Matthew 15:22

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532}, behold {G2400}, a woman {G1135} of Canaan {G5478} came {G1831} out of {G575} the same {G1565} coasts {G3725}, and cried {G2905} unto him {G846}, saying {G3004}, Have mercy {G1653} on me {G3165}, O Lord {G2962}, thou Son {G5207} of David {G1138}; my {G3450} daughter {G2364} is grievously {G2560} vexed with a devil {G1139}.

Complete Jewish Bible

A woman from Kena`an who was living there came to him, pleading, "Sir, have pity on me. Son of David! My daughter is cruelly held under the power of demons!"

Berean Standard Bible

And a Canaanite woman from that region came to Him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is miserably possessed by a demon.”

American Standard Version

And behold, a Canaanitish woman came out from those borders, and cried, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a demon.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 15:22 introduces a pivotal encounter between Jesus and a Canaanite woman in the Gentile region of Tyre and Sidon. This desperate mother approaches Jesus with an urgent plea for mercy, acknowledging Him as "Lord" and "Son of David," and revealing the severe demonic affliction of her daughter. Her bold approach from outside the traditional boundaries of Israel sets the stage for a profound demonstration of faith and the expansive nature of God's grace.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' challenging discourse with the Pharisees and scribes regarding true defilement, where He prioritizes the heart over external traditions (Matthew 15:1-20). Jesus then intentionally withdraws from Galilee to the Gentile territories of Tyre and Sidon (Matthew 15:21), setting the scene for an encounter that transcends Jewish-Gentile boundaries. The woman's persistent plea and Jesus' initial challenging response, culminating in her daughter's healing (Matthew 15:23-28), form a complete narrative unit that highlights the nature of faith and God's universal compassion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The woman is identified as a "Canaanite," a term that would have evoked historical antagonism with Israel, emphasizing her non-Jewish identity. This region of Tyre and Sidon was predominantly Gentile, making Jesus' presence and interaction there culturally significant. In Jewish society, there was often a strong distinction and avoidance of Gentiles. The woman's bold approach to a Jewish rabbi, and her use of a Jewish messianic title, "Son of David," underscores the extraordinary nature of her faith and desperation, challenging the prevailing social and religious norms of the time. Demonic possession was a recognized and feared affliction in the ancient world, and Jesus' consistent power over evil spirits demonstrated His divine authority.
* **Key Themes:** This encounter contributes significantly to several major themes in Matthew's Gospel. It powerfully illustrates **Faith Beyond Israel**, demonstrating that genuine faith is not confined by ethnic or religious boundaries, as seen also in the faith of the Roman Centurion in [Matthew 8:5-13](/matthew/8-5-13 "Matthew 8:5-13 - The Centurion's Faith"). The woman's unwavering appeal, despite initial silence and challenging words from Jesus, highlights the theme of **Persistent Prayer** and the importance of humility in seeking God's mercy, echoing principles found in parables like the [persistent widow](/luke/18-1-8 "Luke 18:1-8 - Parable of the Persistent Widow"). Her use of "Son of David" underscores **Jesus' Messianic Identity**, particularly His role as the promised deliverer, and expands the understanding of who recognizes this truth. Finally, the daughter's affliction reinforces **Jesus' Authority Over Demonic Oppression**, a recurring demonstration of His divine power throughout His ministry.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **woman (Greek, _gynḗ_):** This term simply means "female" or "wife," but in this context, coupled with "of Canaan," it specifically denotes a Gentile woman. Her identity as a "Canaanite" highlights the significant ethnic and religious barrier that Jesus, by engaging with her, transcends, demonstrating the expansive nature of His mission beyond Israel.
* **cried (Greek, _kraugázō_):** Meaning "to clamor" or "to cry out loudly," this verb emphasizes the intensity, urgency, and public nature of the woman's plea. It suggests a desperate, unreserved appeal for help, indicative of her profound need and unwavering determination to gain Jesus' attention.
* **vexed with a devil (Greek, _daimonízomai_):** This phrase describes being "exercised by a demon" or "demon-possessed." It points to a severe and direct affliction by an evil spirit, indicating a condition beyond human remedy and requiring divine intervention. The addition of "grievously" (G2560 _kakōs_) further underscores the extreme suffering involved.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts":** The opening "And, behold" (G2532 _kaí_ G2400 _idoú_) serves to draw immediate attention to the unexpected appearance of this woman. Her identification as "of Canaan" (G5478 _Chanaanaîos_) is significant, marking her as a Gentile from the region of Tyre and Sidon (the "coasts" Jesus had just entered, G3725 _hórion_), a territory historically antagonistic to Israel. Her coming "out of" (G575 _apó_) these Gentile borders into Jesus' presence signifies a breaking of conventional boundaries.
* **"and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, [thou] Son of David":** Her immediate action is to "cry out" (G2905 _kraugázō_) to Jesus, indicating urgency and desperation. Her plea, "Have mercy on me" (G1653 _eleéō_ G3165 _mé_), is a common supplication to God or a powerful figure. Crucially, she addresses Jesus with two significant titles: "O Lord" (G2962 _kýrios_), acknowledging His authority, and "Son of David" (G5207 _huiós_ G1138 _Dabíd_), a profoundly Jewish messianic title. This demonstrates a remarkable spiritual insight or desperate hope from a Gentile woman.
* **"my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil":** The core reason for her desperate appeal is revealed: her daughter's severe suffering due to demonic oppression. The adverb "grievously" (G2560 _kakōs_) intensifies the description of the daughter's condition, emphasizing the extreme nature of the affliction and the dire need for Jesus' miraculous healing power.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew's narrative in this verse effectively uses **Contrast** to highlight the profound nature of the encounter. The woman, an "outsider" from Canaan, stands in stark contrast to the religious "insiders" (the Pharisees) whom Jesus had just rebuked for their spiritual blindness. This contrast underscores that true faith is not bound by ethnicity or religious pedigree. The woman's **Persistent Supplication** serves as a powerful literary motif throughout the subsequent verses, emphasizing the efficacy of unwavering prayer. Her use of the **Messianic Title Usage** "Son of David" by a Gentile is a form of **Dramatic Irony**, as she, an outsider, recognizes Jesus' identity more clearly than many within Israel. Her loud "cried out" (G2905 _kraugázō_) also employs **Hyperbole** to convey the depth of her desperation and the urgency of her plea, drawing the reader's attention to her profound need.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This encounter profoundly illustrates the expansive nature of God's grace and the universal scope of Jesus' mission, challenging the prevailing Jewish exclusivism of the time. The woman's faith, though from outside the covenant community, is held up as an example, demonstrating that God's mercy is available to all who seek Him in genuine humility and persistence. It foreshadows the Gentile inclusion in the early church and the breaking down of the "dividing wall of hostility" between Jew and Gentile (Ephesians 2:14). Her recognition of Jesus as "Son of David" from a Gentile perspective is a powerful testament to His true identity, transcending cultural and religious barriers and affirming that He is indeed the promised Messiah for all nations.

* [Matthew 8:5-13](/matthew/8-5-13 "Matthew 8:5-13 - The Centurion's Faith")
* [Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - Light to the Gentiles")
* [Acts 10:34-35](/acts/10-34-35 "Acts 10:34-35 - God Shows No Partiality")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The Canaanite woman's story is a profound encouragement for believers today, offering timeless lessons on faith, prayer, and God's boundless compassion. Her desperate cry, "Have mercy on me," reminds us that true prayer begins with an honest acknowledgement of our profound need and God's sovereign power and willingness to intervene. Her persistence, even when met with initial silence and challenging words from Jesus, teaches us the vital lesson of unwavering faith in prayer. We are called to bring our deepest burdens and the needs of those we love to Jesus, trusting in His compassion and ability to intervene, even when His answer is not immediately apparent or what we expect. Her humility in accepting Jesus' terms, even when seemingly demeaning, ultimately opened the door to a miraculous breakthrough, demonstrating that humility precedes blessing and that God often tests our faith to strengthen it. This narrative assures us that no one is too "outside" or too "unworthy" to approach Christ with genuine faith, for His grace extends to all who sincerely seek Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does the Canaanite woman's persistence teach us about our own prayer lives, especially when answers are delayed or challenging?**
* **How does this story challenge any preconceived notions we might have about who is "worthy" or "unworthy" of God's grace?**
* **In what areas of your life or for whom are you called to cry out to Jesus with desperate faith, like the Canaanite woman?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus initially seem to ignore or dismiss the Canaanite woman?**

Answer: Jesus' initial silence and challenging remarks ("I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel," [Matthew 15:24](/matthew/15-24 "Matthew 15:24 - Jesus' Mission to Israel")) served several profound purposes. Firstly, it tested and ultimately highlighted the woman's extraordinary faith, demonstrating its depth, humility, and unwavering persistence in the face of adversity. Secondly, it provided a crucial teaching moment for the disciples, revealing that true faith transcends ethnic and social boundaries, contrasting with their own limited understanding and potential prejudices. Finally, it underscored the divine order of God's redemptive plan, which, while initially focused on Israel, would ultimately extend to the Gentiles, making her a prime example of the universal scope of the gospel.

**What is the significance of the woman calling Jesus "Son of David"?**

Answer: The title "Son of David" is a deeply significant messianic title within Jewish tradition, identifying Jesus as the promised King from David's royal lineage, the one who would restore Israel and reign eternally. For a Gentile woman to use this title is remarkable and highly significant. It indicates either a profound understanding of Jewish messianic expectations that had spread beyond Israel's borders, or more likely, a Spirit-inspired recognition of Jesus' true identity and divine authority. Her use of this title from an "outsider" perspective powerfully foreshadows the inclusion of Gentiles into God's kingdom and the universal reign of Christ, as prophesied in passages like [Isaiah 11:10](/isaiah/11-10 "Isaiah 11:10 - Root of Jesse as a Standard for the Peoples").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The encounter with the Canaanite woman powerfully foreshadows the universal reach of Christ's redemptive work, demonstrating that His compassion and saving power are not confined to any single ethnicity or religious group. Her desperate plea for mercy and her recognition of Jesus as "Son of David" from outside the covenant community illuminate the truth that in Christ, the dividing wall of hostility between Jew and Gentile has been broken down, creating one new humanity in Himself ([Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace")). Jesus' initial focus on the "lost sheep of Israel" ([Matthew 15:24](/matthew/15-24 "Matthew 15:24 - Jesus' Mission to Israel")) does not negate His ultimate mission to draw all people to Himself, as He Himself declared, "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself" ([John 12:32](/john/12-32 "John 12:32 - Jesus Draws All People")). Her great faith, which Jesus commends ([Matthew 15:28](/matthew/15-28 "Matthew 15:28 - Great Faith Commended")), serves as a living parable of how all who come to Him in humility and persistent faith, regardless of their background, will find mercy, healing, and deliverance through the finished work of the cross. This narrative beautifully illustrates the truth that salvation is by grace through faith, accessible to Jew and Gentile alike, through the one Lord, Jesus Christ, who is "rich to all who call on him" ([Romans 10:12-13](/romans/10-12-13 "Romans 10:12-13 - Lord of All")).

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 9:27

¶ And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, [Thou] Son of David, have mercy on us.

Matthew 17:15

Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.

Mark 7:25

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

Mark 7:26

The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter.

Luke 18:38

And he cried, saying, Jesus, [thou] Son of David, have mercy on me.

Luke 18:39

And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, [Thou] Son of David, have mercy on me.

Psalms 4:1

¶ To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm of David. Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me [when I was] in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.