SECTION SEVEN TOUR TO TYRE AND SIDON Mark 7:24 to 8:13 1. THE WOMAN'S CURED Mark 7:24-30 (Matthew 15:21-28) 24 And from thence he arose, and went away into the borders of Tyre and Sidon.--The frontier region, or according to Matthew (Matthew 15:21), into the parts of region of Tyre and Sidon. Tyre and Sidon were the two principal cities of Phoenicia, on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Tyre was about twenty miles south of Sidon, and about one hundred miles northwest of Jerusalem. In the days of David and Solomon, Tyre was the leading seaport of the world. It was afterwards taken by the Babylonians, the Persians, and Alexander, but up to the time of Christ it remained a great commercial city. Since then its harbor has been filled with sand, and there remains only a wretched shadow of its former greatness. Both were Gentile cities in a Gentile country. This is the only instance in the Lord's ministry when he went beyond the bounds of Palestine. And he entered into a house, and would have no man know it;--Probably he intended to give private instruction to the apostles. He desired privacy for a short time. and he could not be hid.--He was unable to be hidden. No doubt he used every precaution so that no one might know who or where he was. 25 But straightway a woman, whose little daughter had an unclean spirit, having heard of him,--Of his miracles, arrival, and where he was abiding. came and fell down at his feet.--It seems that she knew where he was and had no trouble in finding him. This was an act denoting reverence and earnest entreaty. Her faith in his power is thus at once manifested. His concealment was the first means in its development. Faith led her to Jesus. Matthew (Matthew 15:22) adds, "0 Lord, thou son of David." It is remarkable that two of the brightest examples of faith seen in the ministry of Christ were exhibited by Gentiles, that of the centurion (Matthew 8:8-9) and of this woman. The fact that she addressed Jesus as the "son of David" shows that she knew of the prophecies concerning the Christ and that he would be the Son of David. 26 Now the woman was a Greek,--Mark describes the woman as a Gentile. The Jews called all persons Greeks who were not of their nation. (Romans 1:14.) The whole world was considered as divided into Jews and Greeks. All who were not Jews were also considered Gentiles. The term "Greek" is here used, as it was frequently by the Jews, in the sense of Gentile. (1 Corinthians 1:24.) After Alexander's conquests, when all the world was in subjection to the Greeks, the Jews divided the world into Jews and Greeks. a Syrophoenician by race.--"Syrophoenician" is compounded of Syrian and Phoenician, and means a Syrian of Phoenicia, Phoenicia being at that time a part of the province of Syria. She was also a Canaanite. (Matthew 15:22.) And she besought him that he would cast forth the demon out of her daughter.--Matthew (Matthew 15:23) says: "He answered her not a word." He neither repelled her nor made favorable answer. There were reasons for hesitations. (Matthew 15:24.) No doubt he intended to have mercy. He delayed to bring out a great lesson. His disciples intervened for her, but he said: "I was not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel." (Matthew 15:24.) That is, to the Jews. His personal mission was to the Jews. 27 And he said unto her, Let the children first be filled:--That is, suffer the children, the Jews, first to be satisfied. The Jews were first to have the gospel and its blessings offered to them. It was not yet time for the Gentiles. The request of the woman was unseasonable. There was, however, hope for her in the future. for it is not meet to take the children's bread--It is not good, proper and right. The Jews considered themselves as the peculiar children of God. To all other nations they were accustomed to apply terms of contempt, of which "dogs" was the most common. "Children's bread" was that which Jesus came to offer to the Jews. and cast it to the dogs.--Throw it to the Gentiles. Gentiles were styled dogs by the Jews. The woman knew that, in comparing the Jews to the children of God's family, and the Gentiles to the dogs without, Jesus simply used customary language of a Jew. He would bring out fully the greatness of her faith. The gospel was offered first to the Jews and then to all. He was putting her faith to a severe test. Many a woman, at such a speech, would have risen in despair, and gone away in anger, but she kept calm. Jesus means to say that he was sent to the Jews. The woman was a Gentile. He meant that it did not comport with the design of his personal ministry to apply benefits intended for the Jews to others. Jesus did not intend to justify or sanction the use of such terms. He meant to try her faith. 28 But she answered and saith unto him, Yea, Lord;--Yea, I admit all you say; it is not proper and right to take away the children's bread and cast it to the dogs. I am indeed one of the dogs--a Gentile--and am willing to take my place as one. It is not fit for the dogs to be fed before the children. even the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs.--I am willing to accept the crumbs--that which is left after all the children are filled. (Verse 27.) Let the children have the best food. Let the Jews have the chief benefit of thy ministry. But the dogs, beneath the table, eat the crumbs. So let me be regarded as a dog. A Gentile, as unworthy of everything. Yet grant one exertion of that almighty power displayed among the Jews, and heal the despised daughter of a despised heathen mother. Grant the dogs this much. The answer of the woman is a wonderful illustration of faith, turning the most untoward circumstances to a good account. We know not which to admire more--the readiness of her wit, or the depth of her humility. 29 And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way;--Her speech showed a strong faith in Jesus. Matthew (Matthew 15:28) says: "0 woman, great is thy faith." We can see how greatness of faith is manifested: (1) she came to Christ under difficulties, (2) she persevered when her prayer seemed to be denied, (3) she still pleaded when obstacles were presented, (4) she waited at the feet of Jesus until he had mercy. Such faith always prevails. the demon is gone out of thy daughter.--Her request is granted. The same hour Jesus said: "Be it done unto thee even as thou wilt." (Matthew 15:28.) The demon left the daughter. 30 And she went away unto her house,--She returned home in full confidence that her child had been or would be blessed. and found the child laid upon the bed, and the demon gone out.--The mother found the Master's declaration verified, and her faith realized. The daughter is no longer raving, or in convulsions, but lying quietly on the bed, healed in consequence of her mother's faith and prayers. Doubtless her mother's heart was full of joy.