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.

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}.

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!"

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.”

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.

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."

Context

This verse occurs immediately after Jesus' teaching on defilement, where He challenges the Pharisees' traditions. Jesus then withdraws from Galilee to the region of Tyre and Sidon, Gentile territories. This setting is significant because it places Jesus outside the traditional boundaries of Israel, making His encounter with the Canaanite woman notable. The woman is a Gentile, specifically identified as a Canaanite, a people with historical conflict with Israel, yet she comes seeking help from the Jewish Messiah.

Key Themes

  • Faith Beyond Israel: The woman's approach demonstrates remarkable faith for someone outside the covenant people of Israel, acknowledging Jesus' power and identity.
  • Persistent Prayer: Although initially met with silence and later a challenging response, her persistence highlights the importance of unwavering prayer and supplication.
  • Jesus as Son of David: Her use of this messianic title shows understanding, or perhaps hopeful belief, in Jesus' identity as the promised deliverer, a title primarily recognized by Jews. This echoes the cry of others seeking healing, like the blind men in Matthew 9:27.
  • Deliverance from Demonic Oppression: The core of her plea is for her daughter suffering from severe demonic affliction, highlighting Jesus' authority over evil spirits.

Linguistic Insights

The title "Son of David" (Greek: huios Dauid) is a significant messianic title, linking Jesus to the royal line of David and the prophecies concerning the Messiah who would rule Israel. The phrase "grievously vexed with a devil" (Greek: kakōs daimonizetai) indicates severe suffering caused by demonic possession or influence, a common affliction Jesus encountered and healed.

Reflection and Application

The Canaanite woman's cry is a powerful example of desperate need driving someone to seek Jesus. Her faith, despite being a Gentile and facing initial difficulty, led her to acknowledge Jesus' authority ("O Lord") and His messianic identity ("Son of David"). Her relentless appeal for mercy for her daughter teaches us about the nature of prayer – coming to Jesus with our needs, expressing faith in His power, and persevering even when the answer isn't immediately apparent. It underscores that Jesus' compassion and power are available to all who approach Him in faith, regardless of their background, as seen in Galatians 3:28.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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