Matthew 15:26

But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast [it] to dogs.

But {G1161} he answered {G611} and said {G2036}, It is {G2076} not {G3756} meet {G2570} to take {G2983} the children's {G5043} bread {G740}, and {G2532} to cast {G906} it to dogs {G2952}.

He answered, "It is not right to take the children's food and toss it to their pet dogs."

But Jesus replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

And he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread and cast it to the dogs.

In Matthew 15:26, Jesus responds to the desperate plea of a Canaanite woman whose daughter is afflicted by a demon. This verse captures a moment of intense dialogue, where Jesus uses a challenging analogy that initially seems harsh but serves a profound purpose.

Context

This verse is part of a significant encounter between Jesus and a Gentile woman, often identified as a Syrophoenician in Mark 7:26. She approaches Jesus, pleading for her demon-possessed daughter. Initially, Jesus appears unresponsive, and then states in Matthew 15:24, "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Despite this, the woman persists, humbling herself before Him. Verse 26 is Jesus's direct, yet parabolic, reply to her continued request, presenting a test of her faith and understanding of God's established order.

Key Themes

  • The Priority of Israel's Covenant: Jesus's statement reflects the historical and theological truth that God's covenant blessings and the first proclamation of the Gospel were primarily directed towards the Jewish people, often referred to as "the children." This priority is seen throughout Jesus's ministry, as His mission was first to gather the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
  • Testing of Faith: Far from a rejection, Jesus's response acts as a test of the woman's faith, humility, and persistence. He often engaged in such challenges to reveal and strengthen the faith of those seeking Him, demonstrating that true faith endures and understands divine timing.
  • Humility and Persistence: The woman's remarkable reply in Matthew 15:27 ("Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.") showcases extraordinary humility and spiritual insight. Her persistence ultimately leads to her daughter's healing, illustrating the power of unwavering faith.
  • Foreshadowing Gentile Inclusion: Although the immediate focus was on Israel, this interaction subtly foreshadows the future expansion of God's grace to the Gentiles. The woman's faith, despite being a non-Jew, is highly commended by Jesus in Matthew 15:28, signaling the eventual breaking down of barriers between Jew and Gentile, as later fully revealed in the New Testament (e.g., Ephesians 2:14).

Linguistic Insights

The term "dogs" used by Jesus here is significant. The original Greek word is kynaria (κυνάρια), which specifically refers to "little dogs" or "house pets," rather than the wild, scavenging dogs (kyon, κύων) that were often viewed as unclean and contemptible in ancient Jewish culture. This choice of word softens the analogy considerably. It implies household pets that might gather scraps under the table, aligning perfectly with the woman's clever and humble response. This nuance suggests that Jesus was not intending a harsh insult but rather a challenge couched within a familiar domestic scene.

Reflection and Application

Matthew 15:26 teaches us about the nature of God's plan and the power of faith. It reminds us that God's ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9), and His timing is perfect. We are encouraged to approach God with persistent prayer and humble hearts, even when we don't immediately understand His responses. The Canaanite woman's unwavering faith serves as a timeless example that God honors those who seek Him diligently, regardless of their background, ultimately extending His grace to all who believe.

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.

  • Mark 7:27

    But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast [it] unto the dogs.

  • Mark 7:28

    And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs.

  • Matthew 7:6

    Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

  • Philippians 3:2

    Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.

  • Ephesians 2:12

    That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

  • Galatians 2:15

    We [who are] Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,

  • Romans 9:4

    Who are Israelites; to whom [pertaineth] the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service [of God], and the promises;

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