The Faith of the Canaanite Woman

MATTHEW 15:21-28

21 Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.
22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto Him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.
23 But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and besought Him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
24 But He answered and said, I am not sent but unto 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 unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.




"Thence" in Greek is "ἐκεῖθεν" and it means from that place

"Tyre" (or in Greek "Τύρος") is a Phoenician city on the Mediterranean, very ancient, large, splendid, flourishing in commerce, and powerful by land and sea

"Sidon" ("Σιδών" in Greek) is an ancient and wealthy city of Phoenicia, on the east coast of the Mediterranean Sea, less than 20 miles (30 km) north of Tyre

(A woman of) "Canaan" (Greek: "Χαναναῖος") means a Canaanite (the name of the ancient inhabitants of Palestine before its conquest by the Israelites, during the OT); or in Christ's time (the NT): a Phoenician

"Vexed with a devil" in Greek is "δαιμονίζομαι" and it means to be under the power of a demon

"Besought" (Greek: "ἐρωτάω") means to question, to ask, or to request, entreat, beg, or beseech

"Meet" (in Greek: "καλός") means beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable, also, good, excellent in its nature and characteristics, and therefore well adapted to its ends: genuine, approved, precious, joined to names of men designated by their office, competent, able, such as one ought to be, praiseworthy, noble, beautiful by reason of purity of heart and life, and hence praiseworthy. It also means morally good, honourable, conferring honour, affecting the mind agreeably, comforting and confirming.

"Wilt" (in Greek written "θέλω") means to will, have in mind, intend; also, to be resolved or determined, to purpose; to desire, to wish; to love; to like to do a thing, be fond of doing; or, to take delight in, have pleasure



This tells us that if we keep knocking the door will be open Matthew 7:7-8. The Canaanite woman was very persistent demonstrating to Jesus how strong her faith was. This shows how important faith is. Hebrews 11:6

This woman of Canaan had faith which pleased God and allowed her daughter to be made whole. Whoever you are or where ever you are from does not stop you from becomming a child of God. Even though she was not the lost sheep of the house of Israel, her faith was strong enough to please God. Luke 11:9