Matthew 15:23

KJV

But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} he answered {G611} her {G846} not {G3756} a word {G3056}. And {G2532} his {G846} disciples {G3101} came {G4334} and besought {G2065} him {G846}, saying {G3004}, Send {G630} her {G846} away {G630}; for {G3754} she crieth {G2896} after {G3693} us {G2257}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But Yeshua did not say a word to her. Then his talmidim came to him and urged him, "Send her away, because she is following us and keeps pestering us with her crying."

Berean Standard Bible

But Jesus did not answer a word. So His disciples came and urged Him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

American Standard Version

But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 15:23 captures a pivotal moment in Jesus' encounter with the Canaanite woman, revealing His initial, testing silence and the disciples' limited, impatient response. Despite the woman's persistent and desperate cries for her demon-possessed daughter, Jesus offers no verbal reply. This silence prompts His disciples to intervene, urging Him to dismiss her, highlighting their discomfort with her presence and their narrow understanding of Jesus' mission, which was about to expand beyond the perceived boundaries of Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a broader narrative (Matthew 15:21-28) that immediately follows Jesus' confrontation with the Pharisees and scribes regarding ritual purity and true defilement (Matthew 15:1-20). Having departed from Gennesaret, Jesus withdraws to the Gentile regions of Tyre and Sidon. It is here that the Canaanite woman, described in [Matthew 15:22](/matthew/15-22 "Matthew 15:22 - The Canaanite Woman's Plea"), approaches Him with a fervent plea for her daughter, who is severely afflicted by a demon. Jesus' silence in [Matthew 15:23](/matthew/15-23 "Matthew 15:23 - Jesus' Silence and Disciples' Plea") is a striking and unusual response, setting the stage for a profound dialogue that tests the woman's faith and ultimately reveals the expansive nature of God's grace.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The region of Tyre and Sidon was predominantly Gentile territory, historically hostile to Israel. A "Canaanite woman" would have been considered an outsider, a descendant of the traditional enemies of Israel, and generally outside the scope of Jewish messianic expectations. Jewish custom often dictated minimal interaction with Gentiles, especially in matters of spiritual healing or teaching. Jesus' presence in this region and His subsequent interaction with this woman challenged the prevailing cultural and religious norms. The disciples' plea to "send her away" likely stemmed from a combination of their discomfort with her persistent public crying, their adherence to traditional Jewish boundaries, and their initial understanding that Jesus' ministry was primarily to "the lost sheep of the house of Israel," as Jesus Himself articulates in [Matthew 15:24](/matthew/15-24 "Matthew 15:24 - Jesus' Mission to Israel").

* **Key Themes:** Matthew 15:23 contributes significantly to several key themes within the Gospel. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **testing faith**, where Jesus' initial silence is not indifference but a deliberate means to draw out and strengthen the woman's unwavering trust, a pattern seen elsewhere when God seems to delay His response. Secondly, it highlights the **spiritual immaturity and limited perspective of the disciples**, who, despite witnessing countless miracles and teachings, still struggle with compassion and the universal scope of Jesus' mission. Their desire to dismiss the woman reveals their ethnocentric bias and lack of understanding regarding the breaking down of barriers between Jew and Gentile, a theme that will become central to the early church. Finally, the woman's persistent "crying after us" foreshadows the theme of **perseverance in prayer**, demonstrating that true faith often manifests as a relentless pursuit of God's mercy, even in the face of apparent rejection, echoing the lessons of the persistent friend in [Luke 11:5-8](/luke/11-5-8 "Luke 11:5-8 - Parable of the Persistent Friend") and the persistent widow in [Luke 18:1-8](/luke/18-1-8 "Luke 18:1-8 - Parable of the Persistent Widow").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **lógos (Greek, _lógos'_):** This word, translated here as "word," signifies not just a sound or utterance, but a concept, a message, or even divine reason. In the context of "answered her not a word," it emphasizes the absolute absence of any verbal communication from Jesus. His silence was complete, not merely a brief pause, making His non-response particularly striking and impactful. The lack of a _lógos_ from Jesus creates a vacuum, intensifying the woman's desperate plea and the disciples' frustration.
* **erōtáō (Greek, _erōtáō'_):** Translated as "besought," this verb denotes a strong request, an earnest appeal, or even an interrogation. It indicates that the disciples were not merely suggesting but actively imploring Jesus to take action. Their "beseeching" reveals their growing impatience and desire to resolve the situation, perhaps due to the woman's persistent shouting or their discomfort with her presence in their company. It underscores the intensity of their plea for her dismissal.
* **krázō (Greek, _krázō'_):** Meaning "to cry aloud," "to scream," or "to shriek," this word vividly describes the woman's desperate and public outcry. It implies a loud, continuous, and insistent shouting, indicating her profound distress and unwavering determination. Her "crying after us" (the disciples) suggests she was following them, making her presence and her pleas impossible to ignore. This persistent crying is a testament to her unyielding faith and desperate need, setting the stage for Jesus' eventual commendation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But he answered her not a word."**: This clause highlights Jesus' initial, profound silence in response to the Canaanite woman's fervent plea. This is highly unusual for Jesus, who typically responded with compassion and action to those in need. His complete lack of verbal reply serves as a deliberate test of the woman's faith and perseverance, and also allows the disciples' reaction to come to the forefront.
* **"And his disciples came and besought him, saying,"**: Following Jesus' silence, His disciples approach Him directly, indicating their discomfort and desire for Him to act. The verb "besought" (erōtáō) signifies an earnest appeal, showing their active intervention and desire to influence Jesus' course of action regarding the woman. Their approach signals a shift in the interaction, bringing their perspective into the narrative.
* **"Send her away;"**: This is the core of the disciples' request. They want Jesus to dismiss the woman, to make her leave their vicinity. This reveals their impatience and lack of compassion, possibly stemming from annoyance at her persistent cries or a desire to maintain traditional boundaries that excluded Gentiles from their immediate ministry.
* **"for she crieth after us."**: This final clause provides the disciples' justification for their request. The woman's loud, persistent "crying" is presented as the reason for their desire to have her sent away. It underscores her relentless pursuit of Jesus and the disciples' discomfort with her public and unceasing appeals, which they perceive as a disturbance.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 15:23 employs several potent literary devices. **Silence** is a prominent device, as Jesus' deliberate lack of response creates dramatic tension and serves as a profound test of the woman's faith. This is juxtaposed with the woman's **persistent crying**, creating a powerful **contrast** between divine stillness and human desperation. The scene also utilizes **juxtaposition** by placing the disciples' impatient and self-centered request ("Send her away; for she crieth after us") immediately after Jesus' enigmatic silence, highlighting their spiritual immaturity against the backdrop of the woman's unwavering faith. Furthermore, the woman's relentless "crying" acts as **foreshadowing**, hinting at the extraordinary persistence that will ultimately lead to Jesus' commendation of her great faith in [Matthew 15:28](/matthew/15-28 "Matthew 15:28 - Jesus Commends Her Faith"). The disciples' limited perspective also serves as a form of **irony**, as they, Jesus' closest followers, fail to grasp the broader implications of His ministry to Gentiles, a truth that this very encounter will powerfully demonstrate.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates the nature of divine testing and the development of faith. Jesus' silence is not a sign of indifference but a pedagogical tool, designed to reveal the depth of the woman's faith and persistence, and to instruct His disciples. It challenges the conventional expectation of immediate divine intervention, teaching that sometimes God's "no word" is a prelude to a greater "yes," requiring the seeker to press in with unwavering trust. The disciples' reaction, driven by annoyance and a narrow understanding of God's redemptive plan, serves as a theological counterpoint, highlighting the ongoing need for compassion and a broader vision of the Gospel's reach beyond ethnic or social boundaries. This moment sets the stage for Jesus to demonstrate that faith, even from an "outsider," can be profound enough to transcend perceived limitations and unlock divine power.

* [Luke 11:8](/luke/11-8 "Luke 11:8 - The Persistent Friend")
* [Luke 18:1-8](/luke/18-1-8 "Luke 18:1-8 - The Parable of the Persistent Widow")
* [Psalm 27:14](/psalms/27-14 "Psalm 27:14 - Wait on the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 15:23 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. Jesus' initial silence serves as a powerful reminder that God's ways are not always our ways, and His timing is often beyond our comprehension. When our prayers seem to go unanswered, or when God appears silent, this passage encourages us not to despair or give up. Instead, it calls us to cultivate a deeper, more persistent faith, one that presses in even when immediate answers are not forthcoming. Such moments of divine silence can be opportunities for our faith to be tested, refined, and ultimately strengthened, revealing to us and to others the depth of our trust in God's sovereign goodness. Furthermore, the disciples' impatience and desire to dismiss the Canaanite woman challenge us to examine our own hearts for any prejudices or lack of compassion towards those who might be considered "outsiders" or inconvenient. True discipleship calls for an expansive love that mirrors Christ's, embracing all who seek Him, regardless of their background or perceived status. We are called to be conduits of grace, not barriers to it, remembering that God often works through unexpected people and in unexpected ways to demonstrate His boundless mercy.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you typically react when God seems silent in response to your prayers or desperate pleas?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be tempted to "send away" someone who is persistently seeking help, perhaps due to their background, perceived inconvenience, or social status?**
* **What does the Canaanite woman's persistence, despite Jesus' initial silence, teach you about the nature of true faith and prayer?**
* **How can you cultivate a more compassionate and inclusive perspective, mirroring Jesus' ultimate embrace of all who come to Him in faith?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus not answer the Canaanite woman a word?**

Answer: Jesus' initial silence was not a sign of indifference or rejection, but rather a deliberate test of the Canaanite woman's faith and persistence. It served to draw out the depth of her trust and determination, which she powerfully demonstrated in the subsequent verses. This testing also highlighted the disciples' limited understanding and impatience, preparing them for a broader vision of Jesus' mission that extended beyond Israel. It's a pattern seen elsewhere in Scripture where God's apparent delay or silence serves a greater redemptive or pedagogical purpose, often preceding a profound manifestation of His grace.

**Why did the disciples want Jesus to "send her away"?**

Answer: The disciples' request to "send her away" likely stemmed from a combination of factors. Firstly, the woman's persistent and loud "crying after us" (Matthew 15:23) was probably seen as a public nuisance, disrupting their journey and drawing unwanted attention. Secondly, as devout Jews, they might have held traditional prejudices against Gentiles, viewing the Canaanite woman as an outsider who was not part of Jesus' primary mission to the "lost sheep of the house of Israel" ([Matthew 15:24](/matthew/15-24 "Matthew 15:24 - Jesus' Mission to Israel")). Their impatience and lack of compassion highlight their spiritual immaturity at this point, before they fully grasped the universal scope of the Gospel.

**What does "she crieth after us" signify about the woman?**

Answer: The phrase "she crieth after us" (Greek: _krázō_) signifies the woman's desperate, loud, and persistent outcry. It indicates that she was not merely speaking but shouting, likely following Jesus and His disciples, making her presence and her plea impossible to ignore. This detail underscores her profound distress over her daughter's condition and her unwavering determination to seek help from Jesus. Her persistent "crying" is a testament to her unyielding faith and refusal to give up, despite Jesus' initial silence and the disciples' desire to dismiss her.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 15:23, though seemingly a moment of Christ's reserve, ultimately points to His profound Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Jesus' initial silence and the disciples' limited perspective serve to highlight the radical nature of the grace He was about to extend. While His earthly ministry primarily focused on Israel, this encounter in Gentile territory foreshadows the breaking down of the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile, a central theme of the New Covenant. In Christ, the barriers of ethnicity and social status are abolished, as He became the ultimate sacrifice to reconcile all people to God ([Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace")). The Canaanite woman's persistent faith, despite her "outsider" status, anticipates the inclusion of Gentiles into God's family, demonstrating that faith in Jesus is the sole criterion for salvation, not lineage or nationality ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - No Jew or Gentile in Christ")). Jesus' eventual commendation of her "great faith" (Matthew 15:28) and the subsequent healing of her daughter powerfully illustrate His compassion that transcends all boundaries, fulfilling His mission to gather "other sheep" who are not of the Jewish fold ([John 10:16](/john/10-16 "John 10:16 - Jesus' Other Sheep")), ultimately opening the door for the Gospel to reach "all nations" ([Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission")). This encounter, therefore, is a microcosm of the universal scope of Christ's redemptive work, revealing His heart for all humanity.

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 14:15

And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.

Genesis 42:7

¶ And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food.

Mark 10:47

And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, [thou] Son of David, have mercy on me.

Mark 10:48

And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, [Thou] Son of David, have mercy on me.

Lamentations 3:8

Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer.

Psalms 28:1

¶ [A Psalm] of David. Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, [if] thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.

Deuteronomy 8:2

And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, [and] to prove thee, to know what [was] in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.