And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon.
English Standard Version (ESV)
While Jesus often sought private moments, his departure into the "parts" of Tyre and Sidon, bordering Gentile territory, wasn't just for quiet. It was a strategic move, a prelude to extending his ministry beyond Israel, even if he initially intended to remain hidden there.
And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus deliberately withdraws from his ministry in Israel to the Gentile regions of Tyre and Sidon, seeking a brief period of privacy away from the crowds. This move sets the stage for a pivotal encounter where he heals the daughter of a Syrophoenician woman, demonstrating his compassion extending beyond the Jewish people. The narrative immediately following highlights this woman's persistent faith and Jesus' initial apparent reluctance, which ultimately leads to a profound moment of grace for a Gentile.
Jesus didn't always stay where the crowds were. Sometimes, his movement away was as important as his movement towards people.
In Matthew 15:21, we see Jesus intentionally withdrawing to the region of Tyre and Sidon. This wasn't an act of avoidance, but a strategic move.
Strategic Silence
Commentators note that Jesus sought privacy here, possibly to avoid Herod or to simply have a period of respite. Mark's Gospel (7:24) specifically says he 'entered into a house, and would have no man know it.' This highlights that Jesus wasn't always seeking public ministry. He understood the rhythms of His mission, knowing when to engage and when to step back.
A Seedbed for Future Ministry
This withdrawal, though aimed at privacy, ironically led to a pivotal encounter with the Syrophoenician (Canaanite) woman. This suggests that God can use even our periods of quiet and retreat to prepare for new, unexpected outreaches of His kingdom.
This seemingly quiet retreat became the backdrop for Jesus interacting with someone outside the 'chosen' nation of Israel. This was a significant moment!
The encounter with the Canaanite woman in Tyre and Sidon (Matthew 15:22-28) is crucial because it marks a point where Jesus' ministry directly impacts a Gentile.
'Lost Sheep' and Unforeseen Encounters
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Jesus states in Matthew 15:24, 'I am not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.' This reflects His primary mission focus during His earthly ministry. However, the persistence of the Syrophoenician woman and Jesus' subsequent engagement show that the 'lost sheep' were not exclusively Jewish.
Faith Beyond Borders
This woman, a Gentile, demonstrates profound faith, calling Jesus 'Lord, Son of David' – titles steeped in Jewish messianic expectation. Her faith, recognized and commended by Jesus, foreshadows the broader inclusion of Gentiles into God's kingdom. This interaction wasn't a deviation from Jesus' mission but a powerful, early illustration of its ultimate scope. The 'crumbs' of the children's table were, by faith, made available to those outside the immediate family.
Jesus' temporary withdrawal into the Gentile territory of Tyre and Sidon, a region known for its ancient Phoenician culture and later Roman influence, was a strategic move. It allowed for a crucial encounter that demonstrated his compassion and the unfolding of God's salvation plan beyond Israel, foreshadowing the future expansion of the church to all nations.
c. 1500 BC - 332 BC
Tyre and Sidon Flourish
These ancient Phoenician cities were major maritime powers and centers of trade and culture, known for their wealth and influence in the Mediterranean world.
c. 125 BC
Roman Influence in Phoenicia
The region of Phoenicia, including the areas around Tyre and Sidon, gradually came under Roman control, becoming part of the Roman province of Syria.
c. 20 BC
Herod the Great Rules
Herod the Great, a client king of Rome, controlled Judea and surrounding territories, including areas near Phoenicia. His reign was marked by political maneuvering and building projects, but also by instability and suspicion.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee
Jesus' public ministry primarily took place in Galilee, a region not far from Tyre and Sidon. His growing fame and miracles attracted crowds and attention from various regions.
c. AD 28— this verse
Jesus Enters Gentile Territory
Jesus withdraws to the region of Tyre and Sidon, bordering Gentile lands. This move signifies a deliberate step outside his primary mission to Israel, setting the stage for the encounter with the Syrophoenician woman.
c. AD 28
The Syrophoenician Woman's Plea
A Gentile woman from this region approaches Jesus, seeking healing for her daughter. This encounter highlights Jesus' compassion extending beyond national and religious boundaries.
c. AD 30-33
Early Church Expansion
Following Jesus' resurrection and ascension, the gospel message began to spread beyond Judea to the Gentiles, fulfilling the broader implications of Jesus' ministry, including encounters like the one in Tyre.
This passage directly parallels Matthew's account, describing Jesus' withdrawal to the region of Tyre and his desire for privacy, highlighting the intentionality of his movements.
Matthew 10:5-6These verses show Jesus' initial directive to his disciples to minister only to the 'lost sheep of the house of Israel,' providing context for his later statement in Matthew 15:24 about being sent primarily to them, and making the Gentile woman's encounter more significant.
Isaiah 42:1-4This prophecy speaks of God's Servant bringing justice not only to Israel but also to the 'islands' (often interpreted as Gentiles), foreshadowing the inclusion of non-Israelites in God's redemptive plan that this journey and encounter represent.
Romans 15:8-9Paul explicitly connects Jesus' ministry to the 'circumcision' (Jews) as fulfilling God's promises, while also affirming his ministry to the Gentiles 'so that they might glorify God.' This passage helps frame Jesus' journey to Tyre as a stepping stone towards this broader mission.
John 11:51-52Caiaphas' unintentional prophecy that Jesus would die for 'the nation' and 'not for the nation only, but also that he might gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad' directly points to the eventual inclusion of Gentiles, which this journey anticipates.
barnesMatthew 15:21: "Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon."
This narrative is also found in Mark 7:24-30 . The coasts of Tyre and Sidon - These cities were on the seacoast or shore of the Mediterranean. See the notes at Matthew 11:21. Jesus went there for the purpose of concealment Mark 7:24, perhaps still to avoid Herod.
calvinMatthew 15:21-28: "Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon."
- And Jesus departing thence withdrew into the territories of Tyre and Sidon. 22. And, lo, a woman of Canaan, who had come from those territories, cried saying, Have compassion on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously afflicted by a devil. 23. But he made no reply to her, and his disciples approaching implored him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. 24. But he answering…
While Jesus often sought private moments, his departure into the "parts" of Tyre and Sidon, bordering Gentile territory, wasn't just for quiet. It was a strategic move, a prelude to extending his ministry beyond Israel, even if he initially intended to remain hidden there.
Jesus deliberately withdraws from his ministry in Israel to the Gentile regions of Tyre and Sidon, seeking a brief period of privacy away from the crowds. This move sets the stage for a pivotal encounter where he heals the daughter of a Syrophoenician woman, demonstrating his compassion extending beyond the Jewish people. The narrative immediately following highlights this woman's persistent faith and Jesus' initial apparent reluctance, which ultimately leads to a profound moment of grace for a Gentile.
Jesus deliberately withdraws from his ministry in Israel to the Gentile regions of Tyre and Sidon, seeking a brief period of privacy away from the crowds. This move sets the stage for a pivotal encounter where he heals the daughter of a Syrophoenician woman, demonstrating his compassion extending beyond the Jewish people. The narrative immediately following highlights this woman's persistent faith and Jesus' initial apparent reluctance, which ultimately leads to a profound moment of grace for a Gentile.
"And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon." — While Jesus often sought private moments, his departure into the "parts" of Tyre and Sidon, bordering Gentile territory, wasn't just for quiet. It was a strategic move, a prelude to extending his min…
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Last reviewed October 2026