¶ Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.
Then {G2532} Jesus {G2424} went {G1831} thence {G1564}, and departed {G402} into {G1519} the coasts {G3313} of Tyre {G5184} and {G2532} Sidon {G4605}.
Yeshua left that place and went off to the region of Tzor and Tzidon.
Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon.
And Jesus went out thence, and withdrew into the parts of Tyre and Sidon.
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Mark 7:24
¶ And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know [it]: but he could not be hid. -
Mark 7:30
And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed. -
Matthew 11:21
Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. -
Matthew 11:23
And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. -
Joshua 19:28
And Hebron, and Rehob, and Hammon, and Kanah, [even] unto great Zidon; -
Joshua 19:29
And [then] the coast turneth to Ramah, and to the strong city Tyre; and the coast turneth to Hosah; and the outgoings thereof are at the sea from the coast to Achzib: -
Joshua 13:6
All the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon unto Misrephothmaim, [and] all the Sidonians, them will I drive out from before the children of Israel: only divide thou it by lot unto the Israelites for an inheritance, as I have commanded thee.
Matthew 15:21 (KJV) marks a significant geographical and thematic shift in Jesus' ministry, setting the stage for one of the New Testament's most profound encounters of faith.
Context
This verse immediately follows Jesus' intense debate with the Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem concerning ritual purity and man-made traditions versus God's commandments (Matthew 15:1-20). After exposing their hypocrisy and teaching the disciples about what truly defiles a person, Jesus withdraws from the region of Gennesaret in Galilee.
His departure "into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon" is notable. Tyre and Sidon were ancient Phoenician port cities located on the Mediterranean coast, north of Galilee. These were predominantly Gentile territories, known for their commercialism and pagan worship, starkly different from the Jewish towns where Jesus typically ministered. This move signifies a deliberate withdrawal from the escalating religious opposition in Israel and a temporary venture into non-Jewish lands.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The KJV phrase "coasts of Tyre and Sidon" uses "coasts" in its older sense, meaning "borders" or "regions," rather than exclusively referring to the shoreline. It indicates Jesus entered the general vicinity or outlying districts of these cities, not necessarily the cities themselves.
Practical Application
Matthew 15:21 reminds us that Jesus' ministry was not confined by human expectations or geographical boundaries. It encourages believers to: