Syrophenician Woman
Introduction: This is an interesting account because Jesus went into a territory that was not part of Israel, and he answered the request of a Gentile woman made by faith in behalf of her daughter. This study looks at the parallel passages in Matthew and Mark. Some background about Tyre and Sidon can add to the significance of this account. Between the Old and the New Testaments, Zidon and Sidon designate the same place.
NOTE: Scripture passages are from the American King James Bible.
A — Tyre and Sidon in the Old Testament
1 Kings 17 “8 And the word of the LORD came to him, saying, 9 Arise, get you to Zarephath, which belongs to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain you. 22 And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived. 24 And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is truth.”
Comments: From the time of King David there were some in Tyre and Sidon who had very high respect for the God of Israel. King Huram of Tyre sent one of the key craftsmen for construction of the temple Solomon built for the LORD. Much later, Elijah stayed with a widow in the territory of Sidon during the reign of Ahab in Israel, and he had very strong influence on the widow who the LORD had arranged to provide his lodging. In both of those passages the Gentiles used the name Yahweh (LORD) to make a clear reference to the God of Israel. Centuries later, materials for rebuilding the temple were once again provided from Tyre and Sidon, making those people very aware of the temple of the LORD.
B — Tyre and Sidon in the New Testament
Mark 3 “8 And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came to him.”
Comments: Tyre and Sidon were ancient cities about 25 miles apart in the area known as Phoenicia — very significant centers of commerce and art. During the earthly ministry of Jesus, there was still much interchange between those territories and that of Israel. Though Jesus performed many miraculous signs in Israel for over three years, most of the Jews failed to believe that he was the promised Messiah. The passage from Mark reveals that people from Tyre and Sidon were among the crowds who sought after him. Later passages in Acts show that Paul met with believers in Christ Jesus at Tyre and was permitted to greet believers at Sidon as well, showing changed hearts among people in those areas.
C — Jesus Went into the Territory of Tyre and Sidon
Matthew 15 “21 Then Jesus went there, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried to him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, you son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. 23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and sought him, saying, Send her away; for she cries after us.”
Mark 7 “24 And from there 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.”
Comments: Jesus had been preaching to large crowds in the district of Galilee before he traveled west to the territory of Tyre and Sidon. Based on the phrase “would have no man know it” it may have been that Jesus was seeking some time away from the crowds. The woman called Jesus Lord, and son of David. These two designations seemed to have special significance to her. Mark’s record states that she fell at his feet — a sign of deference or homage by a servant to a master. Jesus at first did not answer the woman, and his disciples asked him to send her away.
D — The Gentile Woman Was Persistent with Her Plea
Matthew 15 “24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. 26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. 27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. 28 Then Jesus answered and said to her, O woman, great is your faith: be it to you even as you will. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.”
Comments: When Jesus told the woman he had been sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, the woman showed further homage as she took a position of profound reverence and addressed him as Lord as she asked him to help her. The next comment from Jesus seems harsh as he told her that it was not right to give the children’s bread to dogs. The woman then showed extreme humility and even wisdom, to admit that she had no merit in herself for her request. When she said even the dogs get the children’s crumbs that fall from the table, there was no inhibition from pride that kept her from accepting the characterization as a dog. She did not want equality with the children, and showed respect for Jesus as the master at the table. Jesus told the woman she had remarkable faith, and that her request was granted.
Reflections in Prayer
I thank you, LORD, that your Word is so powerful that the evidence of faith in you by the believers in Israel had influence on Gentiles even before you walked among men as the son of man and the Son of God. Though the people of Israel had much advantage with scripture and tradition for their guidance, many of them lost sight of the simple exercise of faith that you desire to come from the heart of those who trust you completely. May I keep in my mind and heart the example of the humility this woman demonstrated as she made a request by faith, believing that you had the power to fulfill it, and the mercy to grant it to her. Help me, LORD, to bring requests to you with a concern for others, and to return praise each time you answer. I praise you my LORD and master that your abundant grace and mercy reached beyond Israel to allow me to come into the Kingdom of God by faith. Hallelujah, Amen.
Published 12 April 2014