COMMENTARY ON MARK
LESSON NUMBER 81
“ Mark 7:27 But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs. 28 And she answered and said unto Him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs. 29 And e said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter. 30 And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.”
(Mark 7:27-30; Matthew 15:23-28)
THE SYROPHENICIAN WOMAN, #2
INTRODUCTION
From “the land of Gennesaret,” Jesus “went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon.” He will go there to do the Father’s will. It will not be to reach a country, or a city, but to reward the faith of one poor woman. She was not qualified by race, for she was “a Canaanite woman.” NASB She was not qualified by nation, for she was a “Greek, a Syrophenician by nation.” Yet, as we will find, faith rises above all disqualifications, marking out the individual for Divine blessing. No person with faith can be circumscribed, or delimited, by the flesh. Further, faith and flesh cannot mix, for where faith is found, flesh loses all of its power. It can only dominate where unbelief sits upon the throne of the heart. This account will also confirm to our hearts that faith is persistent, and not easily discouraged. It does not reason upon the basis of personal inabilities or disqualifications, as confirmed in Abraham, who, when promised a son in his old age, was “not weak in faith,” and “considered not his own body now dead . . . neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb” (Rom 4:19). In the case before us, however, we have an instance that differs from that of Abraham. Abraham had a word from God – this woman did not. Abraham reasoned upon a promise from God. This woman reasoned upon the kingly nature of the Lord (“Son of David”), and what she perceived to be His propensity to show mercy. We will also find in this text that Jesus will speak so as to discover the faith of the individual. That is what the Lord is looking for now, just as surely as when He returns (Lk 18:8). The presence of faith justifies the bestowment of grace upon the individual.
LET THE CHILDREN FIRST BE FED
“ Mk 7:27 But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.”
HE ANSWERED HER NOT A WORD. Matthew says that Jesus did not answer the repeated petitions of the woman: “But He answered her not a word.” On the surface it appeared as though He was ignoring her, apparently not even acknowledging that He was aware of her. However, we know from the sequence of events that followed that this was not the case. This is an aspect of the Divine nature with which we do well to acquaint ourselves. We are living in a society that moves people to demand attention, and disdain those who do not run to its beck and call. Jesus, however, will not structure His activities around any individual. He is driven by a higher agenda.
Matthew also records, “And His disciples came and besought Him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us” (Matt 15:23). The woman proved to be an aggravation to the disciples. Yet, they did not take it upon themselves to tell the woman to leave. Even in their undeveloped spiritual condition, they knew Jesus was the Master, not themselves.
Our Lord’s reply to the disciples is interesting: “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matt 15:24). Note, not the “sheep of Israel,” but the “LOST sheep of the house of Israel.” This emphasizes that Jesus did not come to satisfy Israel’s desire, but to meet their Divinely stated need. In this saying He reveals that “Send her away” actually meant, “answer her petition so we can get on our way.” Jesus replies that this would violate the general direction of His ministry. When He entered the world, He was coming to “His own”– the Jews (John 1:11). In keeping with His commission, Jesus had told His disciples, “But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matt 10:6). He was a “Child” born to them, and a “Son” given to them (Isa 9:6). Even after God raised Jesus from the dead, He was first declared to Israel, to bless them (Acts 3:25-26).
Strictly speaking, this did not reflect a thorough view of Christ’s ministry, but rather its initial focus. Later in His ministry He will acknowledge, “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd” (John 10:16). In a sense, this woman’s plea was untimely, yet it was in keeping with the Divine nature. She, like David, was ahead of her time.
BUT JESUS SAID UNTO HER. Now, for the first time, Jesus addresses the woman. Matthew tells us of an additional action of the woman that preceded this reply. “Then came she and worshiped Him, saying, Lord, help me” (Matt 15:25). It is this circumstance that prompted our Lord’s response, and a gentle one it was!
LET THE CHILDREN FIRST BE FILLED. It is as though the table of mercy had been spread, but it was for “the Jew first.” (Rom 1:16). Let them eat and be filled first – then she could share in what was left. It is not that there was not enough mercy to go around. The Lord is “abundant in mercy” (Num 14:18; Psa 86:5,15). Jesus is speaking of the technical priority of the house of Israel. They are the ones to whom the promises were given (Rom 9:4), and they are the ones to whom Jesus was first ministering.
IT IS NOT MEET. Other versions read “it is not good,” NKJV “it is not right,” NASB “it is not fair,” NRSV “it is not becoming,” MRD and “not becoming, proper, or right.” AMPLIFIED Now Jesus speaks from the legal and strictly righteous point of view. If the woman approaches Him upon the basis of what is right and fair, then her petition is not reasonable. Her need, as great as it may be, cannot vault her into a more prominent position than the Jews. Either there must be a higher principle to which she must appeal, or her petition will not be granted.
“THE DOGS.” The word translated “dogs” means “little house dogs,” AMPLIFIED not the ravenous dogs of Jeremiah that “tear” and jeopardized the people (Jer 15:3). These are not the “dogs” of the wicked who compassed David, threatening his life (Psa 22:16). Jesus was saying, “You do not take food that was prepared for the people of the house, and give it to the “house pets.” These were “dogs” that were in the house, but they were not of the house. They lived in proximity of the household, but were not themselves integral members of it.
There is an approach to religion that looks for what technically can or cannot be done. Thus people will say, “I do not see anything wrong with that,” or “The Bible doesn’t say we cannot do this, or absolutely must do that.” This is not, however, a good way of thinking – particularly in this “day of salvation,” when the “Sun of righteousness” has risen with “healing in His wings” (Mal 4:2). That would be like asking Jesus if “seven times” was the appointed limit placed on the times a “brother” could be forgiven. Jesus replied that if a person wanted to think in such terms “490" would be the proper number – “seventy times seven” Matt 18:22-23).
On such grounds, by the Savior’s own words, it was not appropriate to extend unusual mercy to this Gentile woman. In saying this, Jesus is testing the faith of this Canaanite. How much does she really see of Him, and how persuaded is she that He is a Rewarder?
YET THE DOGS EAT THE CRUMBS
“ 28 And she answered and said unto Him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs.”
SHE ANSWERED. Faith brings great boldness and confidence to the one having it. It is one thing for the Lord to say, “Come now, and let us reason together” (Isa 1:18). It is quite another thing to actually engage in reasoning with the Lord.
Job once said of such reasoning, “How much less shall I answer Him, and choose out my words to reason with Him?” (Job 9:14). Later he said that he desired “to reason with God” (Job 13:3). Yet, when actually given a chance to do so he said to the Lord, “Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer Thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth” (Job 40:4). The presence of the Lord is, indeed, intimidating to anyone and anything but a robust faith!
When Abraham began to reason with God concerning sparing any righteous people in Sodom and Gomorrah, he humbly said, “Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes” (Gen 18:27). When addressing a petition to the Lord Ezra said, “O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to Thee, my God” (Ezra 9:6). When Isaiah stood before the Lord he said, “Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips” (Isa 6:5).
When the Lord admonishes His people “Take with you words, and turn to the Lord” (Hos 14:2), the manner in which the Lord is addressed is intended as well as petitions that are set before Him. Some indication ought to be given of one’s persuasion that what God has said – particularly about people – is true. No person can afford to come before the living God with a major misconception of His being and will. You may remember that one servant was cut off because he has wrongly perceived the nature of the Master (Lk 19:21-22). The Psalmist reminds us that God will reprove the person who imagines that God is like himself (Psa 50:21). Such perceptions are lost when people are swept up in a departure from the faith.
Now, how will this Gentile woman respond to the Lord? How will she address Him, and what will she say? Her words will declare the kind of person she is and what she has seen.
YES LORD! Other versions read “Truth, Lord,” GENEVA “Yes, my Lord,” MRD “That’s true, Lord,” NLT “even so, Lord,” PNT and “even so, Master.” TNT Matthew reads, “And she said, Truth, Lord!” (Matt 15:27a). That is equivalent to Eli’s response when he heard of the impending judgment against his wayward sons, “It is the LORD: let Him do what seemeth Him good” (1 Sam 3:18). It has the spirit of Hezekiah’s response to the Lord’s word about coming tumult: “Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken” (Isa 39:8).
This woman does not reply with “Why?” She finds no fault with the Divine arrangement. Nor, indeed, does she shrink back in unbelief as though the Lord’s words shut her up to a state of hopelessness. In her we see that faith will find a way of blending what the Lord says with who the Lord is – for that blessed harmony surely exists. Those who insist upon thinking on the surface or within the parameters of rules, are not able to think in this manner.
EATING THE CHILDREN’S CRUMBS. The woman recognizes that every aspect of the bread belongs to the children – even the crumbs, or small morsels of leftovers – “the children’s crumbs.” She does not claim that any of the benefits actually belong to her. Yet, she also knows that “children” allow their little house dogs to be “under the table.” Matthew reads, “ yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table” (Matt 15:27). That is, it is not that the householder handed the “dogs” some morsels. Rather, they were crumbs that fell from the table. The Amplified Version suggests that they actually fell from the table of the younger ones: “the crumbs that fall from their [young] master’s table.”
This woman does not approach Jesus as a “daughter of Abraham” (Lk 13:16). She claims no right to the richness of the Master’s table, but classes herself with the “dogs,” who subsisted on things that were not actually prepared especially for them.
This woman also perceived the smallness of what she asked in comparison to what the Lord could do. Her request did not require an epochal work, but only some “crumbs” of mercy. She asked for nothing more than a relatively small benefit while Jesus was ministering to others. For her, the work was great. For Jesus it was small – only some “crumbs” from the main meal. She does not ask for a special meal, but just a portion of what Jesus was already serving to the children – the “house of Israel.” She had no doubt heard of His great works in Galilee, the land of Genessaret, the shores of the Sea of Galilee, Jerusalem, Capernaum, and Bethsaida. Multitudes were healed. Multitudes were fed. But she is willing to settle for what is left over, without in any way distracting the Lord from His primary mission.
Little did this woman know that Jesus had, in fact, come into the border or Tyre and Sidon especially for her sake. She had no idea that He had left another area to seek and find her. But, that is the way faith is. It does not view the Lord has bending His purpose and work around the individual. Divine workings are rather perceived as tokens of mercy and grace.
BLESSED BECAUSE OF A SAYING
“ 29 And He said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter. 30 And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.”
FOR THIS SAYING. When we reason with the Lord, how important are our words? Are we just to depend upon God deciphering our clumsy expressions, glibly passing off our petition by saying, “Lord, you know what I mean?” Indeed, this is not the case at all. Our words are to be considered and measured when we come before the God of heaven. Solomon said, “Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few” (Eccl 5:2).
In the case before us, the woman from Canaan has spoken in strict harmony with the mind and purpose of the Lord. She saw things as they really were, and precisely uttered them. Now Jesus says to her, “For this SAYING, go thy way!” Other versions read, “such a reply,” NASB “this answer,” NIV “this word,” DARBY “this statement,” ESV “this speech,” MRD and “Because you have answered so well.” NLT That is, because of her response to Jesus’ statement about it not being appropriate to give the children’s bread to dogs.
Normally, it was the word of Christ Himself that constrained demons to leave those whom they possessed (Matt 8:16; 17:18; Mk 9:25). Here, however, the departure of the demon is credited to the woman: “For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.” Among other things, this confirms that the “powers of darkness” yield to the truth of God.
In recent years it has become popular for certain national evangelists to distort a Solomonic proverb: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Prov 18:21). It is taught that certain words cause certain things to happen because of an inexorable law. No matter who says the words, they have power. Our text confirms this is not the case. Words without faith have not one speck of power, and there is no purported law that can impart power to faithless words.
GREAT IS THY FAITH. Matthew’s record of this event emphasizes that faith is what moved the woman to say the words, and her faith made them effective, not the mere words themselves. Matthew reads, “O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt” (Matt 15:28a). Jesus gave her the desires of her heart (“even as thou wilt”). This was in strict accord with the promise, “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart” (Psa 37:4). It is a great day when your faith matches your desires. This is a wonderful benefit, particularly of the New Covenant, that few seem to realize.
The greatness of this woman’s faith revealed her perception of Christ’s person and power. She was not mimicking what others had said, but had seen the truth herself. She had also seen that even a morsel of truth has liberating power. That power, though derived from what appeared to be but a remnant of a fuller word, had satisfying and effectual power.
Her faith was also able to associate the power of Christ with her own need – a daughter that was afflicted by a harassing demon. Before a person can receive great blessing from Christ, religion must be removed from the philosophical domain. Men must cease to speculate about what can or cannot be done, and become “strong in faith, giving glory to God”(Rom 4:20).
THE DEMON HAS LEFT. Jesus said, “the devil IS gone out of thy daughter.” The daughter was not there, so her mother must receive this word by faith. However, the faith that can perceive Divine potential can also take hold of it in the present. If ever faith can “come” to the individual (Rom 10:17; Gal 3:25), it brings a very thorough blessing. It can see what HAS been done, as well as what CAN be done. Matthew reads, “And her daughter was made whole from that very hour” (Matt 15:28b).
SHE FOUND THE DEMON GONE. “And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed” (Mark 7:30). Faith kept this woman on the way back to her house, for faith does not vacillate. One version suggests that the demon threw the child down on his way out of her: “And she went home and found the child thrown on the couch, and the demon departed.” AMPLIFIED The word translated “lying” does mean “to cast down or throw down.” It should not surprise us that a demon would do this. Once, when Jesus cast a demon out of a young boy, the demon “convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, ‘He is dead’” NKJV (Mark 9:26). Another time, when Jesus cast a demon out of a man in the local synagogue, it is written, “And when the demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and did not hurt him” (Luke 4:35). This was not always the case. However, there were times when the demons made a final effort to destroy their victims, yet were powerless to do so. It was no different with the daughter of this woman.
Just as surely as Lazarus was raised from the dead, retaining his grave clothes (John 11:44), and a young boy was dispossessed of a demon yet appeared dead (Mk 9:26), so this young girl had been delivered from demon possession, but remained lying on her bed. However, none of those cases remained that way. They were fully liberated. Satan does not always easily release his victims.