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Jesus’ visit to the gentile region of Tyre and Sidon (Matt. 15:21–28; Mark 7:24–30) was a journey of great significance in God’s redemptive purposes. It was rare for a prophet to leave Israel voluntarily. Now Christ—Prophet, Priest, and King—was making His way among the nations.
The journey took place without announcement or fanfare. Indeed, Jesus wanted to keep His identity concealed, but a woman from the area recognized Him. We are not told how she identified Him, but Jesus’ desire to keep a low profile adds to the contrast between this woman’s faith and the unbelieving Pharisees and scribes in the preceding passages (Matt. 15:1–20; Mark 7:1–23). She believed while He kept His identity hidden; they traveled far from Jerusalem to argue with Jesus while He was teaching openly in public. The Pharisees and scribes rejected Jesus, but this woman called Him “Lord” and by a messianic title, “Son of David.”
Jesus’ response to the woman’s request is unexpected, given her understanding of who He is. She asked Him to deliver her daughter from an unclean spirit, but He “did not answer her a word.”
Jesus could have healed her daughter immediately; instead, a series of tests follows. First, Jesus is tested by His disciples, who beg Him to send her away. He responded with a test for His audience. He did not agree directly to His disciples’ request, but His response—“I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel”—did not suggest agreement with the woman’s request either. The woman made a second appeal for help, but the Lord tested her again, for His reply might have been heard as a rejection: “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”
Jesus’ actions precede the woman’s remarkable response: “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Her reply is an outstanding example of Christian faith that teaches us what it means to humbly follow Christ. For the sake of her daughter, she asked much from Christ. But equally, if her lot was to be little and her place lowly before Him, she would gladly accept His provision. Jesus highly commended her, saying, “O woman, great is your faith!” and rewarded her by granting her original request: “Her daughter was healed instantly.”
This meeting anticipates Christ’s ministry among the nations after His resurrection and ascension. The woman’s experience will resonate with Christians who have found God’s responses to prayers difficult to receive. We learn from this woman’s Christian faith not to lose heart but to be humble before Him and to persevere with Him; if Christ is your sufficiency, rewards will come.
Through His avoidance of attention, silence, and hard sayings, Jesus set this woman’s faith before us. Her faith is an example to follow so that “the tested genuineness of your faith . . . may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7).