Keraia
Mark 7

Mark 7:27

The Faith of the Gentile Woman · Mark 7:24–30
Read Mark 7

Translations

Modern
“First let the children have their fill,” He said. “For it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
Traditional
But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.
Literal
And He was saying to her, “Permit the children first to be satisfied; for it is not good to take the bread of the children and to cast it to the dogs.”
Latin
Qui dixit illi: Sine prius saturari filios: non est enim bonum sumere panem filiorum, et mittere canibus.

Interlinear

Greek
English
“First let the children have their fill,” He said. “For it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

Notes

Mark 7:27–28

  • Jesus responds to the woman in what might seem like a severe way. But their interaction shows that Jesus wanted to see her faith (compare Matthew 15:28).

  • Jesus did not use the word first to exclude her as a Gentile (non-Jew) from God’s grace (kindness and favor). Instead, it showed that his mission was directed first to the Jews (Acts 13:46; Romans 1:16).

    The woman replied with humility and faith. She acknowledged the priority of the Jewish people but argued that there was more than enough food for the dogs as well.

    Jewish writings often referred to Gentiles as dogs. Dogs were seen as dirty scavengers rather than family pets (see also study note on Revelation 22:15).

    The woman’s persistence and acknowledgment of Jesus as Lord were rewarded.

Mark 7:24–30

The discussion of clean and unclean and of undefiled and defiled in 7:1–23 has prepared Mark's audience for the story of the Gentile woman’s faith. Jews considered Gentiles to be defiled because they did not keep the regulations of the Torah (see Acts 10:1–11:18, especially 10:14–15; 11:2–3, 8–9).

Events

Parallels

Matthew 15:21–28

People

Jesus: The Son of God and Savior of the world

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Corban Dog Heal, Healing Lebanon Mark, Gospel of Miracle Pharisees Talitha Cumi Tyre

Topics

Demons: The Daughter of the Syrophoenician Woman Faith in Christ, Exemplified Faith: Faith in Christ: The Syrophoenician Woman Faith: Trial of The Syrophoenician Woman Jesus, the Christ: Heals the Daughter of the Syro-Phoenician Woman (Near Tyre and Sidon) Jesus, the Christ: Miracles of The Daughter of the Syro-Phoenician Woman Healed Miracles of Jesus, in Chronological Order: Heals the Daughter of the Non-Jewish, Syro-Phoenician Woman Prayer: Importunity In Prayer: Importunity in The Non-Jewish, Syro-Phoenician Woman Sidon: Jesus Visits the Region of, and Heals the Daughter of the Non-Jewish, Syro-Phoenician Woman Syro-Phoenician: The Nationality of a Non-Jewish Woman Whose Daughter Was Cured by Jesus Tyre: City of Heals the Daughter of the Non-Jewish, Syrophenician Woman Near