Jesus choice of words toward a Caananite

[The Dogs]

I've always found Matt 15:22-28 a little confusing.

A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.” Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” “Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

I've read posts saying that "dog" was a term of endearment, another saying that He was exposing His disciple's sin with the word dog. What say you?

[Mike Miller]

Great question. I love this passage, but I always love a passage that gives us something we don't expect. This seems so out of character for Jesus. Did He really say what Matthew says He said? And really, the statement about dogs is not the only thing shocking here. But remember, when we see things that seem out of character for Jesus, it's only because of our perception. In other words, since Jesus doesn't do anything out of character, any time we think He does, it must mean we are either misunderstanding the passage, or we've misunderstood Jesus.

First in this passage is the fact that Jesus totally ignores this woman. She cried out to Jesus, and He "did not answer her a word." Really? Of course, this does not mean He didn't hear her or that He wasn't going to respond. He simply didn't respond right then. So often, we cry out to Jesus, and we think He's ignoring us. So, this lines up with our own personal experiences at times. The key thing to remember, however, is that we have the big picture and know that Jesus really did hear the woman and granted her request. There is a lesson here . . .

Second, Jesus excluded her. When His disciples brought attention to the woman, Jesus said, basically, "I didn't come for her." At least that's what He seems to say. In reality, He said, "I was sent only to the lsot sheep of the house of Israel." To the Jews, that meant He only came for Jews. However, reading John 10, Romans 9-11, and other places, we know that Gentiles are included in those lost sheep, and true Israel consists of all those who have faith in Christ--not just ethnic Jews. Another lesson, perhaps? I think so, for He does indeed grant this woman's petition. More to learn . . .

Third, He humiliated the woman. In essence, He called her a dog. Now, it's true that He uses the less harsh word for dog. One Greek word, kuon, refers to the wild dogs that scavenge, but here, He uses the word, kunarion, which refers to a little dog, or a lap dog. This latter kind of dog is the kind of dog one would have for a pet. Nevertheless, is it ever a compliment to call a woman a dog? Not so much. He is really saying to her, "You don't deserve what I have." Now, what's fascinating is that she agrees! "You're right," she said. "But all I want is a crumb. That will be enough." Then instantly Jesus healed her. Why? He says it's because of her faith. But what does this mean, and why did it happen this way?

Here's the bottom line, Jesus is teaching that it's not just the Jewish people who are to be included in the great feast that Jesus offers. In fact, in the preceding passage, Jesus is explaining how cleanness does not come from external things, but it's internal. And this was in response to Pharisees becoming upset about Jesus' disciples not washing their hands before eating. In other words, the Pharisees thought they would be at the table because they keep the "tradition of the elders." Jesus, however, explains this is not so. Then, we see a Canaanite woman's daughter being healed (made clean), not because she was Jewish or even because she kept the traditions, but because of her faith. And what was her faith? Was her faith in her Jewish heritage? Or did she in some way deserve to be included at the table? Nope. Her faith was more like that of the woman in Matthew 9 with the flow of blood. That woman just wanted to touch the hem of Jesus' garment. And the Canaanite woman just wanted a crumb. So, how are we included in Jesus' feast? Is it by being born a certain way or keeping certain traditions? No. We are invited to His table when we realize we don't deserve it. We have to realize that we are unclean and unworthy and that grace is our only hope. Then, when we trust Jesus only--and not any merit we might think we have--we can be saved.

[gslou]

I remember studing this pasage in Sunday school not that long ago. At first glance, this was very confusing. Why would Jesus act so mean to a poor woman seeking his help? What I took from this is the lesson that even the crumbs, the leftovers from the table of God is more than I deserve, and more than sufficient.