March 6/7 – Mark 7:24-37

Jesus’ response to the Syrophoenician woman seems harsh. She comes seeking healing for her daughter, and Jesus refers to her and her daughter as “dogs.” The Greek word translated “dogs” here is kynariois, which actually means “little house dog” or “puppy”—in other words, this dog is a family pet. It’s still not a flattering comparison, but at least these “puppies” are cared-for members of the household. Why Jesus used the term to refer to this desperate woman coming to Him for help is a topic of great debate among biblical scholars.

Some scholars say that Jesus’ comment, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs,” was a well-known proverb of the time and that the woman would have understood it to mean Jesus was Jewish and, therefore, must first serve the Jews. However, there is no independent evidence that this statement was such a proverb. Other scholars say that Jesus was setting up a test of faith for the woman to pass. It’s really impossible to know exactly what was in Jesus’ mind when He said these words, which are so uncharacteristic of His compassion. What we do know is that there was an order to Jesus’ ministry. Paul referred to it when he wrote, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile” (Romans 1:16, emphasis added).

Jesus’ plan was to spread the Gospel among God’s chosen people, the Jews, and then to commission the disciples (and later Paul) to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Yet, in this passage, Jesus makes a trip into Gentile territory, traveling through Tyre, Sidon, and the Decapolis—Gentile places He could have easily avoided. In the aftermath of the Pharisees expressing a lack of faith, Jesus seems to have withdrawn into a land of strangers for a time to rest, but, ironically, it is here that He finds faith—in the heart of a Gentile.

Interestingly, the Syrophoenician woman is the only person in the gospel of Mark to call Jesus “Lord” (v. 28). The Pharisees certainly did not call Him Lord. As the religious leaders of the Jews, they should have recognized Jesus, but they didn’t. Yet this outsider does. The woman points out that there is so much of God’s grace at His children’s table that it overflows. It’s not wrong to allow the household pets some of the overflow, especially since the children won’t be partaking of what falls to the floor anyway. Besides, as we saw just a few verses earlier in Mark, many of the children of Israel refused to partake of Jesus—why shouldn’t an outsider get the chance to?

Jesus commends the woman for her reply and promises her daughter healing, which she receives. Then, Jesus continues traveling in Gentile territory. The woman’s expression of faith seems to have inspired Him to continue to spread the overflow of grace “under the table,” for next, He heals a deaf Gentile man. It would seem that since the Jewish leaders failed to listen and respond, Jesus would open the ears and loosen the tongue of a Gentile who was ready to believe, to hear, and to sing His praise.

With God, there is always more than enough grace. The Syrophoenician woman knew this. She recognized the overflow, and she was not afraid to ask for a part of it on behalf of her daughter. She has unwavering in her faith in Jesus, and Jesus rewarded her for it. Do you trust that God’s overflowing grace is also for you? Spend time enjoying God’s Presence this weekend, praising Him for His goodness to all people and asking Him for the things you need right now, knowing that He hears you.