Biblical explanation
The woman was a Canaanite whose daughter was severely demon-possessed. She cried: “Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David” (). At first Jesus did not answer her. Then He said: “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (). When she continued pleading, Jesus said: “It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs” (). She responded: “Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table” (). Jesus then praised her: “O woman, great is thy faith” (). Mark's account uses the diminutive form associated with household dogs rather than wild dogs. . The encounter exposed the woman's faith and ultimately resulted in her daughter's healing. It also illustrates that although Jesus' earthly ministry had a particular initial focus on Israel, God's mercy was not limited to Israelites. The woman's faith was accepted. Jesus was not teaching that Canaanites were inherently inferior or that Gentiles were beyond God's mercy. The narrative ends with Jesus commending a Gentile woman's faith and granting her request.
In brief
The woman was a Canaanite whose daughter was severely demon-possessed.
Bible references
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