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.

But {G1161} Jesus {G2424} said {G2036} unto her {G846}, Let {G863} the children {G5043} first {G4412} be filled {G5526}: for {G1063} it is {G2076} not {G3756} meet {G2570} to take {G2983} the children's {G5043} bread {G740}, and {G2532} to cast {G906} it unto the dogs {G2952}.

He said, "Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children's food and toss it to their pet dogs."

“First let the children have their fill,” He said. “For it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

And he said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s bread and cast it to the dogs.

Commentary

Mark 7:27 captures a crucial moment in Jesus' ministry, revealing His initial focus on the covenant people of Israel while also foreshadowing the eventual expansion of the Gospel to the Gentiles. This verse is part of a dialogue between Jesus and a Syrophoenician woman, who approaches Him seeking healing for her demon-possessed daughter.

Context

Jesus had withdrawn from Galilee to the region of Tyre and Sidon, Gentile territory. A Syrophoenician (or Canaanite, as she is called in the parallel account in Matthew 15:21-28) woman, hearing of His power, came to Him for help. Jesus' reply in verse 27, "Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs," reflects the traditional Jewish understanding of God's blessings and covenant promises being primarily for Israel. This encounter occurs shortly after Jesus' teachings on true defilement, which challenged rigid Jewish traditions and prepared the way for a broader understanding of God's grace (see Mark 7:1-23).

Key Themes

  • Divine Priority and Israel's Prerogative: Jesus' statement, "Let the children first be filled," underscores that His earthly ministry was primarily directed toward the Jewish people, who were the "children" of the covenant. This aligns with His mission statement to the "lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 15:24) and the principle of the Gospel going "to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16).
  • The Metaphor of "Children's Bread" and "Dogs": The "children's bread" represents the spiritual blessings, healing, and salvation offered by the Messiah. The term "dogs" (Greek: kynaria) used here is a diminutive, referring to "little dogs" or "house pets," not wild scavengers. This choice of word softens the analogy, implying that while Gentiles were outside the immediate household of Israel, they were not entirely beyond God's consideration, leaving room for future inclusion.
  • Testing and Revealing Faith: Jesus' seemingly harsh reply serves as a test of the woman's faith and persistence. Her remarkable and humble response in the following verse (Mark 7:28) demonstrates a profound understanding and unwavering trust in Jesus' power and grace, even for those considered "outside."

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "dogs" in this verse, kynaria (κυνάρια), is significant. It is the diminutive form of kyon (κύων), which refers to wild or scavenging dogs. By using kynaria, Jesus likens the Gentiles not to unclean, wild animals, but to the small, domesticated pets that might eat scraps under the table. This subtle linguistic choice suggests that while Gentiles were not the primary recipients of the "children's bread," they were not utterly excluded from God's provision or compassion.

Practical Application

Mark 7:27, especially when read in conjunction with the woman's response, teaches us about the nature of persistence in prayer and humility before God. Even when faced with what seems like a barrier or a difficult truth, true faith perseveres and trusts in God's ultimate goodness and grace. The woman's example encourages us to approach God with a humble heart, recognizing His sovereignty, and to trust that His abundant grace is available to all who believe, regardless of their background or perceived standing. This passage also reminds us that God's divine plan unfolds in stages, ultimately extending His blessings to all humanity, breaking down the old barriers between Jew and Gentile, as seen in the broader narrative of the New Testament (e.g., Ephesians 2:11-22).

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Cross-References

  • Matthew 15:23 (9 votes)

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

  • Matthew 15:28 (9 votes)

    Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great [is] thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

  • Acts 22:21 (5 votes)

    And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.

  • Matthew 7:6 (4 votes)

    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.

  • Matthew 10:5 (4 votes)

    ¶ These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into [any] city of the Samaritans enter ye not:

  • Ephesians 2:12 (3 votes)

    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:

  • Romans 15:8 (2 votes)

    Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises [made] unto the fathers: