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- Jesus’ teachings: Jesus used dog imagery in his teachings, often to convey spiritual lessons about faith, humility, and discernment. His use of dog metaphors reflected cultural attitudes of the time but also challenged and expanded them.
christianpure.com/learn/dogs-symbolism-bible/Man’s Best Friend in Scripture: What Dogs Symbolize in the ...
Nov 28, 2021 · It's not a sin to mix your metaphors (in case you're wondering). As for the suggestion you offer in your closing sentence, Jesus himself says he is the good shepherd, his sheep knowing his voice and following him. They will not follow hired under-shepherds (John 10:1-5). The metaphors Jesus employs are appropriate for the context in which he ...
Aug 20, 2024 · Jesus acknowledged her faith—calling it “great”—and granted her request (Matthew 15:28). So, according to both the context and language involved, Jesus wasn’t referring to the Canaanite woman as a “dog,” either directly or indirectly.
Apr 11, 2016 · But: what is the source of her: “illness” (i.e. confusion)? Well, Jesus tells us quite plainly: “she is a dog” and a dog likes to eat meat.
- The Context
- The Canaanite Woman’S Request
- Jesus’ Initial Silence
- Jesus’ Statement About His Mission
- The Comparison to Dogs
- The Woman’S Faith and Jesus’ Response
- Interpretation and Implications
- Parallel Account in Mark
- Broader Biblical Themes
- Conclusion
In Matthew 15:21-28, we read: Matthew 15:21-28 (NKJV): “Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, ‘Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.’ But He answered her not a word. And His disciples ca...
The Canaanite woman approached Jesus with a desperate plea for mercy, seeking healing for her demon-possessed daughter. Despite being a Gentile and thus outside the traditional boundaries of Jesus’ ministry focus on Israel, she addressed Jesus with a significant title, “Son of David,” acknowledging His messianic role.
Jesus’ initial silence in response to her plea can be perplexing. It might have been a test of her faithor a moment for the disciples and others around to reflect on their own prejudices and understanding of Jesus’ mission. Matthew 15:23 (NKJV): “But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, ‘Send her away, for she c...
Jesus then stated that His mission was primarily to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel,” highlighting the initial focus of His earthly ministry. Matthew 15:24 (NKJV): “But He answered and said, ‘I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.'” This statement underscores the priority of bringing the message of the Kingdom to the...
The most controversial part of this passage is Jesus’ comparison of giving the children’s bread to dogs when responding to the woman’s continued plea. Matthew 15:26 (NKJV): “But He answered and said, ‘It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.'” The term “little dogs” (Greek: κυναρίοις, kynariois) here is a diminut...
Remarkably, the woman did not take offense but instead demonstrated humilityand faith, acknowledging the truth of Jesus’ metaphor and expressing her belief that even the “crumbs” of His ministry would be sufficient for her need. Matthew 15:27 (NKJV): “And she said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ t...
This passage raises important theological and pastoral questions about Jesus’ mission, the inclusion of Gentiles, and the nature of faith. 1. Testing of Faith: 1.1. Jesus’ initial silence and subsequent remarks were to test and reveal the depth of the Canaanite woman’s faith, as well as to demonstrate to His disciples and others the expansive natur...
The parallel account in Mark 7:24-30 provides additional context but largely follows the same narrative structure. Mark 7:27-28 (NKJV): “But Jesus said to her, ‘Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.’ And she answered and said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs un...
This interaction aligns with several broader themes in the Bible: 1. God’s Universal Plan: 1.1. While Jesus’ ministry started with Israel, God’s plan always included the Gentiles. The prophets foretold the inclusion of the nations in God’s salvation (Isaiah 49:6). 2. Faith Beyond Boundaries: 2.1. Jesus consistently highlighted faith over ethnic or ...
The encounter between Jesus and the Canaanite woman is a profound story that challenges readers to understand the nature of faith, humility, and God’s inclusive mission. While Jesus’ initial response might seem harsh, it serves to highlight the woman’s remarkable faith and the eventual extension of God’s grace to all people, regardless of their bac...
Why did Jesus at first refuse to speak to the Canaanite woman? We know He had no problem crossing gender and racial barriers, as seen e.g. in The Woman at the Well (John 4:1-42). Why did He refer to her (and presumably all Canaanites and probably all Gentiles) as "dogs"?
Aug 16, 2000 · The protagonist is a mother who displays real chutzpah. She gets in Jesus’s face, begging him to heal her daughter. There is only one problem: she is one of the “dogs.” It’s a disparaging metaphor, a derogatory term popular at the time for describing all gentiles.
Dec 15, 2020 · While it may be insulting to be compared with a dog in this kind of metaphor, Jesus does not directly call the woman a ‘dog’ in an overtly abusive manner, which is actually what Paul does in Phil 3.2.
