Mark 7:24-30
Introduction
In today’s passage we see Jesus leave Israel and go to the region of Tyre. When in the region of Tyre, Jesus has an encounter with a pagan woman.
We also have a verse in this passage which has caused some controversy. I am talking about verse 27.
Bear all of this in mind as we examine today’s passage.
Verse 24
In this verse we are told that Jesus went away to the region of Tyre. Today Tyre is in the country of Lebanon. In the time of Jesus, it was 20 miles northwest of Capernaum. Tyre was in Phoenicia and Phoenicia was notoriously pagan. It was the most pagan region in the Middle East. It was a hotbed of idolatry. The Phoenicians worshipped the false god Baal. It’s where the infamous Jezebel came from. This is where Jesus went to in today’s passage.
Jesus went to the region of Tyre because He wanted to go to a place where He would not be recognised. However, as we see at the end of verse 24, it didn’t work out that way.
Verses 25 to 26
Despite His intention in going to the region of Tyre, Jesus soon attracts the attention of a local woman who has heard about Him. This shows us that even in the darkest places, Jesus can be found. Even in this place of idolatry there was a woman who had heard about Jesus.
This woman had a little daughter who had an unclean spirit. An unclean spirit is another name for a demon as we can see in verses 26 and 30.
In verse 25 we are told that the woman fell at the feet of Jesus. This was an expression of pleading and respect. She was desperate for the sake of her daughter. Even though she is an unclean pagan, she treats Jesus with respect. Compare this with the ritually clean Pharisees.
In verse 26 we are told that the woman was a Greek even though some bibles incorrectly use the word, Gentile. So, what does it mean when it says she was a Greek? It means that she spoke Greek and was Hellenised. She was not from Greece. We know this because Mark tells us that she was a Syro-Phoenician. The people of that region were Phoenicians but at that time they were under the control of Syria. And so, they were known as Syro-Phoenicians.
The woman wanted Jesus to cast the demon out of her daughter. She repeatedly asked Him. She was persistent just like the importunate widow who pestered the unjust judge until he relented. See Luke 18:1-8. Just like this woman, we should be persistent with our petitions to the Lord.
Verses 27 to 28
Now we come to the controversial verse 27. Jesus’ answer to the woman seems to be harsh and insensitive. Some people have used this verse to say that Jesus was not sinless. They claim that on this occasion Jesus sinned against this innocent woman – that He demeaned and insulted her. Indeed, calling someone a dog at that time was an insult. In those days dogs were wild, filthy scavengers
So, did Jesus sin against this woman? No, He didn’t. Let me explain why he didn’t sin against her. The Greek word translated as dogs in most bibles actually means little dogs. Jesus is talking about little dogs in someone’s house begging for food under the table and the woman understood this. Unlike most dogs of the time which were wild, there were some small domesticated dogs that lived with families. It was the practice at that time to give these little dogs scraps from the dining table but only after the family had finished eating. However, if during the meal, some food fell from the table, the little dogs were allowed to eat it. The woman clearly understood all of this because she says, “Yes, Lord.” She does not object to what Jesus said to her. Jesus was simply saying that the children should eat first. Now can you see why Jesus did not sin when He spoke to the woman.
When Jesus talks about the children, He is talking about the children of Israel; the Jews. Jesus came primarily to feed the children of Israel. The food for the Jews was not designed to be given to the little dogs. In verse 28 we see that the woman understands that she cannot feast on the food for Israel. All she wants are the crumbs that fall from the table. She knows that she is unworthy.
What does the attitude of this woman say to us as Gentile Christians? That a true believer is like this woman. We should see ourselves as unworthy servants. Although we may only eat of the crumbs at this time, the day will come when we will feast at a wedding banquet with Jesus. And we all have an invitation.
Verses 29 to 30
Because of the faith that this woman showed, Jesus gave her what she wanted.
The demon was cast out of the woman’s daughter simply by the spoken word of Jesus. We can learn from this when we deal with people who have demons.
And Finally
As a Gentile believer never forget that you are a wild olive branch that has been grafted in to the olive tree of Israel.
In terms of redemptive history, we are the dogs.
Because the Jews refused the gift of the Father to them, the Father gave that gift to us who had no claim upon it originally.