Mark 7:25

KJV

For a [certain] woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet:

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} a certain woman {G1135}, whose {G3739}{G846} young daughter {G2365} had {G2192} an unclean {G169} spirit {G4151}, heard {G191} of {G4012} him {G846}, and came {G2064} and fell {G4363} at {G4314} his {G846} feet {G4228}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Instead, a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit in her came to him and fell down at his feet.

Berean Standard Bible

Instead, a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit soon heard about Jesus, and she came and fell at His feet.

American Standard Version

But straightway a woman, whose little daughter had an unclean spirit, having heard of him, came and fell down at his feet.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 7:25 introduces a Gentile woman, whose daughter is afflicted by a demonic spirit, approaching Jesus with desperate urgency. Having heard of His miraculous power, she overcomes significant cultural barriers by seeking Him out and humbly prostrating herself at His feet, setting the stage for a powerful display of faith and divine compassion that transcends conventional boundaries.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' departure from Galilee and His entry into the region of Tyre and Sidon, as noted in [Mark 7:24](/mark/7-24 "Mark 7:24 - Jesus Enters Gentile Territory"). This geographical shift is highly significant, marking a deliberate move by Jesus into predominantly Gentile territory, away from the intense scrutiny of the Jewish religious leaders in Galilee. The preceding discourse in [Mark 7:1-23](/mark/7-1-23 "Mark 7:1-23 - Jesus Teaches on True Defilement") focused on the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and their emphasis on external traditions over internal purity, setting a theological stage for a demonstration of true faith that is not bound by ethnic or ceremonial distinctions. The encounter with the Syrophoenician woman serves as a powerful illustration of the principles Jesus just taught, revealing that God's grace extends beyond the confines of Jewish law and tradition.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The region of Tyre and Sidon, located in modern-day Lebanon, was a Gentile area, historically associated with Phoenicia. For a Jewish rabbi like Jesus to enter such a region was unusual and potentially controversial, as it was considered "unclean" by many strict Jews. Interactions between Jews and Gentiles were generally limited, and there was often mutual suspicion or disdain. The woman's act of approaching Jesus, a Jewish teacher, would have been culturally audacious and indicative of extreme desperation. Her willingness to cross these social and religious divides highlights the depth of her need and her profound belief in Jesus' power, contrasting sharply with the often-skeptical Jewish leadership Jesus had just left.

* **Key Themes:** Mark 7:25 introduces several pivotal themes that resonate throughout the Gospel of Mark and the broader New Testament. First, it underscores the **universal reach of God's grace and salvation**, demonstrating that Jesus' ministry is not exclusively for the Jewish people but extends to all who believe, regardless of their ethnic or religious background. This foreshadows the Great Commission found in [Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission"). Second, the woman's actions exemplify **desperate faith and profound humility**. Her act of falling at Jesus' feet is a posture of both supplication and worship, indicating a recognition of His divine authority and power, a theme echoed in the faith of the centurion in [Matthew 8:5-13](/matthew/8-5-13 "Matthew 8:5-13 - The Faith of the Centurion"). Finally, the presence of an "unclean spirit" highlights Jesus' **sovereignty over demonic forces and spiritual oppression**, a recurring motif in Mark's Gospel that emphasizes Jesus' identity as the Son of God, who came to destroy the works of the devil, as seen in [1 John 3:8](/1_john/3-8 "1 John 3:8 - Purpose of the Son of God").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Woman (Greek, _gynḗ_):** This term simply means "woman" or "wife." In this context, it refers to an adult female. The significance here is less about the word itself and more about who this particular woman is revealed to be in the subsequent verse: a Syrophoenician, a Gentile. This highlights the breaking of social and religious barriers as a Gentile woman approaches a Jewish Messiah.
* **Young daughter (Greek, _thygátrion_):** This is a diminutive form of "daughter" (θυγάτηρ, _thygatēr_), meaning "little daughter" or "daughterling." The use of the diminutive emphasizes the child's tender age and vulnerability, intensifying the mother's anguish and desperation. It underscores the profound suffering and the mother's deep love and concern for her afflicted child.
* **Unclean spirit (Greek, _akáthartos pneûma_):** The term "unclean" (_akáthartos_) signifies something ritually or morally impure, defiled, or opposed to God's holiness. "Spirit" (_pneûma_) in this context refers to a demonic entity. This phrase is frequently used in the Gospels to denote a malevolent spiritual being that afflicts individuals, causing physical, mental, or spiritual torment. The combination emphasizes the nature of the affliction as not merely physical illness but a spiritual oppression, highlighting the power of the demonic realm and the need for divine intervention.
* **Fell (Greek, _prospíptō_):** This verb means "to fall towards," specifically to prostrate oneself in supplication or homage. It denotes an act of profound reverence, humility, and desperate pleading. It is a posture of submission and worship, indicating that the woman recognized Jesus' extraordinary authority and believed He possessed the power to deliver her daughter. This physical act speaks volumes about her inner state of faith and desperation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For a [certain] woman":** This introduces the central figure of the narrative, emphasizing her anonymity in the immediate context, yet highlighting her pivotal role. The "for" (Greek, _gar_) connects this event to Jesus' preceding actions, implying that His reputation for healing had reached even into Gentile territories.
* **"whose young daughter had an unclean spirit":** This clause reveals the dire nature of the woman's predicament. Her "little daughter" (emphasizing vulnerability) was afflicted by a "demon" (an "unclean spirit"), indicating a spiritual oppression beyond human remedy. This establishes the profound need that drives the woman's desperate appeal.
* **"heard of him":** This phrase is crucial, indicating that Jesus' fame had spread widely, even into Gentile regions. The woman's knowledge of Jesus' power, likely through reports of His miracles, served as the catalyst for her bold action. Her faith was born out of what she had heard, aligning with the principle that "faith comes by hearing" ([Romans 10:17](/romans/10-17 "Romans 10:17 - Faith Comes by Hearing")).
* **"and came and fell at his feet":** This describes the woman's immediate and decisive action. "Came" signifies her active pursuit of Jesus, overcoming any potential barriers. "Fell at his feet" is a posture of ultimate humility, desperation, and reverence. It conveys her recognition of Jesus' authority and her complete surrender to His will, embodying a profound act of supplication and worship.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 7:25 employs several powerful literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is evident as Jesus' entry into Gentile territory and this woman's desperate plea hint at the future expansion of the Gospel beyond Jewish confines, preparing the reader for the universal scope of Christ's mission. There is a subtle **Irony** in this Gentile woman demonstrating a greater, more persistent faith than many of the Jewish leaders who had just challenged Jesus. Her humble posture contrasts sharply with their prideful questioning. The "unclean spirit" serves as **Symbolism** for the pervasive evil and spiritual bondage that Jesus came to conquer, representing not just a personal affliction but the broader spiritual darkness from which humanity needs deliverance. Finally, the woman's act of "falling at his feet" is a powerful visual **Metaphor** for complete surrender, desperate supplication, and profound reverence, illustrating the appropriate posture of a believer before the divine.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 7:25 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of God's compassion and the inclusive scope of His redemptive plan. It highlights that true faith is not confined by ethnicity, social status, or religious tradition, but is a matter of the heart's desperate cry for divine intervention. The woman's action of falling at Jesus' feet embodies the humility and recognition of His supreme authority that God seeks in His worshippers. This encounter challenges the narrow, ethnocentric views prevalent at the time, demonstrating Jesus' willingness to extend grace and healing to those considered "outsiders," thereby foreshadowing the global mission of the church. It underscores that God's power is available to all who approach Him in genuine faith, regardless of their background or the magnitude of their need.

* [Matthew 15:21-28](/matthew/15-21-28 "Matthew 15:21-28 - The Canaanite Woman's Faith")
* [Luke 17:11-19](/luke/17-11-19 "Luke 17:11-19 - Jesus Heals Ten Lepers")
* [Acts 10:34-35](/acts/10-34-35 "Acts 10:34-35 - Peter's Realization of God's Impartiality")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The Syrophoenician woman's encounter with Jesus in Mark 7:25 provides a timeless blueprint for approaching God in our own moments of deepest need. Her desperation for her daughter's healing drove her past societal norms and potential rejection, straight to the feet of Jesus. This teaches us the profound importance of **persistence and humility** in prayer. We are called to bring our burdens, our brokenness, and our deepest longings directly to Christ, not with a sense of entitlement, but with a humble recognition of His sovereignty and our dependence on His grace. Just as her faith was not deterred by cultural barriers, our faith should transcend any perceived obstacles—whether they are feelings of unworthiness, past failures, or the magnitude of our problems. Her example encourages us to lay everything at Jesus' feet, trusting in His compassion and power to intervene, knowing that He hears the cries of a desperate heart that truly believes in Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "unclean spirits" or overwhelming burdens in your life are you being called to lay at Jesus' feet with desperate humility?**
* **How does the woman's willingness to cross cultural and social barriers challenge your own preconceived notions about who is worthy of God's grace?**
* **In what ways can you cultivate a more persistent and humble approach in your prayer life, mirroring the woman's actions?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus go into Gentile territory like Tyre and Sidon, and what is the significance of this woman being a Gentile?**

Answer: Jesus' journey into the region of Tyre and Sidon, a predominantly Gentile area, was significant for several reasons. Theologically, it demonstrated His universal mission, revealing that His compassion and saving power extended beyond the Jewish people to all nations. This foreshadowed the inclusion of Gentiles into God's covenant people, a theme central to the early church as seen in [Acts 10](/acts/10 "Acts 10 - Peter and Cornelius"). Practically, it may have also served as a strategic withdrawal from the intense opposition and scrutiny He faced from the Jewish religious leaders in Galilee, allowing Him a brief respite and opportunity for more focused teaching with His disciples, as suggested by [Mark 7:24](/mark/7-24 "Mark 7:24 - Jesus Enters Gentile Territory"). The fact that this woman was a Gentile (specifically, a Syrophoenician, as revealed in [Mark 7:26](/mark/7-26 "Mark 7:26 - The Syrophoenician Woman's Identity")) highlights that true faith is not limited by ethnicity or religious background, but is found in those who humbly seek Christ, demonstrating that God is impartial and accessible to all who believe.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 7:25, though seemingly a simple narrative of a desperate mother, is profoundly Christ-centered, revealing the expansive nature of God's redemptive plan embodied in Jesus. The woman's act of coming and falling at Jesus' feet is a powerful image of humanity's posture before the divine Messiah. Her faith, born from hearing about Him, anticipates the truth that Jesus is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose redemptive work is for all people, not just a select few. Her daughter's affliction by an "unclean spirit" directly points to Christ's ultimate victory over the forces of darkness, a central aspect of His mission to [destroy the works of the devil](/1_john/3-8 "1 John 3:8 - Purpose of the Son of God"). Jesus, by extending grace and healing to this Gentile woman, demonstrates His role as the [Savior of the world](/john/4-42 "John 4:42 - Jesus, the Savior of the World"), breaking down the dividing wall of hostility between Jew and Gentile, as later articulated by Paul in [Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Breaks Down the Wall of Hostility"). This encounter prefigures the global reach of the Gospel, showing that in Christ, there is [neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, male nor female, for all are one in Christ Jesus](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - Unity in Christ"), and that His compassion knows no bounds.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 15:22

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.

Mark 5:22

And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,

Mark 5:23

And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: [I pray thee], come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.

Acts 10:25

And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped [him].

Acts 10:26

But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

Mark 9:17

And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;

Mark 9:23

Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things [are] possible to him that believeth.