on his face” (1 Cor 14:25). The absence of this kind of spirit betrays an inexcusable level of spiritual ignorance.
A FERVENT PLEA
“ 26 The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought Him that He would cast forth the devil out of her daughter.”
THE WOMAN. The woman was “a Greek.” This word was used as a synonym for Gentile. In Christ, there is said to be “neither Jew nor Greek” (Gal 3:28; Col 3:11). The Gospel is God’s “power unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Rom 1:16). So far as heaven is concerned, “there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek” (Rom 10:12). This views the woman from the standpoint of language, for under the leadership of Alexander the Great, the whole world had been brought to speak Greek. The Hebrews, on the other hand, had their own language – one of the means by which they were separated from the rest of the world. Their speech is referred to as “the Jews’ language” (2 Kgs 18:26,28; Neh 13:24; Isa 36:11,13).
She was also “a Syrophenician by nation” – i.e., of the Syrian nation. This refers to her birth, or family lineage – “of the Syrophoenician race.” NIV This views the woman from the standpoint of ethnicity, when the customs, language, and social views of a group of people are maintained. She was not from the promised land, and did not maintain its customs.
Matthew says she was “a woman of Canaan” (Matt 15:22). This was a “Canaanite woman” NASB She was of the offspring of “Canaan,” son of Ham who was cursed by Noah (Gen 9:25). Nations springing from Canaan include Jebusite, Amorite, Girgasite, Hivite – all of which were among the nations expelled from the land of Canaan (Deut 7:1).
Therefore, from the standpoint of language, ethnicity, and lineage, this woman was under a curse, and excluded from the promises of God. Yet, when she heard of Jesus, all of this was swallowed up by hope, and she pressed in to the Master.
SHE BESOUGHT HIM. Other versions read she “kept asking,” NKJV “begged,” NASB “made a request,” BBE and “kept begging Him.” AMPLIFIED Matthew says she “cried unto Him,” or “started shouting” NRSV (Matt 15:22).
There are several things to be seen here. First there was a strong request, entreaty, or begging – “besought.” Second, there was perseverance, or not fainting – “kept asking,” “kept begging.” Third there was fervency – “started shouting.” She marshaled all of her natural powers, both of mind and body, in her quest. She sought the Lord with all of her “strength.”
Matthew tells us more of what she actually said. “O Lord, Thou Son of David” (Matt 15:22). This was not a Jew, but a Canaanite. Yet, because of the proclamation of the Jews, particularly those who had been exposed to Jesus, she had obtained a proper view of Him. She referred to Him as “Lord” – Supreme in authority, Controller, Master. When a person calls Jesus “Lord,” there is an inference that the person himself belongs to Jesus, and that He can do with the person whatever He wills. This Gentile woman saw Jesus of Nazareth as the Possessor and Distributor of all things – the Sovereign Owner of all.
In the Gospels alone, Jesus is referred to as “Lord” over 240 times. Approaching the Savior as “Lord” is quite different from coming to Him with words like, “If you are real, show Yourself to me.” In my judgment, one of the sure evidences of spiritual retrogression is common and demeaning views of the Lord Jesus – when He is made more earthy than Divine, and is set forth as more from earth than from heaven.
The woman, though a Gentile, referred to Jesus as “Thou Son of David” (Matt 15:22). This was a purely Jewish view of the Messiah, and yet they had so declared this truth that those familiar with them knew certain things about the Messiah – namely that He was of the kingly lineage of David – a Jewish king. It ought to be noted that proper views of Jesus add great weight to our supplications.
THAT HE WOULD CAST FORTH THE DEVIL. The woman “kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter.” NKJV Matthew points out that she identified her daughter’s difficulty: “My daughter is grievously vexed with a devil,” or suffering terribly from demon-possession,” NASB or “tormented by a demon”(Matt 15:22). How did the woman know it was a demon? In all of the Old Covenant Scriptures, for example, there are four references to “devils,” or “demons” (Lev 17:7; Deut 32:17; 2 Chron 11:15; Psa 106:37). Yet, during the ministry of Jesus people had apparently become acutely aware of this world of wicked spirits – a domain of evil spirits that has no regard for humanity, but seeks to wreak havoc among and upon both young and old.
Here is an example of intercession. Apparently the daughter could not speak for herself, so her mother spoke for her. Note that the demon could not stop the mother from coming to Jesus or pleading her case. She was an effective intercessor because she had an awareness of the real problem. She also had an understanding of the identity of the real Lord. She was also convinced that He could be favorable touched concerning the need of her daughter.
This account should encourage us to be faithful in making “intercessions” (1 Tim 2:1), asking for life for the fallen (1 John 5:16), and converting sinners from the error of their way (James 5:20). We should also be encouraged to stand in the gap for the fallen (Ezek 22:30).