Even though Jesus was trying to keep His presence quiet, the woman's "little daughter" being afflicted with an unclean spirit made her desperate. The use of the diminutive for "daughter" highlights her vulnerability and the mother's deep distress over her child's suffering.
But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus withdraws into Gentile territory near Tyre and Sidon, seeking privacy, but His fame precedes Him. A desperate Gentile mother, whose daughter is tormented by an evil spirit, hears of Jesus and immediately seeks Him out, throwing herself at His feet in supplication.
Imagine your child suffering, and you've tried everything. Then you hear about Jesus, but He seems to shut the door in your face. This is the stark reality this woman faced.
This woman, identified as a Greek and Syrophoenician, approached Jesus with a desperate plea for her daughter suffering from an 'unclean spirit.' Despite Jesus initially seeming to ignore her and then stating He was sent only for the 'lost sheep of the house of Israel,' she persisted. Her approach wasn't one of demand but humble worship and entreaty. This highlights a profound, even radical, faith that refused to be deterred by Jesus's apparent rejection or the cultural barriers between them. Her willingness to fall at His feet and call Him 'Lord' shows a deep conviction that Jesus held the answer, even when His words suggested otherwise.
Jesus used a startling analogy, comparing Gentiles to 'dogs.' How could this woman, and we, find hope and acceptance in such a statement?
Jesus's words, 'It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs,' were intended to test her faith and highlight the priority of Israel. However, the woman’s response was not to argue or accuse but to reframe the analogy. She accepted the designation but humbly asked for the 'crumbs' that fall from the table. This brilliant response demonstrated her understanding that even a small portion of divine provision was sufficient. Jesus used a diminutive word for 'daughter' (θυγάτριον), and the woman cleverly mirrored this by referring to 'dogs' (κυνάριον) in a way that implied domestic pets, not wild beasts. She understood that God’s mercy, while primarily directed toward Israel, extended to others as well, even in small measures, and she believed Jesus had the power to bestow it.
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pneuma akatharton · Greek Noun phrase
A supernatural being, often malevolent, that opposes God and seeks to harm or possess human beings.
Hellēn · Greek Noun
A non-Jewish person; historically used to describe anyone outside the covenant people of Israel.
Syrophoinikissa · Greek Noun
A person of Phoenician origin living in the region of Syria, representing those culturally and geographically distinct from the Jewish people.
daimonion · Greek Noun
A fallen angelic entity that acts as an agent of Satan, causing spiritual or physical affliction in humans.
Jesus' deliberate journey into Gentile territory and his interaction with the Syrophoenician woman illustrate the dawning of a new era, where God's mercy, previously focused on Israel, was beginning to extend to all nations, challenging the established religious and social boundaries.
c. 4 BC
Herod the Great Dies
The death of Herod the Great, a powerful Idumean king who ruled Judea under Roman authority, led to instability and division of his kingdom among his sons. This political fragmentation set the stage for increased Roman involvement in the region.
c. AD 6
Judea Becomes a Roman Province
Following the deposition of Herod Archelaus, Judea was directly incorporated into the Roman Empire as a province, governed by prefects and later procurators. This meant direct Roman taxation and a stronger military presence, increasing the burden on the Jewish people.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Public Ministry Begins
Jesus begins his public ministry in Galilee, performing miracles and teaching about the Kingdom of God. His fame spreads throughout the region, attracting crowds and disciples, but also drawing the attention of religious and political authorities.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus Travels to Gentile Territories
During his ministry, Jesus intentionally travels to the regions of Tyre and Sidon, areas predominantly inhabited by Gentiles. This journey marks a significant moment where his ministry begins to extend beyond the Jewish people, a controversial act for many.
c. AD 30-33
The Syrophoenician Woman's Plea
A Gentile woman from the region, whose daughter is afflicted by an unclean spirit, hears of Jesus and seeks his help. This encounter, where Jesus initially tests her faith by referring to himself as sent only to the 'lost sheep of Israel,' highlights the cultural and religious barriers of the time.
c. AD 30-33
Miraculous Healing and Growing Fame
Jesus, impressed by the woman's persistent faith, heals her daughter. This event, occurring in Gentile territory, further amplifies Jesus' reputation and demonstrates his compassion extending to non-Jews, foreshadowing the future mission of the Church.
This passage describes the same event, detailing the woman's plea and her acknowledgement of Jesus as the 'Son of David,' highlighting her initial understanding of His identity and mission even as a Gentile.
Luke 4:25-27These verses recount Elijah and Naaman's ministries, which Jesus himself uses as examples of God's favor extending to Gentiles during times of great need, paralleling the Syrophoenician woman's situation.
Romans 10:13-15This passage emphasizes that 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved,' underscoring the universality of God's call and the importance of faith, which this woman powerfully demonstrated.
Acts 10:34-35Peter's declaration here that 'God shows no partiality' but accepts anyone who fears him and does what is right, illuminates how Jesus's interaction with the Gentile woman prefigured the inclusion of all nations in God's kingdom.
bengelMark 7:25: "For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet:"
Mark 7:25 . Ἀκούσασα , having heard ) If faith could thus be originated by a mere rumour, how much more ought it to be by a text of Scripture, even though but a short one!— γὰρ , for ) Referring to the words, He could not be hid , Mark 7:24 . Jesus put Himself in her way, along with the help He meant to give her: but He so controlled the affair, that He seemed to have acted…
clarkeMark 7:25: "For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet:"
A certain woman - See this account of the Syrophoenician woman explained at large, Matthew 15:21-28 (note).
Even though Jesus was trying to keep His presence quiet, the woman's "little daughter" being afflicted with an unclean spirit made her desperate. The use of the diminutive for "daughter" highlights her vulnerability and the mother's deep distress over her child's suffering.
Jesus withdraws into Gentile territory near Tyre and Sidon, seeking privacy, but His fame precedes Him. A desperate Gentile mother, whose daughter is tormented by an evil spirit, hears of Jesus and immediately seeks Him out, throwing herself at His feet in supplication.
Jesus withdraws into Gentile territory near Tyre and Sidon, seeking privacy, but His fame precedes Him. A desperate Gentile mother, whose daughter is tormented by an evil spirit, hears of Jesus and immediately seeks Him out, throwing herself at His feet in supplication.
"But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter." — Even though Jesus was trying to keep His presence quiet, the woman's "little daughter" being afflicted with an unclean spirit made her desperate. The use of the diminutive for "daughter" highlights h…
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Last reviewed October 2026
