II.Humility.

III.Importunity.

IV.Faith. Conclude with a few practical remarks.

(J. B. Jeher, D. D.)

I.Obstacles in our personal circumstances.

II.The concealments of Jesus.

III.The silence of Jesus.

IV.The refusals of Jesus.

V.The reproaches of Jesus.

(Anon.)

I. The quality of the woman.

II. She was a believer.

III. The greatness and strength of her faith; seen in her trials and temptations; and in her victory over them, by her importunity, humility, and resolved confidence.The woman's temptations are four.

I. Christ's silence. Though a sore temptation, this should not yet weaken our faith; for God's delay is for His own glory and our good: to enlarge our desires, and put greater fervency into them.

II. The small assistance she had from the disciples.

III. Christ's seeming to exclude her from His commission.

IV. Christ's answer implying a contempt of her, or at least a strong reason against her.The woman's victory over her temptations.

I.By her importunity.

II.Her humility.

III.Her resolved confidence. All which are the fruits of great faith.

(T. Manton.)

1. Christ is wholly silent.

2. Christ intimates that He had nothing to do with her.

3. Christ seems to answer with reproach and contempt.

II. How THE WAS DISCOVERED IN ITS TRIALS, AND WORKED THROUGH ALL.

1. Though Christ was silent she did not drop, but continued her suit.

2. She passes over the doubt she could not answer, and instead of disputing, adores Him, and prays to Him still.

3. She humbly let pass the (seeming) indignity, and turned that which seemed to make most against her into an argument for her obtaining the mercy she came to Him to beg for.

III. THE HAPPY ISSUE OF THIS, HOW GLORIOUSLY IT WAS REWARDED.

1. Her faith was owned, commended, and admired by the Author of it.

2. The reward of her faith was ample.

(Daniel Wilcox.)

1. Observe that Christ, while He was upon earth, said nothing and did nothing of Himself.

2. Our Lord, who knew the hearts of men, both saw and esteemed the good disposition of this petitioner, but for a time concealed His kind intentions, being willing to exercise her faith and submission, her patience and perseverance.The woman's faith was great —

1. With relation to her religion, and to her country.

2. In comparison with the unbelieving Jews.

3. Considered in itself.

4. Because it stood so severe a trial.

(J. Jortin.)

1. She believed in Jesus before the scene related in this gospel; we distinguish in her conversion that strength of soul which is sure to triumph over all obstacles; all that follows is explained by such a commencement. She was a heathen, and only received God's Word indirectly, through the prejudices of the Jews. The feeble ray which reached her proved sufficient to guide her feet.

2. The conduct of our Lord corresponds with His manner of acting towards the heathen generally, and with His especial designs of mercy towards her. Our Lord did not so treat this woman merely because she was a heathen; but to make His mercy more conspicuous. While He proves He strengthens her. From the heroes of faith He draws back to exercise their courage.

3. See how this woman wrestles with our Lord. Jesus sought retirement. She anticipated His coming. She was alone in seeking Him. She had to force herself into His presence. But Christ could not escape from the faith of this woman. He allows us to conquer Him. She triumphs over the preventives which our Lord opposed to her. Once in the presence of Jesus she in satisfied. His silence. To try her patience. Only for a time. His speech seems cruel. The Word of God does seem sometimes against the child of God. In the love of Christ she finds refuge against His silence and words; His love is only hidden for a moment under harshness. She could not be defeated because she would not doubt. She triumphs.

(Adolphe Monod.)

II. THE LEADING PRINCIPLES OF HER FAITH

1. In this prayer she recognizes the unity of the Deity, "Lord."

2. What a beautiful trait in her character when she prays, "Have mercy on me;" but we know the chief object of her prayer was her daughter. She identifies herself with her daughter's misery.

3. She asks for mercy and help (ver. 25).

4. Regard Jesus as God able to save or destroy.

(F. F. McGlynn, M. A.)

I. THE CHARACTER OF THE INDIVIDUAL.

1. A Greek.

2. A believer in Christ.

II. THE CAUSE OF HER COMING.

III. THE IMPEDIMENTS SHE MET WITH.

1. A long delay.

2. A mortifying rebuke.

3. An apparent refusal.

4. A silent denial.Then her conduct:

1. An humble request.

2. A persevering prayer.

3. An humble confession.

4. An affecting reply.

IV. THE BLESSINGS AT LAST RECEIVED.

1. The principle our Lord commends is her faith; from faith all other graces spring.

2. He granted her request.Improvement:

1. The use we should make of affliction.

2. The efficacy of prayer.

(The Pulpit.)

1. She came to the right person.

2. In a right spirit.

3. With a right plea

II. FAITH'S TRIAL.

1. Christ tried her faith by perfect silence.

2. By seeming indifference.

3. By apparent reproach.

III. FAITH'S APPEAL.

1. She was a devout suppliant.

2. An earnest suppliant.

3. An ingenious suppliant.

IV. FAITH'S TRIUMPH

1. Christ commends her faith.

2. He grants her request.

3. He healed her daughter.

(J. T. Woodhouse.)

1. The first was the seeming unwillingness of the Saviour to have his retirement disturbed by any one, in any way (Mark 7:24).

2. Her case was itself a very unpromising one. She was a Gentile.

3. The coldness in our Lord's behaviour, which seemed to disdain the least attention to her — "He answered her not a word."

4. The conduct of the disciples introduced a still further dissuasion, well calculated to dampen her hope of success.

5. To this was added the still further disheartening answer of the Master, "I am not sent," etc.

6. Children's bread was not to be given to the dogs. This was the current spirit of the religion of the times.

II. THE MEANS OF HER VICTORY.

1. She felt her need, and the true character of her affliction.

2. She credited what she had heard of Christ.

3. And believing as she did, she improved her opportunity. Jesus was in the neighbourhood.

4. She confessed her unworthiness.

5. She had a true and powerful faith.

6. And as the result of her faith, she was invincible in her prayers.

III. THE LESSONS WHICH THIS CASE TEACHES.

1. It impressively reminds us of the sorrowful condition of human life.

2. This gospel assures us where our help is.

3. It indicates how to avail ourselves of our great mercies.

4. Precious encouragement does it bring to us.

(J. A. Seiss, D. D.)

I. THE WOMAN HERSELF. All we know of her origin and feeling is contained in the three terms that are applied to her — Canaanite, Syro-Phoenician. a Greek. The first two imply her race. She belonged to that race that the Hebrews called Canaanites — that is, Lowlanders, for the great Phoenician people had settled themselves in the fertile valleys, and on the maritime plains of Palestine, and there in their walled cities had developed in the highest degree an ancient civilization. To this Phoenician stock she belonged. It was divided into two parts — the African and the Syrian stock. She belonged to the Syrian, to the people who inhabited the narrow strip of land between Lebanon and the sea. The last term "Greek," has of course nothing to do with race, nor does it say anything of her language; but religion. St. Paul divides men into Jew and Greek; the word means heathen. She was one of those that worship Baal and Astarte.

II. IN HER CASE OBSERVE THE WORKINGS OF SORROW. That from the outset there began to operate compensating results which took away some of the bitterness.

1. This sorrow worked out in a greater love "Have mercy on me; my daughter is vexed." As if she and her daughter were one. It was a mitigation, and in some degree a compensation, that with her sorrow grew such love.

2. The love and the sorrow together co-operated to produce something higher still. They enlarged the heart, purified her feeling, lifted the thought to immortality; Astarte could no longer fill her heart. She wanted a deity that could be a God of love, not of passion; who would create purity, not crush it. This I gather from the fact that she calls Christ " Son of David." She began to think trustfully of Israel's God. Such were the workings of sorrow in her heart.

III. AN ILLUSTRATION OF THE GREAT DRAWINGS BETWEEN THE SAVIOUR AND THE SOUL THAT NEEDS HIM. There is something mysterious here. It is not by accident that great mercy and misery meet. What is the secret of that journey to Tyre and Sidon. I suppose the Saviour felt some magnetic need pulling upon His heart, claiming the help of His pity and power. She was fifty miles away; the road was mountainous; in all the journey there and back He cures no other affliction and preaches no sermon; His sole purpose was to minister to this single sufferer. The prophetic soul knows when its Lord is nigh.

IV. THE SERENE RESULT THAT IS REACHED. She learned the power of prayer. The disciples were changed; educated for their missionary work; they see how rich a thing a human heart is. She came asking a mercy for herself, and went away carrying it to others.

(R. Glover.)

1. She confesses her misery when imploring the mercy of Christ.

2. She confesses her weakness when imploring the help of Christ.

3. She confesses her unworthiness by admitting the mission of Christ.

II. THE GREAT FAITH OF THIS WOMAN IS TO BE TRACED IN HER FERVENT PRAYER.

1. Mark her recognition of the character of Christ.

2. Her confidence in the power of Christ,

3. Her earnestness in seeking the aid of Christ.

III. THE GREAT FAITH OF THIS WOMAN IS TO BE DISCOVERED IN HER DETERMINED PERSEVERANCE.

1. Her faith overcame the difficulty of obtaining u personal interview with Christ.

2. It overcame the singularly apparent coldness of Christ.

3. It overcame the limitation of the usual ministrations of Christ.

(J. Wonnacott.)

1. Let us remove the hypocrites; to make of their duplicity an arm against the gospel is an unworthy proceeding. You see their inconsistencies; are you sure you do not exaggerate them? Have you weighed all that Christian faith produces of excellent works? Granting that your complaints are well founded: in what way can they justify your unbelief? They could only do so if you had the fairness to seek their cause in the gospel itself. But van contrast the two. Is it not rather the fidelity that offends you, rather than the faults of Christians?

2. A word to you who believe:

1. Judge yourself as you are seeking what is lacking in others. Saved by grace, shall we not exercise mercy?

2. Let us learn to see in our brethren along with the evil that distresses us, the Rood that we have misunderstood until now.

3. Raise your look to the Master, there van will find peace and certainty.

(E. Bersier, D. D.)

II. THE POWER OF INTERCESSION. It is our duty to pray for others.

III. That this poor woman's reiterated prayers are by our Lord called faith. Great is the faith that prays without ceasing. The sphere of common duty is the sphere also of secret spiritual growth.

IV. Regard again this poor woman thus singled out in all the heathen world to receive the only cure, as a type of the Church of God. The Church, like her, has many sons and daughters grievously vexed with the evil spirit. They are brought to Christ in prayer.

(G. Moberly, D. C. L.)

I. There are many striking features in the character of this woman. Her motherly care, energy, humility, pleading; but Christ selected only one. Faith the root of all, Some think we make too much of faith, and place it out of its proper proportion.

II. The elements which went to make the "great faith." Sorrow seems to have been, if not the cradle, yet the school of her faith. She comes and makes her petition as faith always ought, leaving details with God. The test to which she was put was exceedingly severe.

(J. Vaughan, M,A.)

I. For those who are seeking salvation.

II. For a soul under spiritual darkness.

III. For the believer amidst worldly perplexities.

IV. For the Christian labourer.

V. For the dying saint.

(A. O.)

1. It was based on the most limited knowledge.

2. It conquered natural prejudice in herself, and the fear of its influence in others.

II. WHY CHRIST SO SEVERELY TESTED IT.

1. His first object was to expose and rebuke the intense bigotry of the Jews around Him.

2. He wished to draw out and exhibit the full strength of her faith.Lessons:

1. Christ's mercy and mission extend to all, however vile and outcast they may be.

2. The true way to derive good from Him is by faith, rather than by knowledge or acts of worship.

3. An encouragement to the utmost tenacity and desperation of faith.

4. An illustration of the way in which appearances may deceive us. God may seem to repulse us, but never does so actually.

(Congregational Pulpit.)

(Lapide.)

2. Of Healing. Thrice did Christ commend " great faith," and in each case outside the fold of Israel. In this case the wonder is not that the woman had great faith, but that she had faith at all. Her faith was great because —

I. (1) it would stand trial.(2) It was a wrestling faith. She heard the repulse, yet is neither daunted nor disheartened. She will not take His No. She will even resist His arguments.(3) It was victorious. Just now Jesus seemed to deny the smallest boon; now He opens His treasures, and bids her help herself.

II. Learn from this that when God delays a boon, He does not necessarily deny it.

(J. H. Burn, B. D.)Under this story there is the touch of nature which binds us all together. Let us learn from it —

1. Perseverance. Few things can be reached by a single stride. All success is the outcome of previous patience; the finest pictures result from multitudinous touches of the brush. Let. us keep our faces to the light, and the persevering desire shall at length be gratified.

2. Faith. This is a far larger thing than can be clothed in any form, and the most tenacious profession does not imply that we have that vivid apprehension of the living God which makes us really trust in and rest on Him. Have you faith as well as a creed? Are you daily trusting in the living God amidst all your wants, and sorrows, and sins?

3. Toleration. We are often inclined to look with insular exclusiveness or half-disdainful curiosity on such non-Christians as we come in contact with. Let us remember that Christ took the children's bread and cast it to dogs. With such an example before us, we dare not disclaim any as too degraded to share with us the " one flock and one shepherd."

(Harry Jones, M. A.)Truth, Lord, yet the dogs eat, etc. — The woman's remark is admirable and delightful. It is full indeed of true theology and real philosophy. She apprehended clearly(1) that it was right that our Lord's personal ministry should be devoted to the Jews;(2) that He bore a benignant relation to the Gentiles — that He was not a sectarian Saviour;(3) that it would not in the least interfere with His ministry in relation to the Jews, to put forth by the way His blessed energy in behalf of such suppliant Gentiles as herself. She was not asking Him to forsake Palestine, or the Jews.

(J. Morison, D. D.)

(Luther.)

(Harry Jones, M. A.)

(J. Wells.)

(Bishop Gregg.)

1. In order that by exercising her faith He might strengthen and deepen it.

2. That He might manifest it to others, and so give her as an example to those who stood by, as well as to future generations.

3. That He might not offer an additional stumbling-block to the Jews, to whom the calling-in of the Gentiles was an abomination.

(W. Denton.)Not because He was unwilling to speak, but because there are occasions on which silence is more eloquent and stirring to the thought than speech. Not infrequently silence is golden, while speech is "silvern;" and this was one such occasion.

(J. Morison, D. D.)

(J. Morison, D. D.)

(T. Manton.)

(J. Wells.)

(J. Wells.)

(Bishop Gregg.)

(J. Morison, D. D.)

(C. H. Spurgeon.)

(Salter.)

(Gurnall.)

2. This woman was most desperately resolved. She had made up her mind, I believe, that she would never go back to the place from whence she came till she had received the blessing.

3. I may not leave this picture without observing that this woman triumphantly endured a trial very common among seeking souls. Here is a woman who conquered Christ; let us go by her rule and we will conquer Christ too by His own grace.

I. In the first place, observe that SHE ADMITS THE ACCUSATION BROUGHT AGAINST HER. JESUS called her a dog, and she meekly said, "Truth. Lord." Never play into the devil's hands by excusing sinners in their sins. The woman in this case, if it had been a sound way of getting comfort, would have argued, ".No, Lord, I am not a dog; I may not be all I ought to be, but I am not a dog at any rate; I am a human being. Thou speakest too sharply; good Master, do not be unjust." Instead of that she admits the whole. This showed that she was in a right state of mind, since she admitted in its blackest, heaviest meaning whatever the Saviour might choose to say against her. By night, the glow-worm is bright like a star, and rotten touchwood glistens like molten gold; by the light of day the glow-worm is a miserable insect, and the rotten wood is decay, and nothing more. So with us; until the light comes into us we count ourselves good, but when heaven's light shines our heart is discovered to be rottenness, corruption, and decay. Do not whisper in the mourner's ear that it is not so, and do not delude yourself into the belief that it is not so.

II. But notice, in the second place, SEE ADHERES TO CHRIST NOTWITHSTANDING. Did you notice the force of what she said? "Truth, Lord, yet the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from" — where? "From their Master's table."

III. Furthermore, the woman's great master weapon, the needle gun which she used in her battle, was this, SHE HAD LEARNED THE ART OF GETTING COMFORT OUT OF HER MISERIES. Jesus called her a dog. "Yes," said she, "but then dogs get the crumbs." She could see a silver lining to the black cloud. If I deserved anything there would be the less room for mercy, for something would be due to me as a matter of justice, but as I am a sheer mass of undeservingness, there is room for the Lord to reveal the aboundings of His grace. There is no room for a man to be generous amongst yonder splendid mansions in Belgravia. Suppose a man had thousands of pounds in his pocket, and desired to give it away in charity, he would be terribly hampered amid princely palaces. If he were to knock at the doors of those great houses, and say he wanted an opportunity of being charitable, powdered footmen would slam the door in his face, and tell him to be gone with his impudence. But come along with me; let us wander down the mews, all among the dunghills, and get away into back alleys, where crowds of ragged children are playing amid filth and squalor, where all the people are miserably poor, and where cholera is festering. Now, sir, down with your money-bags; here is plenty of room for your charity; now you may put both your hands into your pocket, and not fear that anybody will refuse you. You may spend your money right and left now with ease and satisfaction. When the God of mercy comes down to distribute mercy, He cannot give it to those who do not want it; but you need forgiveness, for you are full of sin, and you are just the person likely to receive it. "Ah!" saith one, "I am so sick at heart; I cannot believe, I cannot pray." If I saw the doctor's brougham driving along at a great rate through the streets, I should be sure that he was not coming to my house, for I do not require him; but if I had to guess where he was going, I should conclude that he was hastening to some sick or dying person. The Lord Jesus is the Physician of souls. Do try now, thus to find hope in the very hopelessness of thy condition, in whatever aspect that hopelessness may come to thee. The Bible says that thou art dead in sin, conclude then that there is space for Jesus to come, since He is the Resurrection and the Life. Your ruin is your argument for mercy; your poverty is your plea for heavenly alms; and your need is your motive for heavenly goodness. Go as you are, and let your miseries plead for you.

IV. Let me, in the fourth place, notice THE WAY IN WHICH THE WOMAN GAINED COMFORT. SHE THOUGHT GREAT THOUGHTS OF CHRIST. It was a very great thing to her — but she had a high esteem of Christ. She said, "It is nothing to Him — it is but a crumb for Christ to give."

V. And so you see, in the last place, she WON THE VICTORY. She had, first of all, overcome herself. She had conquered in another fight before she wrestled with the Saviour — and that with her own soul.

(C. H. Spurgeon.)

1. It cannot be closed on account of the closed ear and mouth of Christ.

2. Not by the conduct of the disciples.

3. Not by exclusive doctrine which appeared to confine the blessing to a favoured few.

4. Not by a sense of admitted unworthiness.

5. -Not by the darkest and most depressing influences.

II. FAITH NEVER DISPUTES WITH THE LORD.

1. Faith assents to all the Lord says — "Truth, Lord."

2. It worships.

3. She did not suggest that any alteration should be made for her.

III. FAITH ARGUES.

1. She argued from her hopeful position — "I am a dog, but Thou hast come all the way to Sidon, — I am under Thy table."

2. Her next plea was her encouraging relationship — "Master's table."

3. She pleads her association with the children.

4. She pleads the abundance of the provision

5. She looked at things from Christ's point of view.

IV. FAITH WINS HER SUIT.

1. Her faith won a commendation for itself.

2. She gained her desire.This woman is a lesson to all who imagine themselves outside the pale of salvation; an example to all whose efforts after salvation have been apparently repulsed; a lesson to every intercessor.

(C. H. Spurgeon.)

(C. H. Spurgeon)

2. Humility.

3. Importunity.

4. Faith.

(J. B. Jeter, D. D.)

2. It was a mother's faith.

3. It had an aim.

4. It disregarded apparent partiality.

5. It was not discouraged by apparent delay.

6. It was devoid of selfishness.

7. It gathered strength from its exercise.

8. It won.

(B. J. Hoadley).

I. THE PLACE WHERE IT WAS WROUGHT.

II. THE PARTIES ON WHOM.

III. THE IMPULSIVE CAUSE.

IV. The miracle itself, wrought by the woman's faith: in which we have —

1. Christ's heightening of her faith.

2. The granting of her desire.

3. The measure of Christ's bounty — "As thou wilt."

4. The healing of her daughter.

(S. Rutherford.)

2. Christ's love is wise. He holdeth us knocking till our desire be love-sick for Him.

3. His love must not only lead the heart, but also draw. Violence in love is most taking.

(S. Rutherford.)

(S. Rutherford.)

(S. Rutherford.)

     2042   Christ, justice of
     7135   Israel, people of God

Matthew 15:21-29

     5888   inferiority

Matthew 15:22-28

     4134   demons, exorcism
     5285   cures
     5882   impartiality
     8653   importunity, to God

Crumbs and the Bread
'Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. 22. And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto Him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. 23. But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and besought Him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. 24. But He answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 25. Then came she and worshipped …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xv. 21,"Jesus Went Out Thence, and Withdrew into the Parts of Tyre and Sidon. And Behold, a Canaanitish Woman,"
1. This woman of Canaan, who has just now been brought before us in the lesson of the Gospel, shows us an example of humility, and the way of godliness; shows us how to rise from humility unto exaltation. Now she was, as it appears, not of the people of Israel, of whom came the Patriarchs, and Prophets, and the parents of the Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh; of whom the Virgin Mary herself was, who was the Mother of Christ. This woman then was not of this people; but of the Gentiles. For, …
Saint Augustine—sermons on selected lessons of the new testament

The Perseverance of Faith
"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."--Matthew 15:28. I HAVE frequently spoken to you concerning the faith of this Canaanitish woman, of the way in which Christ tried it, and of the manner in which, at length, he honoured it, and granted all that the suppliant sought. The story is so full of meaning, that one might turn it this way, and that way, and the other way, and always see …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 38: 1892

Genesis xxvii. 38
And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? Bless me, even me also, O my father. MATTHEW xv. 27. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master's table. Of these two passages, the first, as we must all remember, is taken from the first lesson of this morning's service; the second is from the morning's gospel. Both speak the same language, and point out, I think, that particular view of the story of Jacob obtaining the blessing …
Thomas Arnold—The Christian Life

Sermon for the Second Sunday in Lent
(From the Gospel for the day) Tells us how God drives forward some of His children by the struggle between the inward and outward man. Matt. xv. 21-28.--"Jesus went thence and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto Him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and besought Him, saying, Send her away, for she …
Susannah Winkworth—The History and Life of the Reverend Doctor John Tauler

How to Make Use of Christ for Cleansing of us from Our Daily Spots.
Having spoken of the way of making use of Christ for removing the guilt of our daily transgressions, we come to speak of the way of making use of Christ, for taking away the guilt that cleaveth to the soul, through daily transgressions; "for every sin defileth the man," Matt. xv. 20; and the best are said to have their spots, and to need washing, which presupposeth filthiness and defilement, Eph. v. 27. John xiii. 8-10. Hence we are so oft called to this duty of washing and making us clean. Isa. …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

Second Withdrawal from Herod's Territory.
^A Matt. XV. 21; ^B Mark VII. 24. ^b 24 And from thence ^a Jesus ^b arose, and went ^a out ^b away ^a and withdrew into the parts { ^b borders} of Tyre and Sidon. [The journey here is indicated in marked terms because it differs from any previously recorded, for it was the first time that Jesus ever entered a foreign or heathen country. Some commentators contend from the use of the word "borders" by Mark that Jesus did not cross over the boundary, but the point is not well taken, for Mark vii. 31 …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Another Avoiding of Herod's Territory.
^A Matt. XV. 29; ^B Mark VII. 31. ^b 31 And ^a Jesus ^b again went out. ^a And departed thence, ^b from the borders of Tyre, and came through Sidon, ^a and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; ^b through the midst of the borders of Decapolis. ^a and he went up into a mountain, and sat down there. [From Tyre Jesus proceeded northward to Sidon and thence eastward across the mountains and the headwaters of the Jordan to the neighborhood of Damascus. Here he turned southward and approached the Sea of Galilee …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus Fails to Attend the Third Passover.
Scribes Reproach Him for Disregarding Tradition. (Galilee, Probably Capernaum, Spring a.d. 29.) ^A Matt. XV. 1-20; ^B Mark VII. 1-23; ^D John VII. 1. ^d 1 And after these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Judæa, because the Jews sought to kill him. [John told us in his last chapter that the passover was near at hand. He here makes a general statement which shows that Jesus did not attend this passover. The reason for his absence is given at John v. 18.] ^a 1 Then there …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Healing a Phoenician Woman's Daughter.
(Region of Tyre and Sidon.) ^A Matt. XV. 22-28; ^B Mark VII. 24-30. ^b And he entered into a house, and would have no man know it [Jesus sought concealment for the purposes noted in the last section. He also, no doubt, desired an opportunity to impact private instruction to the twelve]; and he could not be hid. [The fame of Jesus had spread far and wide, and he and his disciples were too well known to escape the notice of any who had seen them or heard them described.] 25 But { ^a 22 And} behold, …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Deaf Stammerer Healed and Four Thousand Fed.
^A Matt. XV. 30-39; ^B Mark VII. 32-VIII. 9. ^b 32 And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech [The man had evidently learned to speak before he lost his hearing. Some think that defective hearing had caused the impediment in his speech, but verse 35 suggests that he was tongue-tied]; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him. 33 And he took him aside from the multitude privately, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat, and touched his tongue [He separated …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Third Withdrawal from Herod's Territory.
Subdivision A. Pharisaic Leaven. A Blind Man Healed. (Magadan and Bethsaida. Probably Summer, a.d. 29.) ^A Matt. XV. 39-XVI. 12; ^B Mark VIII. 10-26. ^b 10 And straightway he entered into the boat with his disciples, ^a and came into the borders of Magadan. ^b into the parts of Dalmanutha. [It appears from the context that he crossed the lake to the west shore. Commentators, therefore, pretty generally think that Magadan is another form of the name Magdala, and that Dalmanutha was either another …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Cavils of the Pharisees Concerning Purification, and the Teaching of the Lord Concerning Purity - the Traditions Concerning Hand-Washing' and Vows. '
As we follow the narrative, confirmatory evidence of what had preceded springs up at almost every step. It is quite in accordance with the abrupt departure of Jesus from Capernaum, and its motives, that when, so far from finding rest and privacy at Bethsaida (east of the Jordan), a greater multitude than ever had there gathered around Him, which would fain have proclaimed Him King, He resolved on immediate return to the western shore, with the view of seeking a quieter retreat, even though it were …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Jesus and the Syro-Phoenician Woman
THE purpose of Christ to withdraw His disciples from the excitement of Galilee, and from what might follow the execution of the Baptist, had been interrupted by the events at Bethsaida-Julias, but it was not changed. On the contrary, it must have been intensified. That wild, popular outburst, which had almost forced upon Him a Jewish Messiah-Kingship; the discussion with the Jerusalem Scribes about the washing of hands on the following day; the Discourses of the Sabbath, and the spreading disaffection, …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

A Group of Miracles among a Semi-Heathen Population
If even the brief stay of Jesus in that friendly Jewish home by the borders of Tyre could not remain unknown, the fame of the healing of the Syro-Phoenician maiden would soon have rendered impossible that privacy and retirement, which had been the chief object of His leaving Capernaum. Accordingly, when the two Paschal days were ended, He resumed His journey, extending it far beyond any previously undertaken, perhaps beyond what had been originally intended. The borders of Palestine proper, though …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Feeding of the Four Thousand - to Dalmanutha - the Sign from Heaven' - Journey to Cæsarea Philippi - what is the Leaven of The
THEY might well gather to Jesus in their thousands, with their wants of body and soul, these sheep wandering without a shepherd; for His Ministry in that district, as formerly in Galilee, was about to draw to a close. And here it is remarkable, that each time His prolonged stay and Ministry in a district were brought to a close with some supper, so to speak, some festive entertainment on his part. The Galilean Ministry had closed with the feeding of the five thousand, the guests being mostly from …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Intercourse of Jesus with the Pagans and the Samaritans.
Following out these principles, Jesus despised all religion which was not of the heart. The vain practices of the devotees,[1] the exterior strictness, which trusted to formality for salvation, had in him a mortal enemy. He cared little for fasting.[2] He preferred forgiveness to sacrifice.[3] The love of God, charity and mutual forgiveness, were his whole law.[4] Nothing could be less priestly. The priest, by his office, ever advocates public sacrifice, of which he is the appointed minister; he …
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus

To the High and Mighty Prince Charles, Prince of Wales.
Tolle malos, extolle pios, cognosce teipsum: Sacra tene, paci consule, disce pati. Christ Jesus, the Prince of princes, bless your Highness with length of days, and an increase of all graces, which may make you truly prosperous in this life, and eternally happy in that which is to come. Jonathan shot three arrows to drive David further off from Saul's fury; and this is the third epistle which I have written, to draw your Highness nearer to God's favour, by directing your heart to begin, like Josiah, …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Introductory Note.
[a.d. 145-220.] When our Lord repulsed the woman of Canaan (Matt. xv. 22) with apparent harshness, he applied to her people the epithet dogs, with which the children of Israel had thought it piety to reproach them. When He accepted her faith and caused it to be recorded for our learning, He did something more: He reversed the curse of the Canaanite and showed that the Church was designed "for all people;" Catholic alike for all time and for all sorts and conditions of men. Thus the North-African …
Tertullian—Apology

Manifestly Also in the Gospel we Find the Mouth of the Heart...
32. Manifestly also in the Gospel we find the mouth of the heart: so that in one place the Lord is found to have mentioned the mouth both of the body and of the heart, where he saith, "Are ye also yet without understanding? Do ye not yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth, goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? but those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart, and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, …
St. Augustine—On Lying

Prayers on Pilgrimage. --"Lord Help Me. " --Matt. xv. 25
Prayers on Pilgrimage.--"Lord help me."--Matt. xv. 25. II. Blessed be Thy name, Jesus Christ!--the same Yesterday, to-day, for ever, What from Thee my soul shall sever, While I hear Thy voice, And in Thee rejoice? Guide me with Thine eye; Warn to fight or fly, When the foe, a lion raging, Or, with serpent guile assuaging, Comes in wrath to tear, Or by fraud ensnare. Hold me with Thine hand, For by faith I stand; On Thy strength my sole reliance, In Thy truth my whole affiance; Then where'er I …
James Montgomery—Sacred Poems and Hymns

Luther's Fourth Preface
To Valentine Bapst's Hymn-book, Leipzig, 1545. The xcvi Psalm saith: "Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth." The service of God in the old dispensation, under the law of Moses, was hard and wearisome. Many and divers sacrifices had men to offer, of all that they possessed, both in house and in field, which the people, being idle and covetous, did grudgingly or for some temporal advantage; as the prophet Malachi saith, chap. i., "who is there even among you that would shut …
Leonard Woolsey Bacon—The Hymns of Martin Luther

The Woman of Canaan
Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, …
Richard Newton—The Life of Jesus Christ for the Young