21 Jesus went away from there , and withdrew into the district of Tyre and Sidon . 22 And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and began to cry out, saying , "Have mercy on me, Lord , Son of David ; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed ." 23 But He did not answer her a word . And His disciples came and implored Him, saying , "Send her away , because she keeps shouting at us." 24 But He answered and said , "I was sent only e e to the lost sheep of the house of Israel ." 25 But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying , "Lord , help me!" 26 And He answered and said , "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs ." 27 But she said , "Yes , Lord ; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters' table ." 28 Then Jesus said to her, "O woman , your faith is great ; it shall be done for you as you wish ." And her daughter was healed at once e .
29 Departing from there , Jesus went along by the Sea of Galilee , and having gone up on the mountain , He was sitting there . 30 And large crowds came to Him, bringing with them those who were lame , crippled , blind , mute , and many others , and they laid them down at His feet ; and He healed them. 31 So the crowd marveled as they saw the mute speaking , the crippled restored , and the lame walking , and the blind seeing ; and they glorified the God of Israel .
32 And Jesus called His disciples to Him, and said , " I feel compassion for the people , because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing e to eat ; and I do not want to send them away hungry , for they might faint on the way ." 33 The disciples said to Him, "Where would we get so many loaves in this desolate place to satisfy such a large crowd ?" 34 And Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have ?" And they said , "Seven , and a few small fish ." 35 And He directed the people to sit down on the ground ; 36 and He took the seven loaves and the fish ; and giving thanks , He broke them and started giving them to the disciples , and the disciples gave them to the people . 37 And they all ate and were satisfied , and they picked up what was left over of the broken pieces , seven large baskets full . 38 And those who ate were four thousand men , besides women and children . 39 And sending away the crowds , Jesus got into the boat and came to the region of Magadan .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 15:21-39
Commentary on Matthew 15:21-28
(Read Matthew 15:21-28)
The dark corners of the country, the most remote, shall share Christ's influences; afterwards the ends of the earth shall see his salvation. The distress and trouble of her family brought a woman to Christ; and though it is need that drives us to Christ, yet we shall not therefore be driven from him. She did not limit Christ to any particular instance of mercy, but mercy, mercy, is what she begged for: she pleads not merit, but depends upon mercy. It is the duty of parents to pray for their children, and to be earnest in prayer for them, especially for their souls. Have you a son, a daughter, grievously vexed with a proud devil, an unclean devil, a malicious devil, led captive by him at his will? this is a case more deplorable than that of bodily possession, and you must bring them by faith and prayer to Christ, who alone is able to heal them. Many methods of Christ's providence, especially of his grace, in dealing with his people, which are dark and perplexing, may be explained by this story, which teaches that there may be love in Christ's heart while there are frowns in his face; and it encourages us, though he seems ready to slay us, yet to trust in him. Those whom Christ intends most to honour, he humbles to feel their own unworthiness. A proud, unhumbled heart would not have borne this; but she turned it into an argument to support her request. The state of this woman is an emblem of the state of a sinner, deeply conscious of the misery of his soul. The least of Christ is precious to a believer, even the very crumbs of the Bread of life. Of all graces, faith honours Christ most; therefore of all graces Christ honours faith most. He cured her daughter. He spake, and it was done. From hence let such as seek help from the Lord, and receive no gracious answer, learn to turn even their unworthiness and discouragements into pleas for mercy.
Commentary on Matthew 15:29-39
(Read Matthew 15:29-39)
Whatever our case is, the only way to find ease and relief, is to lay it at Christ's feet, to submit it to him, and refer it to his disposal. Those who would have spiritual healing from Christ, must be ruled as he pleases. See what work sin has made; what various diseases human bodies are subject to. Here were such diseases as fancy could neither guess the cause nor the cure of, yet these were subject to the command of Christ. The spiritual cures that Christ works are wonderful. When blind souls are made to see by faith, the dumb to speak in prayer, the maimed and the lame to walk in holy obedience, it is to be wondered at. His power was also shown to the multitude, in the plentiful provision he made for them: the manner is much the same as before. All did eat, and were filled. Those whom Christ feeds, he fills. With Christ there is bread enough, and to spare; supplies of grace for more than seek it, and for those that seek for more. Christ sent away the people. Though he had fed them twice, they must not look for miracles to find their daily bread. Let them go home to their callings and their own tables. Lord, increase our faith, and pardon our unbelief, teaching us to live upon thy fulness and bounty, for all things pertaining to this life, and that which is to come.