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Selected Verse: Matthew 15:21 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Mt 15:21	Strong Concordance	Then [2532] Jesus [2424] went [1831] thence [1564], and departed [402] into [1519] the coasts [3313] of Tyre [5184] and [2532] Sidon [4605].
	King James	Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.

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Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
This narrative is also found in Mar 7:24-30. The coasts of Tyre and Sidon - These cities were on the seacoast or shore of the Mediterranean. See the notes at Mat 11:21. Jesus went there for the purpose of concealment Mar 7:24, perhaps still to avoid Herod. Mat 15:22 A woman of Canaan - This woman is called, also, a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by birth, Mar 7:26 In ancient times, the whole land, including Tyre and Sidon, was in the possession of the Canaanites, and called Canaan. The Phoenicians were descended from the Canaanites. The country, including Tyre and Sidon, was called Phoenicia, or Syro-Phoenicia. That country was taken by the Greeks under Alexander the Great, and those cities, in the time of Christ, were Greek cities. This woman was therefore a Gentile, living under the Greek government, and probably speaking the Greek language. She was by birth a Syro-Phoenician, born in that country, and descended, therefore, from the ancient Canaanites. All these names might, with propriety, be given to her. Coasts - Regions or countries. Thou son of David - Descendant of David. See the notes at Mat 1:1. The phrase here means the Messiah. Is grievously vexed with a devil - See the notes at Mat 4:24. The woman showed great earnestness. She cried unto him, and fell at his feet, Mar 7:25. Mat 15:23 But he answered her not a word - This was done to test her faith, and that there might be exhibited to the apostles an example of the effect of persevering supplication. The result shows that it was not unwillingness to aid her, or neglect of her. It was proper that the strength of her faith should be fully tried. Mat 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent ... - This answer was made to the woman, not to the disciples. The "lost sheep of the house of Israel" were the Jews. He came first to them. He came as their expected Messiah. He came to preach the gospel himself to the Jews only. Afterward it was preached to the Gentiles, but the ministry of Jesus was confined almost entirely to the Jews. Mat 15:25 She came and worshipped - That is, bowed down to him or did him reverence. See the notes at Mat 8:2. Lord, help me! - A proper cry for a poor sinner, who needs the help of the Lord Jesus. Mat 15:26 But he answered and said, It is not meet ... - That is, it is not appropriate or proper. Children's bread - The Jews considered themselves as the special children of God. To all other nations they were accustomed to apply terms of contempt, of which dogs was the most common. The Muslims still apply the term "dogs" to Christians, and Christians and Jews to each other. The term is designed as an expression of the highest contempt. The Saviour means to say that he was sent to the Jews. The woman was a Gentile. He meant merely using a term in common use, and designed to test her faith in the strongest manner - that it did not comport with the design of his personal ministry to apply benefits intended for the Jews to others. Evidently he cannot be understood as intending to justify or sanction the use of such terms, or calling names. He meant to try her faith. As if he had said, "You are a Gentile; I am a Jew. The Jews call themselves children of God. You they vilify and abuse, calling you a dog. Are you willing to receive of a Jew, then, a favor? Are you willing to submit to these appellations to receive a favor of one of that nation, and to acknowledge your dependence on a people that so despise you?" It was, therefore, a trial of her faith, and was not a lending of his sanction to the propriety of the abusive term. He regarded her with a different feeling. Mat 15:27 And she said, Truth, Lord ... - What you say is true. Let it be that the best food should be given to the children - let the Jews have the chief benefit of thy ministry; but the dogs beneath the table eat the crumbs. So let me be regarded as a dog, a pagan, as unworthy of everything. Yet grant one exertion of that almighty power displayed so signally among the Jews, and heal the despised daughter of a despised heathen mother." Mat 15:28 Great is thy faith - That is, thy trust, confidence. The word here seems to include, also, the humility and perseverance manifested in pressing her suit. The daughter was healed then. Going home, she found her well and composed, Mar 7:30.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

This narrative is also found in Mar 7:24-30.

The coasts of Tyre and Sidon - These cities were on the seacoast or shore of the Mediterranean. See the notes at Mat 11:21. Jesus went there for the purpose of concealment Mar 7:24, perhaps still to avoid Herod.

Mat 15:22

A woman of Canaan - This woman is called, also, a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by birth, Mar 7:26

In ancient times, the whole land, including Tyre and Sidon, was in the possession of the Canaanites, and called Canaan. The Phoenicians were descended from the Canaanites. The country, including Tyre and Sidon, was called Phoenicia, or Syro-Phoenicia. That country was taken by the Greeks under Alexander the Great, and those cities, in the time of Christ, were Greek cities. This woman was therefore a Gentile, living under the Greek government, and probably speaking the Greek language. She was by birth a Syro-Phoenician, born in that country, and descended, therefore, from the ancient Canaanites. All these names might, with propriety, be given to her.

Coasts - Regions or countries.

Thou son of David - Descendant of David. See the notes at Mat 1:1. The phrase here means the Messiah.

Is grievously vexed with a devil - See the notes at Mat 4:24. The woman showed great earnestness. She cried unto him, and fell at his feet, Mar 7:25.

Mat 15:23

But he answered her not a word - This was done to test her faith, and that there might be exhibited to the apostles an example of the effect of persevering supplication.

The result shows that it was not unwillingness to aid her, or neglect of her. It was proper that the strength of her faith should be fully tried.

Mat 15:24

But he answered and said, I am not sent ... - This answer was made to the woman, not to the disciples.

The "lost sheep of the house of Israel" were the Jews. He came first to them. He came as their expected Messiah. He came to preach the gospel himself to the Jews only. Afterward it was preached to the Gentiles, but the ministry of Jesus was confined almost entirely to the Jews.

Mat 15:25

She came and worshipped - That is, bowed down to him or did him reverence.

See the notes at Mat 8:2.

Lord, help me! - A proper cry for a poor sinner, who needs the help of the Lord Jesus.

Mat 15:26

But he answered and said, It is not meet ... - That is, it is not appropriate or proper.

Children's bread - The Jews considered themselves as the special children of God.

To all other nations they were accustomed to apply terms of contempt, of which dogs was the most common. The Muslims still apply the term "dogs" to Christians, and Christians and Jews to each other. The term is designed as an expression of the highest contempt. The Saviour means to say that he was sent to the Jews. The woman was a Gentile. He meant merely using a term in common use, and designed to test her faith in the strongest manner - that it did not comport with the design of his personal ministry to apply benefits intended for the Jews to others. Evidently he cannot be understood as intending to justify or sanction the use of such terms, or calling names. He meant to try her faith. As if he had said, "You are a Gentile; I am a Jew. The Jews call themselves children of God. You they vilify and abuse, calling you a dog. Are you willing to receive of a Jew, then, a favor? Are you willing to submit to these appellations to receive a favor of one of that nation, and to acknowledge your dependence on a people that so despise you?" It was, therefore, a trial of her faith, and was not a lending of his sanction to the propriety of the abusive term. He regarded her with a different feeling.

Mat 15:27

And she said, Truth, Lord ... - What you say is true.

Let it be that the best food should be given to the children - let the Jews have the chief benefit of thy ministry; but the dogs beneath the table eat the crumbs. So let me be regarded as a dog, a pagan, as unworthy of everything. Yet grant one exertion of that almighty power displayed so signally among the Jews, and heal the despised daughter of a despised heathen mother."

Mat 15:28

Great is thy faith - That is, thy trust, confidence.

The word here seems to include, also, the humility and perseverance manifested in pressing her suit. The daughter was healed then. Going home, she found her well and composed, Mar 7:30.

The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917]
departed The Syrophenician woman. For the first time, the rejected Son of David ministers to a Gentile. It is a precursive fulfilment of (Mat 12:18). Addressed by a Gentile as Son of David, He makes no reply, for a Gentile has no claim upon Him in that character. (See Scofield) - (Mat 2:2); (Eph 2:12). Addressing him as "Lord," she obtained an immediate answer. (Rom 10:12-13).

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Coasts (μέρη) Lit., and better, as Rev., parts.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Mar 7:24.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon - Εις τα μερη, towards the coasts or confines. It is not clear that our Lord ever left the land of the Hebrews; he was, as the apostle observes, Rom 15:8, the minister of the circumcision according to the truth of God. Tyre and Sidon are usually joined together, principally because they are but a few miles distant from each other.

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³⁰ And [2532] when she was come [565] to [1519] her [846] house [3624], she found [2147] the devil [1140] gone out [1831], and [2532] her daughter [2364] laid [906] upon [1909] the bed [2825].

²⁸ Then [5119] Jesus [2424] answered [611] and said [2036] unto her [846], O [5599] woman [1135], great [3173] is thy [4675] faith [4102]: be it [1096] unto thee [4671] even as [5613] thou wilt [2309]. And [2532] her [846] daughter [2364] was made whole [2390] from [575] that very [1565] hour [5610].

²⁷ And [1161] she said [2036], Truth [3483], Lord [2962]: yet [2532] [1063] the dogs [2952] eat [2068] of [575] the crumbs [5589] which [3588] fall [4098] from [575] their [846] masters [2962]' table [5132].

²⁶ But [1161] he answered [611] and said [2036], It is [2076] not [3756] meet [2570] to take [2983] the children's [5043] bread [740], and [2532] to cast [906] it to dogs [2952].

² And [2532], behold [2400], there came [2064] a leper [3015] and worshipped [4352] him [846], saying [3004], Lord [2962], if [1437] thou wilt [2309], thou canst [1410] make [2511] me [3165] clean [2511].

²⁵ Then [1161] came she [2064] and worshipped [4352] him [846], saying [3004], Lord [2962], help [997] me [3427].

²⁴ But [1161] he answered [611] and said [2036], I am [649] not [3756] sent [649] but [1508] unto [1519] the lost [622] sheep [4263] of the house [3624] of Israel [2474].

²³ But [1161] he answered [611] her [846] not [3756] a word [3056]. And [2532] his [846] disciples [3101] came [4334] and besought [2065] him [846], saying [3004], Send [630] her [846] away [630]; for [3754] she crieth [2896] after [3693] us [2257].

²⁵ For [1063] a certain woman [1135], whose [3739] [846] young daughter [2365] had [2192] an unclean [169] spirit [4151], heard [191] of [4012] him [846], and came [2064] and fell [4363] at [4314] his [846] feet [4228]:

²⁴ And [2532] his [846] fame [189] went [565] throughout [1519] all [3650] Syria [4947]: and [2532] they brought [4374] unto him [846] all [3956] sick [2560] people [2192] that were taken with [4912] divers [4164] diseases [3554] and [2532] torments [931], and [2532] those which were possessed with devils [1139], and [2532] those which were lunatick [4583], and [2532] those that had the palsy [3885]; and [2532] he healed [2323] them [846].

¹ The book [976] of the generation [1078] of Jesus [2424] Christ [5547], the son [5207] of David [1138], the son [5207] of Abraham [11].

²⁶ [1161] The woman [1135] was [2258] a Greek [1674], a Syrophenician [4949] by nation [1085]; and [2532] she besought [2065] him [846] that [2443] he would cast forth [1544] the devil [1140] out of [1537] her [846] daughter [2364].

²² And [2532], behold [2400], a woman [1135] of Canaan [5478] came [1831] out of [575] the same [1565] coasts [3725], and cried [2905] unto him [846], saying [3004], Have mercy [1653] on me [3165], O Lord [2962], thou Son [5207] of David [1138]; my [3450] daughter [2364] is grievously [2560] vexed with a devil [1139].

²¹ Woe [3759] unto thee [4671], Chorazin [5523]! woe [3759] unto thee [4671], Bethsaida [966]! for [3754] if [1487] the mighty works [1411], which [3588] were done [1096] in [1722] you [5213], had been done [1096] in [1722] Tyre [5184] and [2532] Sidon [4605], they would have repented [3340] long ago [302] [3819] in [1722] sackcloth [4526] and [2532] ashes [4700].

²⁴ And [2532] from thence [1564] he arose [450], and went [565] into [1519] the borders [3181] of Tyre [5184] and [2532] Sidon [4605], and [2532] entered [1525] into [1519] an house [3614], and would have [2309] no man [3762] know [1097] it: but [2532] he could [1410] not [3756] be hid [2990].
²⁵ For [1063] a certain woman [1135], whose [3739] [846] young daughter [2365] had [2192] an unclean [169] spirit [4151], heard [191] of [4012] him [846], and came [2064] and fell [4363] at [4314] his [846] feet [4228]:
²⁶ [1161] The woman [1135] was [2258] a Greek [1674], a Syrophenician [4949] by nation [1085]; and [2532] she besought [2065] him [846] that [2443] he would cast forth [1544] the devil [1140] out of [1537] her [846] daughter [2364].
²⁷ But [1161] Jesus [2424] said [2036] unto her [846], Let [863] the children [5043] first [4412] be filled [5526]: for [1063] it is [2076] not [3756] meet [2570] to take [2983] the children's [5043] bread [740], and [2532] to cast [906] it unto the dogs [2952].
²⁸ And [1161] she answered [611] and [2532] said [3004] unto him [846], Yes [3483], Lord [2962]: yet [2532] [1063] the dogs [2952] under [5270] the table [5132] eat [2068] of [575] the children's [3813] crumbs [5589].
²⁹ And [2532] he said [2036] unto her [846], For [1223] this [5126] saying [3056] go thy way [5217]; the devil [1140] is gone [1831] out of [1537] thy [4675] daughter [2364].
³⁰ And [2532] when she was come [565] to [1519] her [846] house [3624], she found [2147] the devil [1140] gone out [1831], and [2532] her daughter [2364] laid [906] upon [1909] the bed [2825].

¹² For [1063] there is [2076] no [3756] difference [1293] between [5037] the Jew [2453] and [2532] the Greek [1672]: for [1063] the same [846] Lord [2962] over all [3956] is rich [4147] unto [1519] all [3956] that call upon [1941] him [846].
¹³ For [3956] [1063] whosoever [3739] [302] shall call upon [1941] the name [3686] of the Lord [2962] shall be saved [4982].

¹² That [3754] at [1722] that [1565] time [2540] ye were [2258] without [5565] Christ [5547], being aliens [526] from the commonwealth [4174] of Israel [2474], and [2532] strangers [3581] from the covenants [1242] of promise [1860], having [2192] no [3361] hope [1680], and [2532] without God [112] in [1722] the world [2889]:

² Saying [3004], Where [4226] is [2076] he that is born [5088] King [935] of the Jews [2453]? for [1063] we have seen [1492] his [846] star [792] in [1722] the east [395], and [2532] are come [2064] to worship [4352] him [846].

¹⁸ Behold [2400] my [3450] servant [3816], whom [3739] I have chosen [140]; my [3450] beloved [27], in [1519] whom [3739] my [3450] soul [5590] is well pleased [2106]: I will put [5087] my [3450] spirit [4151] upon [1909] him [846], and [2532] he shall shew [518] judgment [2920] to the Gentiles [1484].

⁸ Now [1161] I say [3004] that Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] was [1096] a minister [1249] of the circumcision [4061] for [5228] the truth [225] of God [2316], to [1519] confirm [950] the promises [1860] made unto the fathers [3962]: